Students in Alberta have been taking classes online since schools were closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Sheldon Spackman

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Student classes to wrap up a week early at local divisions

May 15, 2020 | 3:32 PM

Students will be getting an early start on their summer break as most local divisions are working on wrapping up classes a week earlier than scheduled.

Red Deer Public Schools, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, Chinook’s Edge School Division and Clearview Public Schools are all eyeing June 19 as the final day of classes for students.

Staff at each division will continue working through the end of the following week.

Alberta students have been learning through online classes since the province closed K-12 to students effective March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 30, Premier Jason Kenney confirmed schools would remain closed to students for the remainder of the current academic year.

“I want to add how proud I am of our staff, students and Red Deer Public families during this challenging time,” says Red Deer Public Schools Superintendent Stu Henry. “Our staff have continued to provide meaningful and engaging lessons to students. And we’ve heard many great stories of how students are continuing to succeed and how parents are engaging with their children’s learning at home. Keep up the great work and we can’t wait to have you back in our schools.”

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“I am extremely proud of our staff. They have continued to move forward since March successfully supporting our students and families with at-home learning,” said Interim Superintendent of Schools, Kathleen Finnigan at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools. “During these unprecedented times, I have seen so many innovative ways our staff is connecting with students and guiding them through their virtual learning.”

Chinook’s Edge says ending classes a week early will allow school staff to complete work made more complicated because of the pandemic, including final reporting, and for items to be picked up and returned prior to the end of the school year.

Clearview Public Schools is also looking at wrapping up classes a week early.

“As all parents and legal guardians can appreciate, 2020 has been a year we have not experienced in the past,” wrote Clearview Public Schools Superintendent Peter Baron in a letter to parents. “Clearview is committed to ensure full transparency and the full range of communications possible. To that end, we would like all concerned to know of the possible change in the learning calendar.”

Clearview trustees will be formalizing this consideration on May 27.

Officials with Wolf Creek Public Schools said the district was this week beginning the conversation with school administrators and the Board of Trustees regarding the final day of classes.

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