Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff

By Shaun Penner

Schools Back Tuesday

Grande Prairie school divisions ready for return to in-person classes Tuesday

May 24, 2021 | 6:00 AM

Grade K-12 students in the Grande Prairie area will be returning to the classroom on Tuesday for the first time since May 6, following the decision by Alberta Education to shift all schools in the province online to alleviate pressures created by the number of staff, students, and substitute teachers in isolation from either testing positive for COVID-19 or for being a close contact.

As a division who had faced those operational pressures, Peace Wapiti Public School Division Superintendent Bob Stewart says that shift to online was a big help in easing those issues.

He adds with that, he is excited to get kids back in the classroom for the end of the school year.

“The two-week shift to remote learning has predictably reduced the cases in schools,” said Stewart. “In March, we traced a total of 29 cases, in April we helped with 51 cases, and so far in May we’ve traced 20 cases in our schools.”

“We’re excited to see our kids come back.”

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While he is pleased students will be returning, he says the division is calling on all students and families to remain vigilant against the spread of COVID-19 and to continue to follow all guidelines like staying home if you have symptoms and limiting your close contacts.

He adds if cases once again rise late in the year, he does have some concerns.

“If we don’t collectively remain vigilant, I do have some concerns about effectively informing any close contacts if schools happen to have cases at the end of June,” said Stewart. “That is because any positive cases that we may have in our schools at that time may not come to our attention until early July.”

Stewart notes that should a student test positive shortly after the school year ends, he does not yet know how the division will be able to aid in close contact notification with school staff off for the summer.

“So, it is very important to continue to follow the guidelines, monitor yourself for any symptoms, and stay home if you are not well.”

While he trusts that schools will continue to mitigate any wide spread of the virus with the protocols in place, he does understand if families are hesitant to send their children back to school.

“I understand that there may be some parents that don’t want to send their kids back,” said Stewart. “And if they don’t, that’s okay. We totally support the parents.”

Meanwhile, Grande Prairie Public School Division Superintendent Sandy McDonald says in an emailed statement to EverythingGP that they are also excited to have students return for the end of the year.

“Student learning is maximized when students and teachers can learn together, in person, in our schools, and we remain committed to providing safe working and learning environments for the rest of this year,” said McDonald.

“We are grateful to our parents and students for their commitment to returning to in-person learning and look forward to all the learning that will occur over the next five weeks.”

The last day of classes for Grande Prairie area school divisions is June 25.