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School Re-entry

DIVISION RE-ENTRY STRATEGY 

Read our COVID-19 Re-entry Strategy to learn about steps we’re taking to keep students and staff as safe as possible in our schools. Schools will follow the guidelines in our Division strategy, and families can help do their part by completing the Government of Alberta’s COVID-19 daily checklist for students (including students over 18). The checklist helps families determine if it is safe for their child to attend school.

ONLINE LEARNING FOR GRADES 7–12

UPDATED APRIL 20

Students in Grade 7–12 who are taking in-person classes for Quarter 4 will: 

  • move to online learning from Thursday, April 22 to Wednesday, May 5
  • return to in-person learning on Thursday, May 6

We believe the timing is right to make this shift for Grades 7–12 students. This two-week period of online learning prevents students from joining new cohorts when Quarter 4 begins on April 22. 

Students can expect learning routines will remain the same and their classroom teachers will support them online, like when we shifted students to online learning in December. 

These changes will not affect families who selected online learning for Quarter 4.

STUDENTS IN NEED OF SPECIALIZED SUPPORTS

Some students in need of specialized supports (including Pre-Kindergarten) will be able to continue with in-person learning, as they did when classes moved online in December.

Families can still book appointments for assessments, specialized interventions or other supports with their school. As always, visitors must follow safety protocols in our Division Re-entry Strategy  and follow the province’s mandatory public health measures. 

For more information, read our news story announcing the shift to online learning.

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR 2021-22

UPDATED MARCH 4

We look forward to welcoming all students, staff and families back into our schools and classrooms. However, we understand that the evolving nature of the pandemic means this may not be possible at the start of the 2021-22 school year.

FAMILY CHOICE

We know families may still wish to have a choice in how their child learns, so we will continue offering in-person or online learning for at least the first half of 2021-22. We also know some families have found online learning best suits their child’s needs.

ONLINE LEARNING AT ARGYLL CENTRE

Does your child thrive in online learning? If you wish to choose online learning for the entire 2021-22 school year, you will need to select Argyll Centre as your child’s school when registering or pre-enrolling. 

Argyll Centre offers online learning for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12. When making this choice, it’s important to know students enrolled in online learning at Argyll Centre: 

  • can expect consistent learning groups for the school year
  • can expect live online teacher instruction that is similar to the online learning format offered at all schools this past year
  • will not be connected to their current school as was the case this year—if students choose to return to their previous Division school for the 2022-2023 school year, in some circumstances (lottery schools, entrance criteria schools, programs of choice), their space is not guaranteed

KEY DATES

March 8-April 15, 2021: Families across the Division pre-enrol their children to tell us the school they’d like to attend next year.  

  • If you want your child(ren) to learn online for the whole year, select Argyll Centre.
  • If you are comfortable with choice during the first half of the school year (September-January), select your designated or preferred school. 

June 21-August 12, 2021: If you are choosing in-person or online learning at other Division schools (not Argyll Centre) for the first half of the school year, you will make your selection in SchoolZone. 

January 2022: If a full return to in-person learning is not possible due to the pandemic, families will be asked again to choose in-person or online learning for the rest of the school year. More information will be shared closer to the second half of the school year.

Read our news story to learn more about these changes and what families need to know. 

DIPLOMA EXAMS

UPDATED NOVEMBER 25
For the rest of the 2020-21 school year, high school students can choose to write a diploma exam or receive an exemption for the April, June and August 2021 exams. Students are encouraged to talk to their family and teachers, and review more information from Alberta Education.

PROVINCIAL ACHIEVEMENT TESTS

UPDATED OCTOBER 21
For the 2020-21 school year, students in Grade 6 and 9 will not write the Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs). We’ve heard from many of our families and schools that writing tests like this are adding pressure and anxiety. By opting out, we hope to alleviate some of the stress students are experiencing as a result of COVID-19. If you have any questions, contact your principal.

FAMILY CHOICE

Families can decide, at four key times throughout the school year, whether their child will attend school in-person or participate in online learning. 

The family choice deadlines help us make decisions about teaching assignments and what resources are needed to support your child’s learning for the next quarter. Learn more about the quarterly system. 

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THE FAMILY CHOICE DEADLINE

WHEN WILL I HEAR FROM MY CHILD'S TEACHER? 

Quarter 4 begins Apr. 21. Since there are no classes that day, families who choose online learning may not hear from their child’s teacher until classes start on Apr. 22.

CHANGING LEARNING OPTIONS AFTER THE DEADLINE

After the deadline, students cannot move from in-person to online learning.

IF PARENTS CHOOSE TOWHAT HAPPENS
Keep their child home after the deadline 
  • Students are not placed in an online class
  • Students receive work from their classroom teacher to complete at home
  • Parents will be responsible for guiding their child's learning
 
Move their child to in-person learning after the deadline 
  • Contact the school principal to find out if there is room in a specific grade  

SAFETY MEASURES

Schools and classes will look different as we all follow new health measures. We have a shared responsibility to protect each other’s well-being and help maintain a safe school environment. Our Division Re-entry Strategy outlines important guidelines around wearing masks, staying at home when ill, physical distancing, enhanced cleaning and more. 

ROUTINE HEALTH SCREENING

Everyone is expected to follow the Government of Alberta’s health-screening requirements. 

Use the province’s COVID-19 daily checklist for students (including students over 18) or the daily checklist for adults every day to decide if: 

  • your child should attend school
  • you are permitted inside the school as a staff member or visitor who has an appointment 

The daily checklist for students is available in multiple languages under the Daily health checks section. 

Families and visitors are not required to submit the checklist. It is a tool to assess whether or not you can enter the school.

STAY-AT-HOME POLICY

Use the province’s COVID-19 daily checklist for students (including students over 18) or daily checklist for adults to determine if: 

  • you or your child need to stay home and seek health-care advice from Health Link 811 or your primary health-care provider
  • you or your child need to use the Alberta Health Services COVID-19 self-assessment tool to see if you need to be tested for COVID-19

MASKS ARE REQUIRED

Masks are an important way to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, particularly when people are indoors and physical distancing is a challenge. Masks are included on school supply lists, and every student in the Division is provided with two reusable masks. Schools keep a small supply of masks available in case a student forgets to bring theirs. 

ALL STAFF AND STUDENTS IN GRADES 4 TO 12

Wearing a mask is required for all staff, even when wearing face shields, and students in Grades 4 to 12 because it is not possible to physically distance in all of our classrooms.

STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 3

Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 are encouraged to wear a mask if they are physically, psychologically or developmentally able to do so.

Individuals who are physically, psychologically or developmentally unable to wear a mask, or if they cannot wear one for reasons under the Alberta Human Rights Act, are not required to wear a mask. Talk to your school principal if this applies to your child. Learn more about how to choose and wear a mask.

IF COVID-19 IS CONFIRMED IN A SCHOOL

We understand how important it is to keep you informed about what’s happening at your child’s school. 

If a case of COVID-19 is confirmed in your school and your child is required to isolate, your school will contact you directly to let you know. Your child’s school will support their learning while they remain at home. 

Alberta Health Services and school officials work together to:

STAY UP TO DATE

Watch for updates on our website, SchoolZone, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We may share important school updates through SchoolMessenger as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.

LETTERS TO FAMILIES