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School Re-entry

The safety and well-being of students, families and staff is our greatest priority. We’re taking new precautions during the 2020-21 school year to protect everyone’s health.

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.

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. This strategy outlines important guidelines around screening for illness, handwashing and sanitizing, physical distancing where possible, extra cleaning and disinfecting measures, cohorts, masks and personal protective equipment (PPE). 

In some cases, our Division strategy may exceed requirements set out by the province. To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, schools will follow the guidelines in our Division strategy.

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.

ONLINE LEARNING OPTION

In-person classes might not be the right choice for all families during the 2020-21 school year, depending on their personal circumstances and well-being. That is why we are offering online learning throughout 2020-21.

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. 

QUARTER 4 SELECTION: Sign in to your parent SchoolZone account between 8 a.m. March 3 and 4 p.m. on March 17, 2021 to tell us how your child will learn.

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

You will need to make your selection for Quarter 4 between 8 a.m. on March 3 and 4 p.m. on March 17, 2021. 

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 March 17, 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