2021-2022 School Year Plan - This document will continue to be updated based on orders from the Chief Medical Officer of Health and Alberta ...
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2021-2022 School Year Plan
This document will continue to be updated based on orders from the Chief Medical
Officer of Health and Alberta Education.
GoA Preparing for a new School Year Website link
Last Updated 19 August 2021
STURGEON PUBLIC SCHOOLS – 2021-2022 School Year Plan
Table of Contents
Context ........................................................................................................................... 3
Health Measures ........................................................................................................ 3
Vaccinations.................................................................................................... 3
Illness/Self-Screening Practices ............................................................. 4
Illness While at School ................................................................................ 5
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 ................................................................. 5
Reporting and responding to high rates of absenteeism .............. 5
Isolation Requirements .............................................................................. 6
Masks ................................................................................................................ 6
Environmental Measures ........................................................................... 6
School Operations ...................................................................................................... 7
Student Arrival and Entry ........................................................................... 7
Hand Hygiene ................................................................................................. 7
Respiratory Etiquette ................................................................................... 7
Classroom Setup ........................................................................................... 7
Student Groups/Cohorts ............................................................................ 7
End of School Day ......................................................................................... 8
Water Fountains/Water Bottles............................................................... 8
Visitors/Parents/Guardians/Volunteers .............................................. 8
Eating Lunch ................................................................................................... 8
Recess............................................................................................................... 8
Extra-Curricular Activities ........................................................................... 8
Off Site Activities ........................................................................................... 9
School Councils ............................................................................................. 9
Breakfast/Lunch/Snack Programs ........................................................ 9
Before and After School Programs ......................................................... 9
Shared School Technology ........................................................................ 9
Learning ......................................................................................................................... 9
Grade 12 Diploma Exams .......................................................................... 9
Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) ..................................................... 9
Supporting At-Home Learning While Sick ............................................ 9
Transportation .......................................................................................................... 10
Masks on Buses ......................................................................................... 10
Transportation of Students .................................................................... 10
Cleaning......................................................................................................... 10
Buildings ..................................................................................................................... 10
Cleaning......................................................................................................... 10
Community Use of SPS Spaces ............................................................ 10
Government of Alberta Contingency Plans .................................................... 11
Appendix: Contingency Plans ................................................................ 11
Frank Robinson Education Centre P: 780.939.4341 TF: 1.888.459.4062
9820-104 Street, Morinville AB T8R 1L8 F: 780.939.5520 E: frec@sturgeon.ab.ca
2
STURGEON PUBLIC SCHOOLS – 2021-2022 School Year Plan
Context
The 2021-2022 School Year Plan is based upon a transition to the recovery phase
reflecting a corresponding shift from mandatory health measures to recommended
health best practices. Alberta is shifting from an emergency response for COVID-19
to the public health management that is currently in place in schools for other viruses.
Studies have shown that some responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including
the closure of schools to in-person learning and cancellation of extra-curricular
events, led to a deterioration in children and youth mental health. It is
important to consider the negative impacts of measures when looking at a
population that has shown to be at lower risk of severe outcomes. Any
additional restrictions for children and youth should be proportionate to their
overall risk level (Alberta Health, August 2021).
The 2021-2022 plan is focused on a normal return to school; however, due to the
dynamic nature of COVID-19, the government has prepared two (2) contingency plans
in the event that there is a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic that impacts Alberta
and its education system:
• Contingency Scenario 1: in-school classes (near normal with enhanced
health measures)
• Contingency Scenario 2: at-home learning (in-school classes are
suspended/cancelled)
During the 2021-2022 school year, Sturgeon Public Schools may request short-term
operational shifts to at-home/online learning due to operational reasons.
Implementation of the 2021-2022 School Year Plan is subject to change with the
direction from the Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health.
The Government of Alberta will continue monitoring and take whatever actions are
needed to manage any high-risk outbreaks of communicable diseases in schools.
The Zone Medical Officer of Health (MOH) may recommend additional measures if a
school experiences a respiratory illness outbreak including screening for symptoms,
masking, and cohorting.
Zone Medical Officers of Health and their designates are available to support school
authorities throughout the province.
Health Measures
Vaccinations
All staff and students born in 2009 or earlier (turning 12+) can get the COVID-19
vaccine.
Frank Robinson Education Centre P: 780.939.4341 TF: 1.888.459.4062
9820-104 Street, Morinville AB T8R 1L8 F: 780.939.5520 E: frec@sturgeon.ab.ca
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STURGEON PUBLIC SCHOOLS – 2021-2022 School Year Plan
COVID-19 vaccines help prevent infection and severe illness. All vaccines are safe,
effective and save lives.
Immunizations will be available through temporary clinics in schools for students in
Grades 7 to 12 (Grade 6 if born in 2009 or earlier), teachers, and staff early
September.
Students, teachers, and staff can receive whichever dose they are eligible for in
school. However, if they receive their first dose at the in-school clinic, they will need
to book their second dose at a local pharmacy or Alberta Health Services (AHS)
clinic when it is time to do so.
Students under 18 will NOT be vaccinated in schools without parent or guardian
consent.
o Parental or guardian consent for students will be required through consent
forms. Schools will email the AHS consent form to parents and guardians
as soon as they are received from AHS and immunization dates are set.
o It is important that parents or guardians return completed consent forms
for their children as quickly as possible.
Illness/Self-Screening Practices
To reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses,
parents or guardians must assess their children daily, before leaving home, for
symptoms of common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or other infectious respiratory
diseases and keep their child(ren) home if they are sick.
