βDear SD43 families,
As you are likely aware, this past week has presented us with new challenges as BC has been severely impacted by flooding and landslides as a result of recent extreme weather. In response, the Province has issued two temporary emergency orders to prioritize fuel for essential vehicles and to restrict non-essential travel in some areas.
The two temporary orders in place until November 30, 2021, are summarized as follows:
- Fuel Restrictions β BC is prioritizing fuel for essential vehicles. If you are not operating an essential vehicle, you are limited to purchasing 30 litres of gasoline per trip to the gas station.
- Travel Restrictions β Non-essential travel along severely damaged highways is restricted. Individuals should not be travelling for vacations or tourism, casual shopping, social visits and recreational activities.
I am asking each of us within the SD43 community to do our part and attempt to conserve fuel as much as possible in the next couple of weeks in support of these temporary measures. If it is possible for you or your child to walk, cycle or use public transit to commute to work or school, please consider these alternate modes of transportation. If you must drive, please consider carpooling while adhering to the current health protocols of handwashing and use of masks. If we pull together as a community, we can reduce fuel consumption to the greatest extent possible over the short-term and support all British Columbians by allowing essential service use of fuel for recovery and supply chain priorities.
Within our district schools, our priority is the continuation of services to students. It is important that children continue to attend school and that we maintain in-person instruction and educational continuity as much as possible as we head into winter break. With just a few weeks of school left for 2021, I encourage and challenge each of us to follow these temporary emergency orders to the best of our ability.
Thank you for doing your part to assist in BC's recovery efforts!
Sincerely,
Patricia Gartland
Superintendent/CEO