Rocky View Schools (RVS) has decided to follow the advice of Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Alberta Health Services and Alberta Education rather than following the lead of school boards in Calgary and Edmonton in the coming school year.

The RVS Board of Trustees voted at a special meeting held this morning (August 26) to approve the division's 2021/2022 Return to School Operation Plan.  The plan makes mask use voluntary, rather than mandatory and also does away with other health restrictions like cohorting and physical distancing in schools.

A Media Release from RVS says the plan "aligns with the Government of Alberta’s 2021-2022 School Year Plan released August 13th, which provides provincial guidance to school authorities on a return to in-person learning under normal conditions." 

“Last year was a difficult year for many and through this plan, we look forward to a school year where students can learn, belong and succeed in many of the ways they previously enjoyed while minimizing the risk of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses,” said Fiona Gilbert, Board Chair. 

Since the start of the pandemic, RVS has followed the advice and recommendations of Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Alberta Education in making decisions about health practices in schools and made the decision to keep following their advice as they plan for the upcoming school year.

“RVS’ expertise is in educating students and creating an environment that encourages them to achieve their absolute best,” said Gilbert. “We rely on direction and guidance of provincial medical leaders to make decisions on health matters in schools.” 

The province said that school authorities still had the ability to put local measures in place for things like masking, physical distancing and cohorting and school boards were given the power to make their own decisions on individual return to school plans.  The public and Catholic School Divisions in both Calgary and Edmonton announced they would be making masks mandatory this fall.

 RVS is recommending that all families, students and staff read the full plan in preparation for the school year.   Following is, at a glance, what to expect when students head back to class:  

Continued protocols to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses:    

  • Students, staff and visitors must use the daily health checklist before coming to school and stay home when sick 
  • Students and staff who become ill at school are required to go home 
  • Promote and facilitate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
  • Enhanced ventilation measures 
  • Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of high traffic/touch areas    

 Health restrictions lifted:   

  • Masks will not be required in schools. RVS will support students and staff in their choice to wear/not wear a mask in schools and offices. (Masks will be required on school buses)
  • Cohorting and physical distancing will not be required in schools 
  • School events such as assemblies, graduations and team sports may resume  
  • Student use of lockers is permitted  

As per government requirements, close contacts are no longer required to isolate and may come to school unless they are symptomatic or told by AHS they must quarantine  

 RVS says it recognizes the dynamic nature of the pandemic and has developed two contingency plans to be followed if required by government.

  • Contingency 1: In-School Learning with Enhanced Health Measures
  • Contingency 2: At-Home Learning.   

“RVS will continue to monitor the situation in each of our schools closely and be flexible in our plans as changes are needed,” said Luterbach. “Thanks to the dedication and resiliency of our staff, we are able to respond quickly and minimize disruptions to students’ learning as much as possible." 

  Further details are available on the RVS website: 2021/22 Return to School Information  

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