If a student or staff member has any of the following core COVID-19 symptoms (new
or worsening and not related to other known causes), they are required to isolate for
10 days from onset of symptoms or until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result,
as per provincial guidelines:
o Fever
o Cough
o Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
o Loss of sense of smell or taste
o Sore throat (adults only)
o Runny nose (adults only)
Students
Children under 18 years of age, including all students who attend Kindergarten
through Grade 12 and high school students over 18 years of age, must
complete the Alberta Health Daily Checklist for Children under 18 before going
to school, child care or other activities.
Adults
School staff and visitors must review the Alberta Health Daily Checklist to
determine if they may enter a school.
Frank Robinson Education Centre P: 780.939.4341 TF: 1.888.459.4062
9820-104 Street, Morinville AB T8R 1L8 F: 780.939.5520 E: frec@sturgeon.ab.ca
4
STURGEON PUBLIC SCHOOLS – 2021-2022 School Year Plan
Illness While at School
Students exhibiting signs of illness will be moved to the school’s infirmary room.
Parents/guardians will be notified and advised to pick-up their child. If the
parent/guardian is unable to pick up their child, they must designate an emergency
contact for student pickup. It is the expectation that students are picked up by the
family or emergency contact.
• A staff member caring for an ill student should wear a mask.
• If a student or staff member begins developing new symptoms of
respiratory illness (e.g., cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste
or smell, etc.), they will be provided with a mask to wear while waiting to
go home.
• Proof of a negative COVID-19 test result is not necessary for a student or
staff member to return to school.
• Individuals should not return to the school until they are feeling well.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19
AHS Zone Medical Officers of Health (MOH) may direct additional measures be
considered or recommended if a school experiences a COVID-19 outbreak.
AHS Public Health will not inform school authorities or administrators of individual
cases of COVID-19 within their school setting, as notification to the school is not
required for the individual’s case management.
Staff, students, or parents/guardians may choose to notify school administrators of
a positive COVID-19 test result; however, individuals are not required to share their
COVID-19 test results with school administration.
School administrators and/or school authorities are not required to contact AHS to
report student or staff cases.
School administrators will continue to monitor their school population for additional
cases (e.g., an individual voluntarily shares they are positive for COVID or they start
to experience COVID-19 symptoms while at the school) and/or absenteeism due to
illness.
Reporting and responding to high rates of absenteeism
Schools will return to regular practice and report to AHS when there is a school-wide
absence rate of 10% or greater due to illness OR there are an unusual number of
individuals with similar symptoms.
• Where absenteeism of 10% or greater has been identified by AHS due to
illness, AHS may declare an outbreak and recommend additional voluntary
measures to reduce ongoing transmission for the duration of the outbreak,
generally 14 days from when the outbreak was declared, unless absenteeism
continues to increase.
Frank Robinson Education Centre P: 780.939.4341 TF: 1.888.459.4062
9820-104 Street, Morinville AB T8R 1L8 F: 780.939.5520 E: frec@sturgeon.ab.ca
5
STURGEON PUBLIC SCHOOLS – 2021-2022 School Year Plan
o Additional recommendations may include active health screening with
questionnaires, increasing frequency of cleaning and disinfection,
maintaining cohorts, mask recommendations, and/or limiting
group/extra-curricular activities.
o A Medical Officer of Health (MOH)/designate has the authority under
the Public Health Act to recommend additional public health
measures if they identify an unacceptable risk in a specific
circumstance. Sturgeon Public Schools will follow all guidance and
recommendations provided by the MOH/designate.
Isolation Requirements
Isolation helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the number of people you
could infect if you are sick. This means staying home and avoiding situations where
the virus could spread.
Albertans are legally required to isolate for 10 days if you tested positive or have any
core symptoms that are not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition.
If you have symptoms, take the online assessment to arrange testing.
Masks
Alberta does not have a mask requirement in schools; however, masks may be
recommended temporarily if there is a respiratory illness outbreak at a school.
Sturgeon Public Schools will support individuals who choose to wear masks.
Students, staff, visitors, and parents/guardians should consider their own risks and
their personal situation when making decisions on wearing a mask. It is reasonable
that in some settings, an individual may choose to wear a mask while we are getting
back to normal.
Students, teachers, staff, and visitors must follow provincial requirements for
masks:
• Masks remain mandatory for students, teachers, staff members and visitors
on school buses and publicly accessible transit, such as municipal buses,
taxis, and ride-shares.
• Exceptions to the mask requirement on school buses are listed in CMOH
Order 34-2021.
Environmental Measures
HVAC systems will be maintained in accordance with manufacturer operational
guidelines.
Windows and doors will be opened where possible to increase air circulation and
outdoor activities will be encouraged when weather permits.
Frank Robinson Education Centre P: 780.939.4341 TF: 1.888.459.4062
9820-104 Street, Morinville AB T8R 1L8 F: 780.939.5520 E: frec@sturgeon.ab.ca
6
STURGEON PUBLIC SCHOOLS – 2021-2022 School Year Plan
School Operations
Student Arrival and Entry
To reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses, parents
and guardians are asked to remain outside the school when dropping off their child
and asked to not enter the school unless approved by the Principal. The Principal will
utilize as many entry doors as possible and assign all students an entry point. Students
should move directly to their designated entry door and wait for permission to enter
the building. Students will enter the building from their assigned meeting spot to
minimize physical interactions. The Principal will create a schedule for student entry.
