Photo: Government of Alberta

By Shane Clausing

return to the classroom

All Alberta schools to officially return to in-person learning January 10

Jan 5, 2022 | 3:39 PM

Despite daily COVID-19 cases reaching record high numbers across, the Alberta government has announced all K-12 students will be returning to in-person learning on January 10.

Last week, the province announced it was delaying the return to the classroom for some students who were scheduled to return on January 4.

In order to get students back into the classroom safely, the province announced on December 30 they will be distributing 8.6 million at-home rapid test kits, as well as dishing out 16.5 million masks to schools. The rapid test kits being distributed will equate to two at-home five-test kits for each individual staff and student.

“Children who learn in-person belong in the classroom, and they will be there with the added safety of rapid tests and medical-grade masks,” said Alberta Education Minister Adrianna LaGrange.

“These will be distributed to schools as an added layer of protection to lower the risk of transmission of the Omicron variant. The government will begin distributing shipments later this week and all schools with have their shipments by the end of next week.”

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The province recorded a daily record of 4,752 new cases of COVID-19, with a test positivity rate of 36.9 per cent. While COVID-19 numbers continue to grow, chief medical officer of health for the province, Dr. Deena Hinshaw says having students return to the classroom is the right decision.

“In-person learning is critically important for many kids education and social developments and can provide a sense of normalcy in these challenging times. There are no perfect, completely risk-free solutions available to us or any jurisdiction around the world. I believe the provincial approach balances the many competing risks that our children face,’ Dr. Hinshaw explained.

“The use of rapid testing and medical masks in addition to the measures already in place will help protect students and staff as they return to the classroom. I would also strongly recommend students in all grades wear masks.”

With numbers so high, the province says it does have plans in place to shift to at-home learning if there are issues that spark up.

Decisions on shifting entire schools or school divisions to at-home learning will continue to be made by the Alberta government, with input from school authorities.

For both situations, consideration will be given to student absentee rates, the ability of a school or school authority to have staff available to operate in-school classes, and other relevant information, including local health data, if available.

A change will also be made to how the province handles testing for COVID-19 in schools.

Any student or staff member feeling sick will be asked to stay home and take a COVID-19 test. If a student tests positive, they will be asked to isolate and notify their school.

AHS will no longer handle school case investigations because of the stress on the contact tracing system. Investigations will be used for high-risk settings in continuing care and healthcare. More details on school reporting will be made available in the near future.

Starting next week, LaGrange says students in Grades 4-9 will be able to access free online tutoring resources.

“The e-Tutoring Hub will be launched with pre-recorded video tutoring sessions on literacy and numeracy that students and their parents can access at any time. Later this year, online tutoring will be expanded to include more subjects and grades, and live tutoring will be offered.”