COVID-19 Vaccine Encouragement
An open letter to all New Westminster Schools staff,
As you know, last week the Board of Education decided, while fully endorsing and supporting vaccinations as a vital layer of protections available to us, that our District will not be implementing a vaccine mandate for staff.
The decision was based on recommendations from health authorities, research and analysis that covered many facets of the work we do. What that data showed us was: we have every reason to believe that the vast majority of you are fully vaccinated. So to all of you who are fully vaccinated, or are on your way to meeting that marker, thank you. It’s an important and easy way to protect both yourselves and all the people around you – at work and at home.
To those of you who have had questions, who haven’t found the time, or who have been resistant for some other reason, we are jointly appealing to you now to take steps to join your peers in getting vaccinated.
For those who are able to, vaccinations are important way to protect everyone around us, especially as we seek to protect those who cannot be vaccinated or are immune compromised.
This appeal is also about our concern for your individual health as well. For your safety, and for that of those around you, we encourage anyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible, for those who have yet to do so. And we’ll offer this reminder as well: you can take paid time off to get vaccinated, using the “COVID Vaccination” option in our absence reporting system to do so.
Regardless of vaccination status, we thank every single one of you for the steps you’re taking each day to safely support our school communities.
In appreciation,
The Board of Education for New Westminster
New Westminster Schools (School District No. 40)
New Westminster Teachers’ Union
CUPE Local 409
New Westminster Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association