Student entry may require staggered times, which do not necessarily align with
established bell times.
All staff and students will have access to hand sanitizer upon entering the building.
Hand Hygiene
Hand sanitizer stations will be set up at all entrances. Schools will promote good hand
hygiene (washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer) before and after
activities such as:
• entering/leaving the school or classroom.
• before and after using shared equipment.
• before and after eating.
• after using the washroom.
Respiratory Etiquette
Students, staff, and visitors are encouraged to use proper respiratory etiquette:
• sneezing into the elbow or tissue.
• discarding tissues immediately after use.
• performing hand hygiene.
Classroom Setup
Staff and students are encouraged to utilize their own personal items (e.g. electronic
devices, writing instruments, school supplies) and minimize any shared items. Where
possible, teachers will organize their curricular content to minimize the need for
shared resources at the beginning of the school year.
Students will be asked to clean any shared resources after individual use (e.g.
microscopes, electronic devices, manipulatives, etc.).
Student Groups/Cohorts
Cohorting is not required for the 2021-2022 school year but may be recommended
temporarily to prevent the spread of infection if there is a respiratory illness outbreak
at school.
Frank Robinson Education Centre P: 780.939.4341 TF: 1.888.459.4062
9820-104 Street, Morinville AB T8R 1L8 F: 780.939.5520 E: frec@sturgeon.ab.ca
7
STURGEON PUBLIC SCHOOLS – 2021-2022 School Year Plan
End of School Day
Parents and guardians are asked to remain outside the school while waiting for their
children and to not enter the school unless approved by the Principal.
Schools will communicate their plan to address students exiting the school in an
orderly manner with appropriate supervision, maximizing the number of exit doors as
practical. This may mean that schools may require classes/learning spaces to have
staggered dismissal times while ensuring bus schedules are maintained.
Students waiting for pick up are to wait outside in a supervised designated area.
During inclement weather, the Principal will make alternate arrangements for the
waiting area.
Water Fountains/Water Bottles
Students and staff are encouraged to bring their own filled water bottle each day.
Water refilling stations may be used to refill personal water bottles.
Visitors/Parents/Guardians/Volunteers
Parents and guardians, delivery personnel, SPS staff, RCMP and AHS must use the
posted self- screening tool and use their mobile phone to check-in with the QR code
before entering the building. The QR code is posted on the entry doors of all schools
and Division Office. All outside doors will remain locked and visitors must book an
appointment before coming to the school.
Eating Lunch
Students will be encouraged to not share utensils, dishes, water bottles or drink
containers. Students will be asked to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before
and after eating. Students may be asked to help wipe down their own desks or tables
used for eating.
Recess
Schools will develop a coordinated exit/entry schedule utilizing as many exit/entry
doors as possible for grades to leave their class/learning space to go outside for
recess and to return to class/learning space.
Extra-Curricular Activities
SPS extra-curricular athletics and fine arts performances will resume. Sturgeon Public
Schools is working with Alberta Education, Alberta Health and Education partners,
including the Alberta School Athletics Association, to support athletic activities and
events within the context of health measures that may be in place.
Frank Robinson Education Centre P: 780.939.4341 TF: 1.888.459.4062
9820-104 Street, Morinville AB T8R 1L8 F: 780.939.5520 E: frec@sturgeon.ab.ca
8
STURGEON PUBLIC SCHOOLS – 2021-2022 School Year Plan
Off Site Activities
Field Trips/Off Site Activities will resume as per Division Policy.
School Councils
School Council members and the school Principal may choose to meet via an online
environment, in a hybrid setting or face-to-face. If meetings are to occur face-to-face,
they must be scheduled outside the regular school day and follow school and AHS
guidelines and protocols.
Breakfast/Lunch/Snack Programs
Programs will resume and vending machines will be operational.
Before and After School Programs
Before and After School Programs operated in Sturgeon Public sites, will continue to
operate under the Government of Alberta Daycare Guidelines.
Shared School Technology
Schools will work to limit multiple students accessing the same device in a day.
Students are encouraged to bring their own device to school to minimize shared usage
of devices. Families may purchase a device through SPS’s Technology Store by
placing an order through the PowerSchool portal. Schools are encouraged to divide
devices into cohorts and/or grade levels and limit the number of people that contact
the device.
Learning
Grade 12 Diploma Exams
The administration of diploma exams will resume and be mandatory for the 2021-
2022 school year, as per normal practice.
Diploma exam results will continue to constitute 30% of a student’s final diploma
course mark.
Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs)
Grades 6 and 9 Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) will resume as normal practice
for the 2021-2022 school year.
Supporting At-Home Learning While Sick
Should a child need to stay home for a period due to illness, classroom teachers will
provide key work for the student to be able to work on while at-home. Homework
bundles or tasks will be provided to the student by the regular teacher.
Frank Robinson Education Centre P: 780.939.4341 TF: 1.888.459.4062
9820-104 Street, Morinville AB T8R 1L8 F: 780.939.5520 E: frec@sturgeon.ab.ca
9
STURGEON PUBLIC SCHOOLS – 2021-2022 School Year Plan
Transportation
Masks on Buses
Students, teachers, staff, and visitors must follow provincial requirements for
masks.
Masks are required on school buses for all staff and students:
• Masks remain mandatory for students, teachers, staff members and visitors
on school buses and publicly accessible transit, such as municipal buses,
taxis and ride-shares.
• Exceptions to the mask requirement on school buses are listed in CMOH
Order 34-2021.
