(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

"difficult decisions"

Red Deer Public Schools won’t require, but ‘encourages’ masks

Aug 19, 2021 | 3:05 PM

Red Deer Public Schools will not require students to wear masks to start the year.

Last week, the provincial government announced it would not make mask-wearing in schools mandatory, though it also gave divisions the autonomy to override that.

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Several have announced they are doing so, including Edmonton Catholic and public school divisions, as well as the Calgary Board of Education, Calgary Catholic, and Elk Island Public Schools.

In an email to parents on Thursday, Red Deer Public Schools Superintendent Chad Erickson and Board Chair Nicole Buchanan write, “the Board encourages mask use, but will not make their use mandatory, except where required by provincial restrictions.”

This comes after the school division conducted online surveys for both families and staff from Aug. 13-17.

The following motion was passed during a special board meeting on Aug. 19. Buchanan, Vice Chair Laurette Woodward and Trustees Bev Manning and Bill Stuebing voted for the motion. Trustees Cathy Peacocke and Dianne Macaulay voted against the motion.

“THAT the Board of Trustees approve the Division’s COVID-19 Re-Entry, Recovery and Resurgence Plan as presented, with alignment to health guidelines and restrictions contained within the Alberta Education 2021-2022 School Year Plan and Guidance for Respiratory Illness Prevention and Management in Schools, with the addition of local conditions to the Visitors to School guidelines.

Buchanan adds in a media release, “The Board’s decision regarding masks is reflective of the current provincial health guidelines and what we are seeing in our community. While these are difficult decisions, our focus continues to be on what is best for teaching and learning for our students and staff.”

The division shares that common perspectives included:

• Quality teaching and learning as a priority
• Staying home when sick
• Enhanced cleaning
• Diverse perspectives on masking

“These perspectives have helped shape our planning for a successful start to the school year, as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic,” they say.

“While these are challenging decisions, we continue to be focused on what is best for teaching and learning for our students and staff. These decisions are based on current circumstances, and we will continue to monitor and be responsive, when needed, as the school year progresses and if conditions change.”

The division has developed a detailed 2021-2022 COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols handbook, which addresses environmental measures, health and safety, teaching and learning, and school operations and protocols.

Red Deer Public schools open Sept. 1 and 2 with a staggered entry.

Provincially, masks will be required on schools buses, as per Dr. Deena Hinshaw and Education Minister Adriana LaGrange.

Elsewhere, Lethbridge School Division will require masks be worn upon entry to and when leaving a school, and in common gathering spaces. Medicine Hat Public Schools will require masks, for now, in common spaces and when moving around a classroom

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools unveiled its re-entry plan on Aug. 13, with no mention of masks being mandatory. The division says its plan simply aligns with the province’s Parent Guide for re-entry.