Homestay Review
Homestay Refresher
Parents from around the world entrust the safety and well-being of their children
Welcoming families embrace students as their own family members
Family environment creates authentic cultural and language learning
Homestay Coordinators
Lori McPhail
MBSS CNB GMS
Carolina Moreno Nathalie Messent KSS DRK KLO
GESS RSS RMS SVM
Wendy Burridge OKM CFM
Karlee Sieben
Activities Coordinator 24 HOUR EMERGENCY NUMBER
250-801-5684
Administration & Support Staff
Raquel Steen
Assistant Superintendent
Administrative Assistants Suzanne Jilek Heather Oishi Julie Melia
Steve Cann
District Principal International Education
Violeta Malfair
District Administrator International Education
ELL Support Teachers GESS Daphne Brown KSS Nicki Graham & Lana Skelton OKM Lynn Simpson MBSS Darren Pendergast & Derek Smith RSS Michele Ginnell & Elizabeth Baerg
Homestay Responsibilities • • • • • •
Provide a nurturing home environment Provide regular, nutritious meals and snacks Monitor and support the physical and emotional well-being of student Monitor school engagement, absences and punctuality Maintain contact with school concerning student progress Communicate with homestay coordinator regarding issues, safety & medical concerns, overnight travel outside of city limits
Importance of Communication to Program
Good News & Celebrations
Issues about school, behaviour, family updates
Medical & Safety Concerns
Overnight trips and travel information
EMERGENCY NUMBER: 250-801-5684 Never assume a teenager has informed all adults who need to know. Over-communication is better than no communication.
Key to a Quality Program Communication
Communication with natural parents should be limited to pleasantries and highlights If a Natural Parent contacts you with a concern; Politely advise the natural parent to contact their agent Let your Homestay Coordinator know of the situation
Travel Policies Families are encouraged to include student in family vacation plans Host family should provide accommodation, meals and transportation (excluding air travel) Student provide cost of activities and spending money Confirm that student has necessary travel documents needed if traveling to another country (Visa or ESTA)
Travel With Host Families Travel within BC
Email the homestay coordinator with details of any overnight trips including dates, destination and contact information. Contact the school to excuse your student from school
Travel outside of BC Submit a completed Travel Request Form . This form includes a section that requires a signature of the natural parent(s). Completed travel forms must be submitted to Homestay Coordinator. Travel by airplane must be pre-approved prior to booking flights Contact the school to excuse your student from school during the trip.
Travel outside of Canada Submit a completed Travel Request Form. This form includes a section that requires a signature of the natural parent(s). All travel outside of Canada must be pre-approved by the program at least two weeks prior to the planned trip International travel may require special documentation such as Visa, ESTA
Travel Request Form ((link))
Travel With Other Supervisors Travel with Natural Parents in BC Student Travel with SD23 Staff Student Travelling alone – Not allowed unless approved by program
Respite If student is unable to travel with family Host family is responsible to make alternate arrangements with another host family from our program when possible Host family needs to confirm details with Homestay Coordinator in advance. Compensation for host families who hosts your student when your family is away ($30 per night to be paid at drop-off time) If alternate supervisory arrangements are made, the supervisor must be over 25 and have a CRC (not staying with a program homestay family)
Freedom of faith, without indoctrination Students are not to take driving lessons or drive while in our program No riding with an “L” drivers. No riding with “N” drivers to school functions during school hours. No alcohol, drugs, smoking, e-cigs No piercing or tattoos Check your email daily and our website periodically Homestay commitment is until June 30 . Please do not invite students to stay after June 30. Student can be moved without notice by our program at any time. However, we strive to resolve and mediate issues prior to moving students unless it is an emergency Cannot host for other schools, programs or agencies while hosting a SD23 student Inform Home Insurance that a non-family member is living in your home
Homestay Compensation The monthly compensation rate for hosting a student is $900 for a full month. Partial months are pro-rated at a rate of $30.00 per day. Partial months are most common during arrivals, departures, and during student homestay moves. Method of Payment: Direct Deposit payments will be made at the end of the month.