Transportation of Students
Regular transportation service levels will resume.
Students registered for service will be assigned a route and are expected to utilize
their electronic bus pass each time they enter and exit a bus. Regular fees will apply
for all riders. All fees must be paid in full for students to receive an electronic bus
pass to board the bus. Families can withdraw their student from the bus at any time.
Refunds will not be processed for a partial month of service.
Cleaning
Bus Contractors will continue to follow enhanced COVID-19 routine cleaning
standards, including regular cleaning, and disinfecting of high touch surfaces.
Buildings
Cleaning
Schools will continue to follow enhanced COVID-19 routine cleaning requirements,
including regular cleaning, and disinfecting of high touch surfaces. Anyone entering
the building will need to use hand sanitizer. Should medical exemptions from using
hand sanitizer be required, those individuals will need to wash their hands prior to
moving about the school. Sanitizer stations will be available at the various
entrances during school days and outside each room within the school.
Caretaking staff will maintain schools within SPS’s pandemic cleaning protocol.
Community Use of SPS Spaces
Community and joint-use of indoor spaces in schools will resume.
Frank Robinson Education Centre P: 780.939.4341 TF: 1.888.459.4062
9820-104 Street, Morinville AB T8R 1L8 F: 780.939.5520 E: frec@sturgeon.ab.ca
10STURGEON PUBLIC SCHOOLS – 2021-2022 School Year Plan
Government of Alberta Contingency Plans
Appendix: Contingency Plans
In the event of a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic that impacts Alberta and its
education system, the government will consider two contingencies.
Frank Robinson Education Centre P: 780.939.4341 TF: 1.888.459.4062
9820-104 Street, Morinville AB T8R 1L8 F: 780.939.5520 E: frec@sturgeon.ab.ca
11APPENDIX: Contingency Plans
In the event that there is a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic that impacts the province of Alberta and its ECS to Grade 12
education system, the following two contingencies will be considered.
Short-term Operational Shifts to
At-home/Online Learning
• If required, the decision to move a portion of a school,
such as individual grade(s) or class(es) to at-home/online
learning due to operational reasons (i.e., staffing issues),
will continue to be at the discretion of the local school
authority and will take into account any health measures
that are in place.
• School authorities can submit a request to Field Services
for a short-term shift of an entire school to at-home
learning for operational reasons. The centralized
approach for requesting and approving both a school’s
or school authority’s short-term shift to at-home learning
for operational reasons provides school authorities the
opportunity to outline the situation that the school faces,
including important local contextual considerations. It also
provides for consistency and fairness across the province.
School Calendar for the 2021–2022 School Year
Contingency Scenario 1: in-school classes (near normal with enhanced health measures)
• Local school authorities can adjust their school calendars and/or the number and length of instructional days, while
meeting required instructional hours (950 hours for Grades 1 to 9 and 1,000 hours for Grades 10 to 12) and within the
parameters of all contractual agreements with school authority employees, to address subject area content.
• School authorities must implement routine measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other
respiratory illnesses including promoting and facilitating hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, staying home when
sick, maintaining ventilation, and ensuring regular cleaning and disinfection of high traffic/touch areas.
• Additional public health recommendations for child and student learning and extra-curricular activities for those
unable to receive immunization (Kindergarten to Grade 6) such as cohorting.
• Outbreak management will continue to occur and follow similar interventions to influenza outbreak response.
14 2021–2022 School Year | PlanContingency Scenario 2: at-home learning (in-school classes are suspended/cancelled)
• School authorities offer at-home learning opportunities to children and students based on the provincial or
regional context.
• Following are the expectations when operating within contingency scenario 2 for the 2021–2022 school year.
• School authorities continue to have flexibility and make decisions on their calendars.
• Hours of instruction will be determined by school authorities while meeting requirements for instructional hours that
remain the same.
• School authorities will work with families to ensure that learning will continue, and that the needs of students are met.
• Should contingency scenario 2 be in place, the ability for the principal to award unallocated credits to students in
grades 10, 11 and 12 may be activated. The total maximum number of unallocated credits any one student can use
to graduate will be limited to 20 credits.
• Teachers continue to be responsible for assessing the progress of children and students.
• Students continue to be responsible to actively engage in learning and diligently pursue their education.
• School authorities, parents/guardians, children and students must continue to follow public health measures in place.
Supporting Growth in Student Learning
Under Contingency Scenario 2, school authorities can, as deemed appropriate at the local level, for Grades 1 to 9
reduce time spent teaching non-core subjects to allow for additional instruction time on core (English, Français, French
language arts, Math, Social, and Science).
Administrators, teachers and parents can access the Student Learning Hub for information and resources.
• Support materials include FAQs and links to specific resources and materials.
• Digital and printable resources to support administrators, teachers, parents and students in a variety of learning
settings (e.g. digital, non-digital).
• Resources that support diverse student learning needs (e.g. English language learners, Francisation).
Students Learning Focus Weekly Instructional Hours Resources
Pre-K · Will continue in school. Can continue to access As per usual practice.
· Learning expectations are as per usual practice. services in-school.
· Student assessment by teachers continues.
K-6 · Will shift to at-home/online. At discretion of Online, digital and/
· Learning expectations: Language and mathematics school authority. or paper-based as
learning outcomes that strengthen the development needed.
of literacy and numeracy Incorporate health curriculum
outcomes (with a focus on mental health).
· Student assessment by teachers continues.
