Parents start tracking COVID on their own, pulling kids out of school in Kamloops

Some parents of students at Arthur Stevenson Elementary School in Kamloops are keeping their kids home because of a lack of transparency regarding COVID-19 cases in the school and a recent spike in positive tests.

Some parents created a Facebook page yesterday, Dec. 13, where they are openly sharing information about their children’s COVID tests results, the classrooms their children are attending and any risks of exposure.

The page states it is not a place for judgement or vaccine debate, just communication and support.

Amanda Horner’s daughter attends kindergarten at the school. Horner runs a daycare nearby and is an administrator on the page.  

“We have a poll where parents can divulge information pertaining to COVID,” she said. “We do not receive updates or newsletters from the school about cases or risks of exposure, so we don’t trust the system.”

Horner said her daughter has not missed very much school this year and has received three negative COVID tests to date. She said this week, COVID cases have exploded at the school.

“I think it has to do with an opening of some after school programs and Big Buddy classes,” Horner said. “Parents need to be aware of the situation. There are currently six classes affected with a total of 19 positive cases and we only know that by sharing information about our kids on the Facebook page.”

Horner said she is keeping her child home until January.

“Today there are only six students in my daughter’s class because parents are pulling their kids out. As of yesterday, an entire Grade 4 class has been told to isolate but the rest of the parents are not getting communication about it.”

Horner said Interior Health Authority contacts parents when their child has been exposed or a positive test has been confirmed, but Horner said there is too much delay involved.

“With the way it is set up, kids are going to school and interacting while waiting for information from Interior Health, therefore unknowingly infecting others,” she said. “My friend got a positive test for her daughter and informed the school. She was told they had to wait for Interior Health.”

Horner said she's getting lots of with messages from concerned parents reporting information, since an impromptu parent gathering and discussion happened outside the school yesterday.

Staff at Arthur Stevenson Elementary School diverted questions to the School District 73 Board.

Grant Reilly, assistant superintendent for Elementary Education and Early Learning for the district, said Interior Health has the big job of contact tracing.

“When the (health) authority deems there is a risk they determine what response is required and inform all potentially affected individuals on what steps to take,” Reilly said. “Sometimes a self-monitor letter is sent out and sometimes a self-isolation letter is sent out, meaning students stay home for a certain number of days.”

The school sends out the information from the health authority to parents.

He said the situation is tough, and the last thing the district wants is for parents and students to get sick.

“It can be difficult for families when a positive or potentially positive case is identified because sometimes there is a lapse of time before the information is delivered,” Reilly said. “At the school level we can’t give out information until we are instructed to.”

Reilly said he understands the frustration coming from families and reiterates the district wants to ensure the health and safety of students and families.

— This story was updated at 3:27 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, to include comment from School District 73.

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