Updates: The Latest in Beijing Family News
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[Last Updated: 1/5 8.10pm] Check back daily for the latest updates on school and education-related information in light of COVID-19. As always, please check with your school directly for the most updated information.
(1/5 8.03pm) BIBA follows the latest school teaching and learning requirements
As of Monday (Jan 4) schools have received the following requirements:
– ECC & KG teachers will provide online home school communication and home learning materials for children. Divisional leaders will make separate contact with all teachers to outline the teaching and learning plan for each of the grade levels as well as the social and emotional support relevant to their division.
-Grade 1 to Grade 8, Grade 10 and Grade 11 students will have online classes at home.
-Grades 12 & Grade 9 (Blended learning) – Parents have the option for their child to study on campus for face-to-face classes or parents can choose for their child to study on-line. It is important to note that the Grade 12 students have mock exams next week on campus and should be in attendance for these important assessments in each of their subject areas.
-Any student or staff member accessing the campus must provide valid proof of negative COVID-19 test results within 3 days, a temperature check, a green code on the Beijing Health Kit, and a completed Health Declaration Form.
Beijing International Bilingual School (BIBA) staff are advised to stay in Beijing for the holidays unless it is necessary. Avoid gathering or high/mid-risk areas. Staff and students must wear masks throughout the school day. Canteen staff and cleaning staff must wear disposable gloves. No external visitor is allowed on campus.
Clean and disinfect frequently within the school between use as much as possible. Increase outdoor air ventilation, using caution in highly polluted areas.
(1/4 5.45pm) Quarantine policy remains the same
A misleading tweet from Global Times sparked discussion today. Those people who entered China via other ports but have not fully observed 21 days of quarantine must finish a full 21 days before going out in Beijing. This does not mean a 21-day hotel quarantine. The quarantine period is and has been “14+7” which means 14 in a hotel and 7 at home.
The quarantine policy remains 14 days hotel quarantine and more stringent enforcement of 7 days at home afterward.
(1/3 4.50pm) Two cases were reported yesterday in Beijing, one domestic transmission, and one imported.
Domestic case: 8-month-old female residing in Caiyuan community, Nancai Township, Shunyi. On Dec 31 she was determined to have had close contact with another case and was put under quarantine. On Jan 1 she was confirmed as a case and transported to Ditan Hospital for treatment. Her condition is classified as normal.
Imported case: 24-year-old male from China, working in Pakistan. Arrived from Pakistan on CA946 on Dec 18, tested negative, and was placed in quarantine. On Jan 1, he tested positive and was transported to Ditan Hospital for treatment. His condition is classified as light.
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(1/3 11.30am) International School of Beijing (ISB) moves Early Years 3 through Grade 8 to virtual learning through Jan 15
According to ISB leadership, beginning Tues, Jan 5, ISB will return to online learning for grades EY3 through Grade 8. ISB students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 have the option of attending classes on campus if they so choose. The authorities requested that ISB also make e-learning an option for these grades, but the Principal feels confident enough in their safety measures to encourage on-campus learning as well.
The authorities have granted permission for all High School grades to return to school.
All after school activities are also canceled. Mon, Jan 4, is now a preparation day, with Microsoft Team meetings to be scheduled between Principals and parents. Students will also be given time frames to pick up any necessary materials from school on that day as well.
(1/3 9.36am) The British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi moves to online learning for all years except Years 10, 11, 12, and 13
As reported on their website, BSB Shunyi Principal Richard Thornhill announced that all the Shunyi Education Commission will not permit the full opening of schools at this time. All students will move to online learning with the exception of Years 10, 11, 12, and 13, provided they supply proof of a negative COVID-19 test. It was previously reported that only Years 11 and 13 could return to campus, but an update was posted last night.
Staff will work on campus Monday and students should expect their normal timetable to begin on Tues, Jan 5. Teachers will teach from their classrooms and "homework will continue to be set as normal," according to BSB Shunyi's website.
(1/2 7.36pm) Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) Early Years, Junior School and Key Stage 3 to resume online learning through Jan 15
From DCB: “In line with the latest government’s instructions for the international schools in Shunyi, all the DCB Early Years, Junior School and Key Stage 3 (Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9) students will resume online learning at home for the first two weeks (4th – 15th January) of Term Two. For the Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 students (Year 10, 11, 12 and 13), they will be able to return to the campus on the morning of Monday, 4th January.
Any student or staff member accessing the campus or school buses must provide valid proof of negative COVID-19 test results, green code on the Beijing Health Kit, a completed 14-day temperature record form, and a completed Health Declaration Form. No external visitor is allowed on campus unless absolutely necessary. Towards the end of the second week of Term Two, the College will review the situation and consult the government authorities for further guidance.”