Grades 7-12 · Will shift to at-home/online. Equivalent to current Online, digital and/
· Learning expectations are equivalent to current in-school hours. or paper-based as
in school. needed.
· Student assessment by teachers continues.
Students with · Can continue to access services in school. Can continue to access As per unique needs.
Disabilities services in-school.
2021–2022 School Year | Plan 15Grade 12 Diploma Exams
Contingency Scenario 1: in-school classes (near normal with enhanced health measures)
• A return to in-school classes under contingency scenario 1 includes the administration of diploma exams for the
2021–22 school year, which will continue to be mandatory.
• Diploma exam results will continue to constitute 30 per cent of a student’s final diploma course mark.
• Diploma exams will be offered in every subject in all five diploma exam sessions held in November, January, April,
June and August. These diploma exam offerings will support students with some school boards shifting their
high school programming to a quarter system as part of their COVID-2021–2022 school year plan.
• Diploma exam administrations throughout the year will permit students to access diploma exams to raise their marks
and demonstrate provincial standards. Provincial level assessment results for diploma exams in four core subject
areas (Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science) and diploma exam participation rates will be
reported in the ministry annual report and annual report update as supplementary measures. School and jurisdiction
level breakdowns will not be made public.
Contingency Scenario 2: at-home learning (in-school classes are suspended/cancelled)
• Alberta Education will consider the administration of diploma exams, one session at a time if all schools are shifted to
at-home learning under Contingency Scenario 2.
• Alberta Education will continue to provide diploma exams to students who choose to write them.
• Should circumstances in the 2021–2022 school year warrant, some adjustments in reporting results from provincial
achievement tests and diploma exams may be warranted. In 2021–2022, Alberta Education will continue to report
results from diploma exams at the school, school authority and provincial levels similar to previous years, where
results are available.
• Depending on the impacts of COVID-19 on the 2021–2022 school year, results may not be used to evaluate the
system or inform curriculum development. Given the anomaly the COVID-19 year represents, results for schools and
school authorities may not be publicized. Provincial level diploma exam measures not included as core performance
measures in the ministry business plan will continue to be reported as supplementary measures in the ministry
annual report and annual report updates.
16 2021–2022 School Year | PlanGrade 6 and 9 Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs)
Contingency Scenario 1: in-school classes
(near normal with enhanced health measures)
PATs continue to be administered. The PAT schedule provides flexibility
for school authorities to administer them within a fixed period of time.
• Participation is mandatory.
• The administration of PATs is limited to foundational subjects—
English Language Arts, Mathematics, and French Language
Arts/Français.
• School authorities can decide to excuse some or all students from
PATs if their learning has fallen behind.
Contingency Scenario 2: at-home learning (in-school classes are suspended/cancelled)
• Alberta Education will cancel the January administration of 2021–22 PATs, and decide on the administration of
May/June PATs based on the duration of the cancellation of in-school classes. The same principles from scenario 1
would apply.
• Should circumstances in the 2021–2022 school year warrant it, some adjustments in reporting results from PATs may
be needed. In 2021–22, Alberta Education will continue to report results from provincial achievement tests at the
school, school authority and provincial levels similar to previous years, where results are available.
• Depending on the impacts of COVID-19 on the 2021–2022 school year, results from schools and school authorities
may not be publicized. Targets for provincial level assessment results in Language Arts and Mathematics for
2021–2022 have been set in the 2021-24 Business Plan and results will be reported in the 2021–2022 Education
Annual Report. Results for other subjects (Social Studies, Science) will be reported as supplementary measure
results in the annual report alongside results for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students. Note that reporting is done
for provincial level assessment results only. School and school authority results will not be publicized.
2021–2022 School Year | Plan 17Children and Students Who Require
Specialized Supports and Services
Individualized and/or specialized supports and services are available to students who require additional support whether they
are learning at home or in school.
School authorities must consider and enable participation and inclusion of students with disabilities and other individualized
learning needs. In circumstances in which students who require individualized and/or specialized supports and services are
not able to follow guidelines that may be in place and require support and adaptation to public health measures, plans must
be developed to ensure their inclusion. School administrations are responsible to create these plans to best meet the needs
of their students.
Contingency Scenario 1: in-school classes (near normal with enhanced health measures)
• School authorities should determine which children and students require individualized and/or specialized supports
and services (i.e. behavioural, intellectual, learning, communication or physical characteristics, or a combination of
any of them) based on individual support plans from the 2020/21 school year.
• Mental health supports for children, students and staff should be in place, as per the section on mental health.
Contingency Scenario 2: at-home learning (in-school classes are suspended/cancelled)
• School authorities continue to offer at-home learning • Teachers are responsible for assessing and reporting
for all their children in an Early Childhood Services on a child’s/student’s progress. Each school authority
(including Kindergarten) program and students in will have to determine what will work best for their
Grades 1 through 12, including those who require children and students. This will likely vary among the
individualized and/or specialized supports and services. school authorities, and may even vary from school
to school.
• Teachers will be responsible to ensure that individual
support plans/individual program plans (ISPs/IPPs) are • School authorities have the flexibility to identify if an
implemented, monitored and evaluated for children educational assistant is needed to virtually deliver
and students who may be in need of specialized specific ISP strategies, under the direction of a teacher,
supports and services, as per the Standards for an working alongside the caregiver and student. The
Inclusive Education System. teacher is primarily responsible for the educational
programming of the student.
• Teachers will consult with parents through their chosen
communication methods, such as email, phone and/ • A continuum of mental health supports and services
or other digital modes, to develop ISP/IPPs for the for children, students and staff are in place, as per the
2021–22 school year. section on mental health in this document.
