Three options are being considered for the 2020-21 school year by Alberta Education.

As of now, no final decision has been reached on what form classes will take in September, said Alberta education minister Adriana LaGrange in an update today.

She said the province is working with school authorities and education system partners on developing a comprehensive re-entry plan that considers three scenarios, which could exist by September.

They are:

  • Normal school operations are able to resume.
  • Schools are partially re-opened, with some level of restrictions.
  • Teacher-directed at-home learning continues.

The re-entry plan will prioritize the safety and well-being of our teachers, staff, and students.

In addition to the feedback gathered from the education system, the plan will honour collective bargaining agreements, and will be informed by Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy and advice provided by Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.

While teacher-directed at-home learning continues for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, the re-entry plan is top of mind to all.

“I want to thank our teachers, school support staff, administrators, education partners and parents for quickly adapting to our current reality and helping ensure that their children continue to learn as best as possible under the circumstances," says LaGrange. "I know everyone is making an effort to connect students. I look forward to school returning when the time is right and health restrictions allow for it.”

Schools are using multiple approaches to deliver content to students. More than 90 per cent of school authorities, including Rocky View Schools, are offering online learning, while about half are also emailing, telephoning and sending paper-based work to students.