(1/2 4.06pm) Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) Requires COVID-19 testing to return to campus
In order to enter campus on Wednesday, January 6, all students, teachers, staff, and contracted staff must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test dated December 24 or later and taken within Beijing.
If you have traveled outside of Beijing on or after December 24, then you will need to have a new COVID-19 test dated December 30 or later and taken within Beijing.
In addition, all upcoming external activities and coffee mornings are canceled, and the enhanced health and safety measures on campus will be followed as noted in their letter sent to families today.
(1/2 9am) A top official from Shunyi district yesterday urged residents to avoid all unnecessary travel outside the home and to plan on spending the Spring Festival within the district.
While outlining a series of measures to get the latest outbreak under control, Shunyi District Committee Standing Committee Deputy Chief Zhi Xianwei urged people to cancel or postpone all non-essential trips outside the district.
Zhi also said all 51 of the district’s after-school training centers have been ordered closed, as well as movie theaters, swimming pools, and other recreational facilities that normally draw crowds.
(12/31 7.49pm) First hand COVID testing
In anticipation of her school’s request for COVID tests, Eloise Wester and her dad went down to Ditan hospital. Click here to watch their first-hand COVID testing experience.
(12/30 3.47pm) YCIS keeps to the original CNY schedule
After communicating with the Education Commission YCIS has received confirmation that the school may keep to their current school calendar with the start of the second semester as scheduled on Jan 5 and their Chinese New Year holiday also as scheduled starting on Feb 6.
(12/30 11.24am) 4-year-old boy contracts COVID
On Dec 13 a 4-year-old boy visited an area in Chaoyang District considered a medium risk with his father (presumed to be the Hanting Hotel/Qingfeng Steamed Bun complex, currently the only medium risk area in Chaoyang). On Dec 19 when the news broke about that cluster, the boy’s father reported their visit to their community and began quarantining at home, as is the protocol. On Dec 29 the boy tested positive and was transported to Ditan Hospital for treatment. His case is classified as light.
(12/30 11.19am) Testing required to return to Dulwich College Beijing
Based on the latest government instructions, everyone, including the staff, third-party staff, and students need to present valid proof of negative COVID-19 test results to enter the campus.
(12/29 5.35pm) Beijing CDC’s recommendations for CNY holiday
During today’s press conference Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deputy director Pang Xinghuo said that the current situation in Beijing is severe and complex and with the Chinese New Year holiday fast approaching, the flow and gathering of people is likely to increase the spread of the latest COVID-19 outbreak. He reminds Beijing residents to reduce large gatherings and adhere to good personal hygiene habits such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently, ventilating frequently, gathering less, maintaining a one-meter distance, and using sharing utensils when dining with others.
(12/29 5.12pm) Official changes to CNY holiday in public schools
From today’s press conference a spokesperson for the Municipal Education Commission announced that Beijing’s public elementary schools up to grade 6 will take the Chinese New Year holiday two weeks ahead of schedule starting from Jan 16. Grades 7 and 8 will take the Chinese New Year holiday one week ahead of schedule starting from Jan 23. High school students will take Chinese New Year as originally scheduled started from Jan 30.
No update yet on whether this will affect private schools and international schools.
(12/29 3pm) COVID testing at Beijing United Family Hospital
BJU sent out a WeChat post reminding patients that they can request either an urgent or regular PCR nucleic acid test. The results of a regular test are available within 15 hours, while the urgent test results are available 5-8 hours after the test is complete. Results will be sent in both English and Chinese to your email address of choice and are also available via your Patient Portal on the same day. Other major hospitals offering COVID testing include Chaoyang Hospital and Ditan Hospital. More information can be found on theBeijinger.
Beijing International Bilingual Academy (BIBA) issued a letter to parents informing them that in accordance to the latest notice from the Education Committee, all teachers and students are required to provide nucleic acid negative test certificates before returning to school.
(12/29 8.42am) New COVID-19 cases detected
Seven additional cases were detected yesterday in Beijing, all residents of Shunyi. It’s the highest one-day total in a long while, most likely the result of over a million tests being conducted in the district over the last 3 days.
(12/28 11.49pm) Student needs negative COVID-19 test to return to BSB, Shunyi
BSB, Shunyi plans on welcoming back its students on Jan 4. The school has asked all staff and students (including those aged 6 and under) must have a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test before they return to school.
(12/28 11.30am) The Children’s House Montessori Kindergarten Winter Camp – Chinese Treasures cancels field trip
In light of the newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 The Children’s House has decided to cancel its field trip to the Song Art Gallery located in Shunyi.
(12/28 11.30am) Testing required to return to ISB
International School of Beijing issued a letter to parents requiring that all students, teachers, staff, and contracted staff to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within Beijing dated no earlier than Dec 24 in order to enter the campus.
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