• ISPs will be reviewed regularly by teachers with • Students with disabilities who require supports and
parents and when appropriate, with the student, to services whose needs cannot be met through at-home
update information, review effectiveness of identified learning can continue to receive supports and services
supports, strategies and services and revise plans in-person at school. All students and staff who
and/or identify new supports and/or strategies and/or continue to attend in-person learning are to follow the
services that will be provided. public health measures.
18 2021–2022 School Year | PlanCOVID-19 INFORMATION
COVID-19 ALBERTA HEALTH DAILY CHECKLIST
(FOR ADULTS 18 YEARS AND OLDER)
Overview
This tool was developed to support Albertans in protecting others and reducing the risk of transmission of
COVID-19. Adults 18 years and older can complete this checklist every day to self-monitor for symptoms of
COVID-19.
If you have traveled outside Canada in the last 14 days, follow the Government of Canada Travel, Testing,
Quarantine and Borders instructions, including any requirements for exempt travelers related to attending high-
risk environments.
Screening Questions for Adults 18 Years and Older:
1. Do you have any new onset (or worsening) of the following symptoms:
Fever YES NO
Cough YES NO
Shortness of breath YES NO
Runny nose YES NO
Sore throat YES NO
Chills YES NO
Painful swallowing YES NO
Nasal congestion YES NO
Feeling unwell / fatigued YES NO
Nausea / vomiting / diarrhea YES NO
Unexplained loss of appetite YES NO
Loss of sense of taste or smell YES NO
Muscle / joint aches YES NO
Headache YES NO
Conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye) YES NO
If you answered “YES” to any symptom:
Stay home.
Use the AHS Online Assessment Tool or call Health Link 811 to arrange for testing and to receive additional
information on isolation.
Individuals with fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat or loss of sense of taste or smell
are required to isolate for 10 days as per CMOH Order 39-2021 OR receive a negative COVID-19 test and
feel better before returning to activities.
If you answered “NO”:
You may attend work, school, and/or other activities.
©2021 Government of Alberta | Updated: August 2021COVID-19 INFORMATION
COVID-19 ALBERTA HEALTH DAILY CHECKLIST
(FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18)
Overview
This checklist applies for all children, as well as all students who attend kindergarten through Grade 12, including high
school students over 18. Children should be screened every day by completing this checklist before going to school,
childcare or other activities. Children may need a parent or guardian to assist them to complete this screening tool.
If your child has traveled outside Canada in the last 14 days, follow the Government of Canada Travel, Testing,
Quarantine and Borders instructions, including any requirements for exempt travelers related to attending high-risk
environments.
Screening Questions for Children under 18:
1. Does the child have any new onset (or worsening) of the following core symptoms:
Fever YES NO
Temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher
Cough YES NO
Continuous, more than usual, not related to other known causes or conditions such as
asthma
Shortness of breath YES NO
Continuous, unable to breathe deeply, not related to other known causes or conditions
such as asthma
Loss of sense of smell or taste YES NO
Not related to other known causes or conditions like allergies or neurological disorders
If the child answered “YES” to any symptom in question 1:
The child is required to isolate for 10 days from onset of symptoms as per CMOH Order 39-2021 OR receive
a negative COVID-19 test and feel better before returning to activities
Use the AHS Online Assessment Tool or call Health Link 811 to arrange for testing and to receive additional
information on isolation.
If the child answered “NO” to all of the symptoms in question 1, proceed to question 2.
©2021 Government of Alberta | Updated: August 20212. Does the child have any new onset (or worsening) of the following other symptoms:
Chills YES NO
Without fever, not related to being outside in cold weather
Sore throat/painful swallowing YES NO
Not related to other known causes/conditions, such as seasonal allergies or reflux
Runny nose/congestion YES NO
Not related to other known causes/conditions, such as seasonal allergies or being outside in
cold weather
Feeling unwell/fatigued YES NO
Lack of energy, poor feeding in infants, not related to other known causes or conditions,
such as depression, insomnia, thyroid dysfunction or sudden injury
Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea YES NO
Not related to other known causes/conditions, such as anxiety, medication or irritable bowel
syndrome
Unexplained loss of appetite YES NO
Not related to other known causes/conditions, such as anxiety or medication
Muscle/joint aches YES NO
Not related to other known causes/conditions, such as arthritis or injury
Headache YES NO
Not related to other known causes/conditions, such as tension-type headaches or chronic
migraines
Conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye) YES NO
If the child answered “YES” to ONE symptom in question 2:
Keep your child home and monitor for 24 hours.
If their symptom is improving after 24 hours, they can return to school and activities when they feel well
enough to go. Testing is not necessary.
If the symptom does not improve or worsens after 24 hours (or if additional symptoms emerge), use the
AHS Online Assessment Tool or call Health Link 811 to check if testing is recommended.
If the child answered “YES” to TWO OR MORE symptoms in question 2:
Keep your child home.
Use the AHS Online Assessment Tool or call Health Link 811 to determine if testing is recommended.
Your child can return to school and activities once their symptoms go away as long as it has been at least 24
hours since their symptoms started.
If the child answered “NO” to all questions:
Your child may attend school, childcare and/or other activities.
Please note: If your child is experiencing any symptoms from the lists above, do not bring them to visit a continuing
care or acute care facility for 10 days from when symptoms started or until symptoms resolve (whichever is longer),
unless they receive a negative COVID-19 test result and feel better.
