Photo: Government of Alberta

By Emily Keller

schools reopening

Province aiming to have students back in school by September

Jun 10, 2020 | 4:14 PM

The province has announced its re-entry plan for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.

Alberta’s Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange presented three different scenarios based around the pandemic at the COVID-19 update for Wednesday.

The first would see nearly normal operations resume with students returning to classrooms and schools. Some additional health measures would be put in place, such as students and staff being expected to practice physical distancing, and when distancing is not possible such as in classrooms or on busses, stricter health precautions would be expected.

The measures under scenario one would also include frequent hand-washing and sanitizing before and after entering schools and classrooms, daily cleaning of surfaces at schools and on busses, and cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as bathrooms more than daily if needed.

Parents would be expected to keep students home when they are sick, and family members with symptoms are asked to stay away from schools. There would be routine screening of staff and students, as well as increased reminders of respiratory etiquette, such as sneezing or coughing in the elbow. If students were to show symptoms while at school, they may be required to isolate themselves in a separate room until they are taken home by a parent or guardian.

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Staff and students would not be mandated to wear masks, but if there is prolonged close contact for longer than 15 minutes, masks may be required. A strict no-sharing policy of supplies would be in place unless required.

The second scenario would see a modified schedule and attendance for students, with a maximum of 15 people allowed in a classroom and physical distancing of two metres, with the same health and hygiene precautions as scenario one.

The third scenario would see students continuing to learn from home.

Minister LaGrange says that they are targeting the first scenario as best they can.

“Teachers, school boards and parents did their absolute best to adapt to a different way of learning, as they guided and supported students at home since March, and our students did their best to adapt to that learning from home. We all know though, that students learn best in the classroom with their teachers and their peers, provided that it is safe to do so.”

“Based on the information we have at hand right now, we expect that students will be at school in September.”

She does say that the scenarios for schools may differ regionally based on the COVID-19 situation.

“I do want to stress that the decision for which scenario schools must follow will be decided by the government, based on public health guidance, not local school authorities. School authorities will not be able to pick and choose which scenario they are be operating in.”

Minister LaGrange did add that local school authorities would be able to decide how they meet the public health guidelines under whichever scenario they are operating in, and they will also remain responsible for developing their own academic calendars.

Diploma exams for the 2020-21 school year would be expected to continue if a school is operating under scenario one or two but may be cancelled in scenario three. The same would go for Grade Six and Nine Provincial Achievement Tests (PATS).

Schools will be allowed to reduce time spent teaching non-core subjects to allow for more instruction time on core subjects if deemed appropriate.

School authorities will have to allow for the full participation and inclusion of students with disabilities under each scenario, and mental health supports should be in place for students and staff.

If a COVID-19 case is found in a school, health authorities will work with school authorities to prevent spread, and Alberta Health Services may request the closure of in-person classes if necessary.

The province will reach a final decision by August 1.