Medical §All the international students have Private Medical Insurance – Study Insured Canada §Students staying 10 months or longer will also receive BC MSP. §Study Insured becomes extended health insurance once BC medical is in place §Be aware and sensitive with medical conditions and needs §Please take students to the public clinic/hospital or use mobile doctor service §Policy details available on program website and www.studyinsured.com/centralokanagan §Consult with the program before agreeing to any medical interventions such as surgery
One contact number for all medical or mental health assistance
Payment of services covered by Study Insured No payment required Method 1: Use the Virtual Health Service 1.866.883.9787
Payment of services covered by Study Insured No payment required Method 2: Go to a Medical Clinic with direct billing
“Find a Doctor” feature available on program website or www.studyinsured.com/centralokanagan
Payment of services covered by Study Insured Payment required at clinics without direct billing Submit online claim form and receipts Reimbursement through Sidekick (pre-paid Visa)
www.studyinsured.com/centralokanagan
Arrival REQUIREMENTS
• Agents, natural parents and students have been provided with information about travel requirements and quarantine requirements • Student friendly version was created. Agents and parents received additional info • Link to Student Arrival Guide
Travellers arriving in Canada must: • Complete the federal ArriveCAN application • Submit a negative COVID test results prior to boarding the flight (72 hours prior) • Fully Vaccinated students do not need to Quarantine • On-Arrival COVID test at first Canadian Airport for unvaccinated. • Unvaccinated students must quarantine for 14 days.
(Day 1 is arrival day)
• Report COVID-19 self assessment daily during quarantine using the ArriveCAN app • Day 8 COVID Self-assessment test for students in Quarantine.
Students receive testing Kit at 1st Canadian Airport. To be sent by Courier.
QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
COVID-19 BC Resources • • • • • • •
Self-assessment check Where to call for help (multi-languages) Where to access help on-line Translated content Mental well-being resources Self-isolation and self-monitoring App survey
What to do if a student develops flu-like symptoms • COVID Self-Assessment https://bc.thrive.health/ • Contact 8-1-1 for advice • May be advised to get COVID test Interior Health COVID-19 Test Booking Form • Inform Homestay Coordinator • Do not attend school if demonstrating symptoms
https://bc.thrive.health/
BC COVID-19 Support App
School Start Up In July, the Province of British Columbia announced that students and families can expect to have a "near-normal" return to school in September. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/back-to-school-plansbc-1.6069237
With this announcement, this means that students can expect; • • • • • •
In-class instruction for 100% of the time Full school days No mandatory learning groups Secondary School courses to return to the semester system (4 classes for 5 months) Field trips may be possible Extra-curricular opportunities for sports, drama, clubs, etc. may be possible
KEY START UP DATES DATE
EVENT
August 21st – 23rd
Suggested arrival dates if 14-day self-isolation required Virtual orientation sessions if 14-day self-isolation required Suggested arrival dates if self-isolation not required In-person school orientation & English assessment for new students Statutory Holiday - Labour Day - office and schools closed First day of school - half day session
August 24th – Sept. 3rd August 28th - 31st September 1st – 3rd September 6th September 7th September 10th September 15th – 18th
School orientation & English assessment for late arrivals International Student Welcome Events
Arrivals Please check in with International program staff at the airport • Welcome bag • Confirm quarantine status Flight Changes If you hear of any flight change information from your student, please inform Homestay Coordinator
Activities
Activities Calendar August activity for students not in quarantine Gyro Beach Drop–in
Wednesday, August 25th (10:30 – 2:30)
Program Activities 19 Greens Family Golfing (family drop-in)
August 21st – September 26th
Green Bay Student Welcome Activity
September 13th –16th – (1:00pm-4:30pm)
O'Keefe Ranch Haunted Corn Maze
October 13th – (6pm-9pm)
Capri Lanes Bowling
November 15th- 18th – (4pm-6pm)
Landmark Grand 10 Holiday Family Movie
December 4th – (11am-1pm)
(Open weekends only after September long weekend)
QUESTIONS