©2021 Government of Alberta | Updated: August 2021Office of the Chief Medical Officer of
Health
10025 Jasper Avenue NW
PO Box 1360, Stn. Main
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2N3
Canada
August 13, 2021
Dear parents and guardians of Alberta students,
With the 2021-22 school year starting up, I want to share information with you about what this
school year will look like.
The safety and well-being of our children is what all of us want most. While there is no perfect
solution to the very challenging problem COVID-19 presents, what I can tell you is I have
studied the issue, examined the research and looked at our own data here in Alberta. I
considered both evidence of COVID infection risks as well as the impacts that restrictions have
had over the past 18 months on the mental health, learning and social interaction of our
children.
As your Chief Medical Officer of Health, and as a parent of children in school myself, I believe
the provincial approach we are taking balances the many competing risks our children face, and
moves to a sustainable framework that can also protect kids from other risks such as influenza
and other viruses. We cannot eliminate COVID-19, which means we must all learn to live with it,
including in our schools.
Public health guidance
To prevent and manage all respiratory illnesses in schools, we have developed a guidance
document that helps children safely stay in the classroom and considers all aspects of their
health and well-being. In addition to the general guidance, if an outbreak of any respiratory
sickness happens in a school, local health officials will work with school staff on additional
measures as needed.
The general guidance includes an important practice that all of us need to follow: that anyone
sick with symptoms of COVID-19 or any respiratory virus stay at home until they are well.
COVID-19 testing availability for those with symptoms has been extended for six weeks to
provide an additional monitoring period during the start of school, and it will remain a legal
requirement for those with COVID-19 to stay home for 10 days during this time.
There has been much discussion about masks, and the use of face masks in indoor settings is
one intervention that can decrease the risk of transmission of all respiratory illnesses. On the
other hand, it can interfere with communication and interpersonal interactions, and last year was
not mandated provincially in kindergarten through grade 3 for that reason. While masks are no
longer required across the province, it is an expectation that schools continue to support those
students and staff who choose to continue wearing a mask. In addition, I believe that local policy
on measures in schools needs to be informed by local perspectives and context. School boards
have the ability to implement additional measures where they deem it appropriate.
My team and I will be monitoring the back to school experience closely. We are continuing to
watch COVID-19 in Alberta and will recommend any adjustments if needed.Page 2 Vaccines The most important thing that adults and older children can do to protect themselves and others is to be fully immunized. Vaccines are safe and effective and protect against severe illness and outcomes. Together we are building a protective shield around those for whom the vaccine is not yet available. Global studies are well underway to measure how COVID-19 vaccine works in children under 12. Until vaccines are approved for this age group, younger children rely on older Albertans who are immunized to strengthen our defenses to protect everyone in our province. This is why, before the school year begins, I am asking all eligible students, parents, guardians, staff and teachers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Now is the perfect time to add a vaccine appointment to your back to school list. The school year begins for most students in just a few weeks, and it takes about two weeks to develop the highest protection after getting your second dose. To help make vaccine as accessible as possible, we also plan to offer COVID-19 vaccines in schools, like we already do as part of the routine school immunization program. Providing immunizations in school ensures we will be able to reach all eligible students in the province. More information will be provided to parents and guardians in the coming days, as parental consent will be required for in-school immunizations. We have been through a lot in the past year and a half, and our kids’ lives in particular have been profoundly changed. COVID has taken a lot from them by the impacts of the measures we needed to protect our communities. Vaccines have changed our community risk, and I believe it is now critical to make decisions for our children by looking at the landscape of all the risks they face, not just COVID infection. I will be monitoring closely what happens as this new school year begins, and will not hesitate to look at additional measures as required. I have said throughout the pandemic that we are all in this together, and this remains true. I deeply care about, and am committed to, the overall health of all in Alberta and I thank you for how you care for your families and communities every day. I wish your family a safe return to school. Yours sincerely, Deena Hinshaw, BSc, MD, MPH, CCFP, FRCP Chief Medical Officer of Health
Guidance for Respiratory Illness Prevention
and Management in Schools
Overview
Routine public health practices can minimize transmission of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, influenza and
common colds. These practices include: proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting,
maintaining ventilation, staying home when sick and getting vaccinated.
The guidance provided in this document is intended to support schools and school authority leaders in reducing the risk of
transmission of these illnesses and infections among students, staff and visitors by providing options to integrate good public
health practices into normal operations under the 2021-22 School Year Plan.
Schools and school authorities are strongly encouraged to use strategies from this guidance to establish their own plans to
reduce transmission of COVID-19, influenza as well as other infections in the school setting. Individuals should also assess
and manage their personal risk, which may include using additional precautions such as continuing to use a face mask, in
order to serve their individual needs. School authorities continue to have the ability and corresponding accountability for any
local measures that are put in place, such as physical distancing, cohorting and masking requirements that may exceed
provincial guidance.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) Zone Medical Officers of Health (MOHs) and their designates are available to support school
authorities throughout the province. Their role is to provide guidance on communicable disease risk as well as risk
management. If you have concerns, need specific guidance, or have questions about how to apply the measures in this
document, or additional measures based on local context, please contact Environmental Public Health in your Zone for
assistance (see Appendix A).
Core Public Health Preventative Measures
Vaccines
• All eligible staff and students should be encouraged to be fully vaccinated for respiratory illnesses, where applicable, such
as COVID-19 and influenza.
• The annual influenza vaccine is available to all Albertans six months and older beginning every fall.
