The Safe Work & Learning Environment: Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination of Students Participating in Extra-Curricular Activities policy received first reading by the Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) Board of Trustees on Sept. 7 and second reading on Sept. 21.
The policy was scheduled to move to third reading at the Oct. 5 Board Meeting; however, as noted in a
news release from the Manitoba Government on Oct. 1: "Future changes (to Public Health orders) may include requiring all those eligible to be vaccinated to provide proof of vaccination to participate in indoor recreational activities and allowing partially vaccinated youth aged 12 to 17 (with one vaccine dose) to participate. Conversations will continue with sports organizations and other stakeholders to seek feedback.”
Based on this information, Superintendent Christian Michalik has recommended that the Board delay third reading until further clarity is provided by Public Health to, hopefully, allow for a consistent, province-wide approach. At the Oct. 5 Board Meeting, we will review the feedback we have received from schools thus far. Over the coming days, we intend to continue finding ways to survey our community on this matter.
Our efforts to seek feedback from students, staff and families in LRSD suggest very similar sentiments to the recent
Probe Research on the importance of vaccination. It is anticipated that the Board will move ahead with third reading of the policy at its October 19 meeting.