Please note that we have been advised that while School is online and the current situation with the spread of Covid-19 in our communities that programs like Lytehouse should not function in person (either indoor or outdoor). We will keep you updated via this website and our text system, you can text ‘lytehouse’ to 709 701 3336 to join (at no cost).
We are making plans to move to online programming, and while we know that our students are not best engaged online, we are hoping to do our best to provide opportunities for them to connect to their community and continue to grow in their LYM relationships/connections.
We acknowledge that following a full week of class online, students are not interested in more online programming on their Friday evenings. So we’ll be hosting online opportunities (via the zoom application) on Wednesday evenings instead.
We hope your students stay safe and well in this season and we are available to connect with them remotely to encourage and support them. We also look forward to seeing them in person again soon when it is safe to do so.
Please be advised that in consultation with the PAONL (Bethesda’s governing body) and the information provided on the Newfoundland and Labrador Covid-19 Guidance Website, we are acknowledging that Students who attend Lytehouse Youth Events do not need to provide proof of Vaccination.
Students may be asked to provide proof of vaccination if attending a scheduled Lytehouse event at a location/business/organization that does require proof of vaccination.
Please find the excerpt from the Government Guidance below:
Children who turn 12 have three months from their birthday to get fully vaccinated. Businesses and organizations will check the child’s identification to confirm that it has been less than three months since their 12th birthday. If this is the case, they will be able to access certain businesses and activities without showing proof of vaccination.
Children and youth ages 12 to 18 years are not required to provide proof of vaccination where they are participating in the following activities:
Indoor sports or recreational activities, including those practiced at arenas, indoor gyms and fitness facilities, yoga studios, and dance studios
Indoor group music, art, dance, and drama activities
Dedicated children’s religious or faith-based programs (e.g. Sunday School) [emphasis added]
Children and youth are required to provide proof of vaccination when they are spectators of the activities listed above, and in all other settings where proof of vaccination is required.” (source)
Hello Students/Families,
I am writing to bring some clarification regarding our gatherings at LYM in light of the new masking update.
If any of you have questions regarding masking at Lytehouse, we are still waiting official direction from our governing body (PAONL). But we typically fall under the COVID guidelines of After-School Programs and Day Camps as well as Faith Based Gatherings. The flow and engagement of a Lytehouse event is more like a Day Camp and so we adhere mostly to those guidlines.
For after-school programs, here is what the Covid NL website notes regarding masks:
Youth: "Non-medical masks are recommended, but not required, for youth ages 5 and older, when indoors."
Staff (aka: Volunteers): "Non-medical masks are recommended, but not required, for after school program and day camp staff. Masks and gloves should be available in the event someone becomes unwell while attending the program."
The main hurdle for Lytehouse is that students are mostly challenged by the regulation of distancing. They naturally gravitate toward one another. For reference, the distancing note for this kind of program is pasted below.
Distancing: "A physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) should be maintained, as much as possible, recognizing that this may be challenging for younger participants."
This is all contingent on students being divided into groups of smaller numbers, in case of spread/contamination/contact tracing. So, we will need to be vigilant on these other guidelines. Please remind your student of the importance of distancing and following the other guidelines outlined for being at Lytehouse, we earnestly desire the safety and wellbeing of all our students, leaders, and their respective families. So their active adherence to the guidelines is so very important.
For the most part, until we have more clarifying instruction, we ask that students bring masks to wear when they’re not able to consistently maintain proper physical distancing. We will ask our leaders to do the same.
Also, parents and students certainly have the freedom to make their own judgement if they prefer to wear their masks more often.
If you have additional questions, please contact me and I will try my best to answer them.
Our prayers are with you, and we are in this together!
Pastor Crystal