• All staff and students born in 2009 or prior are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
• At this time, children born in 2010 or later are not currently eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.
• It is important for those who are eligible to get vaccinated to reduce the risk to the broader community and those who are
unable to receive the vaccine at this time.
Environmental measures
• HVAC systems should be maintained in accordance with manufacturer operational guidelines.
• Open windows and doors where possible to increase air circulation and encourage outdoor activities, when weather
permits.
• Schools should have procedures that outline routine cleaning requirements, including regular cleaning and disinfecting of
high touch surfaces.
Staying home when sick
• Before leaving home, staff (including substitute teachers), students (or their caregivers) and visitors, should assess
whether they feel well enough to attend school for any reason.
- Parents/guardians should assess their children daily for any new signs or symptoms of COVID-19 using the Alberta
Health Daily Checklist.
©2021 Government of Alberta | August 13, 2021 | Alberta Health
Classification: Public• Anyone that reports COVID-19 symptoms is directed to stay home, seek health care advice as appropriate (e.g., call
Health Link 811, or their primary health care practitioner), and fill out the AHS Online Self-Assessment tool to
determine if they should be tested.
• For information on isolation for staff and students with symptoms, or for confirmed COVID-19 cases, please see
Appendix B.
• Anyone who feels unwell with other symptoms should stay at home until they are well.
Hand hygiene
• Consider ways to promote and facilitate frequent and proper hand hygiene for all students, staff and visitors, such as:
- Providing soap and running water or hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Placing hand sanitizer in convenient locations throughout the school where soap and water may not be available or
nearby, such as in entrances, exits and near high touch surfaces.
- Promoting hand hygiene before/after activities (e.g., entering/leaving school or classroom, boarding/exiting the bus,
changing activities, before and after using shared equipment, before and after eating or serving food, after using
washrooms, before and after having physical contact with other staff or students, etc.).
- Giving verbal reminders for hand hygiene and posting signs. Schools can download posters at
alberta.ca/returntoschool
- If parents have questions about their child using alcohol-based hand sanitizer they should contact their school
administration to discuss potential alternatives.
Respiratory etiquette
• Encourage students, staff and visitors to use proper respiratory etiquette (e.g., sneezing into the elbow or a tissue,
discarding tissues immediately into a lined bin, performing hand hygiene).
- Have information available (e.g., signs) for individuals on these practices, as needed.
• Schools should support students, staff and visitors in their choice to wear a mask. Students, parents/guardians, staff and
visitors should consider their own risk of acquiring COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illnesses when making
decisions on wearing a mask.
• Students, teachers, staff and visitors must follow provincial requirements for masks.
- Masks remain mandatory for students, teachers, staff members and visitors on school buses and publicly
accessible transit, such as municipal buses, taxis and ride-shares.
- Exceptions to the mask requirement on school buses are listed in CMOH Order 34-2021.
Responding to Illness
Symptomatic students and staff
• Schools are encouraged to have a plan in place if a student or staff member develops any symptoms of illness while at
school. This can include:
- Sending home students or staff who are sick, where possible.
- Having a separate area for students and staff who are sick.
• A staff member caring for an ill student should consider wearing a mask.
• If a student or staff member begins developing new symptoms of respiratory illness (e.g., cough, fever, sore throat, runny
nose, loss of taste or smell, etc.), they should be provided with a mask to wear while waiting to go home.
• For information on isolation for staff and students with symptoms, or for confirmed COVID-19 cases, see Appendix B.
• Proof of a negative COVID-19 test result is not necessary for a student or staff member to return to school.
- Individuals should not return to the school until they are feeling well.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19
• AHS Public Health will not inform school authorities or administrators of individual cases of COVID-19 within their school
setting, as notification to the school is not required for the individual’s case management.
• Staff, students or parents/guardians may choose to notify school administrators of a positive COVID-19 test result.
- Individuals are not required to share their COVID-19 test results with school administration.
• School administrators and/or school authorities are not required to contact AHS to report student or staff cases.
©2021 Government of Alberta | August 13, 2021 | Alberta Health
Classification: Public- School administrators should continue to monitor their school population for additional cases (e.g., an individual
voluntarily shares they are positive for COVID or they start to experience COVID-19 symptoms while at the school)
and/or absenteeism due to illness.
Reporting and responding to high rates of absenteeism
• If there is a school-wide absence rate of 10% or greater due to illness OR there are an unusual amount of individuals with
similar symptoms, report to AHS Coordinated Early Identification Response (CEIR) team at 1-844-343-0971, regardless of
the schools’ participation in Alberta Real Time Syndromic Surveillance Network (ARTSSN).
- The purpose of this reporting is to continue to monitor for clusters of respiratory or gastrointestinal illness and alert
AHS to potential disease outbreaks.
• Where absenteeism of 10% or greater has been identified by AHS due to illness, AHS may declare an outbreak and
recommend additional voluntary measures to reduce ongoing transmission for the duration of the outbreak, generally 14
days from when the outbreak was declared, unless absenteeism continues to increase.
- Additional recommendations may include active health screening with questionnaires, increasing frequency of
cleaning and disinfection, maintaining cohorts, mask recommendations, and/or limiting group/extra-curricular
activities.
- A Medical Officer of Health (MOH)/designate has the authority under the Public Health Act to recommend additional
public health measures if they identify an unacceptable risk in a specific circumstance. Please follow all guidance
and recommendations provided by the MOH/designate.
©2021 Government of Alberta | August 13, 2021 | Alberta Health
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