In person classes resumed to many Alberta students on Monday after the Government of Alberta extended winter break because of the COVID-19 pandemic and a quickly rising active case count across the province.

Classes have resumed in advance of all shipments of rapid tests and medical grade masks promised by the Province. Superintendent of Wild Rose School Division, Brad Volkman, says “This PPE will be coming to our schools in multiple shipments, some of them starting to arrive already,” says Volkman. He was also told that all schools should receive their first shipment no later than January 14.

With students returning to class, there are still many questions on how schools should handle the re-opening or if they should be open at all. With the extra week off though, it has given teachers and the school division to better prepare themselves.

“It was uncertain if students would be returning or if we might be mandated to move to online learning,” says Volkman. “Teachers have also used the extra days off to prepare for the return of classes and also prepared if they were to get moved online.”

Another big topic is in regards to ventilation systems. Ventilation is said to be one component to maintaining healthy environments and is thought to be an important COVID-19 prevention for schools and childcare programs. Volkman shared that the government has indicted if their systems are maintained with manufacturer operational guidelines, then no new modifications would be required at this time.

Schools have also prepared for large numbers of staff and students needing to self-isolate.

“They can return when they have isolated for the required number of days and their symptoms must also be gone,” he explains. “If they still have symptoms after isolating for the required number of days, then they need to continue to self-isolate until all of their symptoms are gone. Alberta Health Services will no longer be able to inform the school division of positive cases.”

“Parents are also not required to inform Alberta Health Services or the school if their child has a positive rapid test,” adds Volkman. “As such, there is no contact tracing taking place at this time. The school division has informed parents of the isolation requirements and requested they adhere to them.”

Wild Rose School Division is also ready in case COVID-19 cases spike in schools and have to be moved online.

“Over the past two years, our students and staff had made multiple shifts between at-school and online learning and have now learned to make better use of various online and communications to make this happen,” says Volkman. “However, if Alberta Health Services determines that schools needs to shift to online for safety purposes, the Wild Rose School Division staff and students will be ready to make that transition.”

“As the Public school division, it’s our top priority to keep our schools as safe as possible during this pandemic and to keep our schools open for in-person learning. In order to do this, we rely on the expertise and advice of Alberta Health Services. We acknowledge how challenging COVID has been for our students, families, communities and staff and we thank them for cooperating with us as we implemented these ever changing health guidelines from Alberta Health Services,” concludes Volkman.