Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff

By Shaun Penner

Masks in School

GPCSD to require masks in common spaces starting next week

Sep 14, 2021 | 12:42 PM

Following a lengthy discussion by the Board of Trustees Monday evening, the Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools will be re-instituting a masking mandate for all students, staff, and visitors at their schools next week.

The mandate, which passed by a vote among the board at Monday’s meeting, comes into effect on Monday, September 20, and will mean anyone in the school setting will need to wear a mask in common areas such as hallways, when physical distancing is not possible.

However, unlike the masking mandate from the 2020-21 school year, students will be able to take their mask off when seated at their desk, when eating or drinking, or when participating in physical education or the performing arts.

The mandate will also be in place for all grades from K-12.

Board chair Michael Ouellette says it was not a decision the board wishes it felt it had to make as COVID-19 continues to rip through the province.

“We knew we had to do something,” said Ouellette. “For our district, but also for our health care system, and also for the business (community).”

While mandatory masking was brought back by the province earlier this month for indoor public spaces, the decision for schools to require masking was left up to each school authority.

Acknowledging that masks are but one of the divisive, hot button topics in the community, Ouellette knows some, if not many, will be unhappy with the board’s decision.

But he knows no decision made regarding this situation will please everyone involved.

“But you can try to be the voice of reason. Think of a greater good and make the best decisions with the best intentions and integrity in mind. No decision is simple. All decisions impact people in different ways,” Ouellette said of the board’s decision.

“It’s not always easy, and sometimes keeps us up at night, like this (decision) did. Sometimes you just have to agree to disagree, and you have to move forward. And we have to make decisions that are best for the children.”

While he adds it would have been preferential for the province to come up with such a decision, Ouellette applauded his fellow board members for bringing thoughtful discussion and debate about the subject, ultimately helping them make the final call.

“They had to come up with a decision, and that’s what elected officials do. We make decisions.”

Ouellette stressed that he urges all parents and students to remain civil when discussing the mandate and says those who are upset by the move should not take it out on teachers or school administration.

“Hopefully the parents can understand this, and not take it out in anger to our schools and stuff like that. This was a board decision.”

Discussion of a masking mandate for the Grande Prairie Public School Division will be held Tuesday evening during its board meeting.