AUGUST
2020
Back-to-School
Safety Guide
A Visit from Jamaica’s Consul-GeneralDesignate to Toronto
E D ITO R S ’ MESSAGE
Clover & Dayton
September is traditionally a time of new beginnings. And, although school openings have been pushed back to October, now is still a good time to start the preparations. So, we’ve put together a great guide on what you can do now and during the school year to help keep your children safe and motivated. We also have some photos from a recent visit by Jamaica’s Consul-General-designate to Toronto who stopped by on his way to his own new beginning. As always, send us your questions and comments: vmcorporateaffairs@myvmgroup.com
CONTENTS
Pages 2-3
7 Tips to Help Your Child Stay COVID-free
Page 4-5
Jamaica’s Consul-GeneralDesignate visits VM
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BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY GUIDE
7 Tips to Help Your Child Stay COVID-Free It’s that time of year again when summer is waning and both parents and children start preparing to meet up with their teachers and classmates again. This year, however, back-to-school requires an unprecedented combination of adaptation, innovation and an abundance of caution as schools reopen in the middle of the global pandemic. While distance learning is an option for some older children and tertiary students, many will be returning physically to the classroom. There are safety precautions schools can take, as we’ve seen in countries like New Zealand and cities like New York, and the Ministry of Education has published guidelines for our schools*. But what should parents and children be doing at home to support these efforts? We spoke with some parents, a teacher and a doctor to get ideas about how you can help keep your children safe before you send them out and after they get home. KEEP THEM AWARE – Talk with your children about COVID-19. Tell them what it is, what it does and how to keep safe. Have them watch relevant news stories. This will help them understand why they need to do things like keep their masks on and sanitize their hands frequently. It will also prepare them for the new rules at school. If you need information, the WHO’s website is a good place to start. KEEP THEM VIGILANT – Teach children what to look out for to avoid getting sick. Staying away from anyone with a cough or a runny nose is a must. They should also avoid sharing materials like pencils and crayons. They should understand that being ‘selfish’ means being safe at this time. STAY CALM – All this pandemic stuff can be a bit daunting, so be calm and reassuring. If they’re experiencing anxiety or fear, find out what’s at the root of it. Regular talks can dispel any myths they might have and give them solutions to problems they may be worried about.
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DEVELOP A ROUTINE – Wearing a mask at home and using a timer to wash or sanitize hands at regular intervals are good ways to get them used to these practices. You should also include taking off shoes and clothes as soon as you get home and bathing before interacting with anyone else in the house. You’ll probably have to get grandparents used to this one too.
SUPPORT THEM – For online learners, parents need to be very aware of what’s happening at school. Make sure they’re showing up and staying engaged; keep track of assignments, assisting as needed to ensure they’re doing the work. Many parents are already doing this but this version of school is still new to our children and teachers won’t able to have the same kind of influence and engagement as they would in person. BE A GOOD EXAMPLE – Let them see you taking all the safety precautions you’re teaching them to do. It’s also a good idea, especially if you’re working from home, to expose them to your work ethic. Show them how you prepare and dress for work – even if it’s virtual, prioritize meetings and take notes. Children learn a lot from our actions, so doing all the things we want them to do is a great tutorial. And most importantly ... STAY POSITIVE – While there’s still a lot we don’t know about the coronavirus, life needs to go on. So keep yourself informed and keep a positive attitude, as this too will pass. Children take emotional cues from us as well, and sometimes the best thing you can do for them in a time of uncertainty, to paraphrase Disney’s Dory, is to “just keep smiling”.
* Education in Emergencies: A Manual for the Reopening of Educational Institutions – https://drive.google.com/file/d/15mrtIC_sxFgJjt47xULnxrm2HKyhnH4T/ view?usp=drivesdk ** The World Health Organization (WHO) information page – https://www.who.int/ emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
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VM Tidbits
It’s a Courtesy Call Victoria Mutual recently received a courtesy from Mr. Lincoln Downer, the new Consul-Generaldesignate of Jamaica to Toronto Canada. The visit was in preparation for his assignment as he assumes his duties in Toronto in August 2020.
Courtney Campbell (right), Group President & CEO, Victoria Mutual, presents a token to Lincoln Downer, Consul-General-designate of Jamaica to Toronto, Canada.
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Courtney Campbell (right), Group President & CEO, Victoria Mutual, engages conversation with Lincoln Downer, Consul-General-designate of Jamaica to Toronto, Canada.
Peter Reid (right), CEO, VMBS greets Lincoln Downer, Consul-General-designate of Jamaica to Toronto Canada at a recent Courtesy Call at Victoria Mutual, Half Way Tree, St Andrew. Downer assumes his duties in Toronto in August 2020.
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Wear your Masks! Do your part! Wear your masks to protect yourself and those around you. Remember, it is an offence to be in public spaces without a mask.
In Case You Missed It
Let’s do all we can to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Taking more stringent actions to protect against COVID-19 Dear VM Team, The Ministry of Health & Wellness has been reporting significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases in several parishes across the island. As a result of this spike, it is now imperative that we take more stringent actions to protect our Team Members and Members/ customers/clients from potential exposure while still conducting our business. Effective immediately, the following protocols MUST be followed: 1.
All senior leaders are required to reassess the opportunity for Team Members to work remotely and to provide the Group Human Resources Department with a comprehensive list of all Team Members who, with the available resources, can work remotely. Where a department can function with 100% remote work, this MUST be done. Our Group Human Resources Department, after further consultation with each Senior Leader, will MANDATE the remote work facility for all such Team Members, with immediate effect. These Team Members will not be allowed to return to their substantive place of work without first receiving approval from the Group Human Resources Department, upon the recommendation of the Senior Leader. All Leaders are required to use the available technology to manage work and to assess productivity as required.
2. All Team Members who report to work with flu-like symptoms, will be asked to return home for selfmonitoring and should not return to work without first contacting the Group Human Resources Department. 3. An HR hotline/WhatsApp messenger will be established and communicated to all Team Members to address concerns arising out of the remote work arrangements and to remind Team Members of available support services. 4. Mandatory social distancing and the use of masks, once in the presence of other Team Members or Members/customers/clients, are to be instituted with immediate effect.
5. All group meetings MUST be conducted virtually with immediate effect. 6. Team Members who, by virtue of their role (e.g. front-line Team Members) are unable to work remotely and who plan/need to travel overseas, MUST discuss this with their Leader before proceeding and, upon their return, will be asked to stay at home for 14 days on no-paid leave, if vacation leave is exhausted. 7. All front-line Team Members MUST sanitise before and after each customer transaction. 8. Team Members must report immediately, any breach noticed in any location by any Team Member and/or Member/customer/client to their Leader, Manager - Safety, Security and Office Services or the Group Human Resources Department.
Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility Please note that our Executive, Occupational Health and Safety and Group Human Resources Teams will continue to monitor the Ministry of Health & Wellness’ and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) health communications about COVID-19 and will take the required steps to protect our Team Members and Members/customers/clients against the spread of COVID-19. However, our Team Members are required to play their part to protect themselves and others, as safety begins with each of us. Dr Dayton Robinson AVP – Group Human Resources