(pexels.com)

By Sheldon Spackman

Classes Resume

Back to school week in central Alberta

Aug 31, 2021 | 9:56 AM

Thousands of central Alberta students are set to return to school this week amidst a fourth wave of COVID-19 and rising active case numbers across the province.

In the Red Deer Public School Division, the Board of Trustees invested over $1 million for a COVID-19 Recovery & Resurgence Plan earlier this year that includes supporting students transitioning back to the classroom, learning supports, as well as mental health and wellness support.

That plan was approved by the board earlier this month.

When most students return to class for a staggered start beginning Sept. 1, Red Deer Public will be following the Alberta Education 2021-2022 School Year Plan and Guidance for Respiratory Illness Prevention and Management in Schools guidelines when it comes to masking, which means masks are recommended in school and classroom settings, but are not mandatory. Masks are mandatory, however, on student transportation as per provincial health guidelines.

Officials say the Board will monitor and review COVID data and trends on an ongoing basis and will adjust and change restrictions as needed that are responsive to local conditions and trends.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

15h ago

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

The Division’s COVID-19 Re-Entry, Recovery and Resurgence Plan, which is said to be reflective of the information gathered through the Division’s recent engagement process with parents and staff, focuses on:

• Re-Entry, which includes all of the health guidelines students, families and staff need to know before the start of the school year;
• Recovery, which focuses on academic supports to close learning gaps due to the pandemic over the past school year;
• Resurgence to address mental health supports, which includes looking after each other.

“We want to ensure all students in Red Deer Public have a great school year, and are able to achieve their very best,” said Chad Erickson, Superintendent.

At Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, students in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Blackfalds, Innisfail, and Olds will return to class Aug. 31 under Scenario 1: In-class learning with enhanced health and safety measures.

École Secondaire Notre Dame High School and St. Joseph High School Grade 11 and 12 students will return on Sept. 1, as Aug. 31 is Grade 10 orientation. Students in Rocky Mountain House begin class Sept. 1.

District officials note, however, a staggered re-entry schedule has been put in place to help students familiarize themselves with the new COVID-19 safety procedures and physical distancing measures. Staggered pick-up and drop-off protocols have also been implemented.

“The safety of our staff, students, and parents remains our top priority as we head into this new school year,” says superintendent Kathleen Finnigan, in a statement to rdnewsNOW. “Masking in our classrooms was thoroughly discussed at our August 27 board meeting, and we decided to make them optional based on the advice we have received from Dr. Deena Hinshaw and Alberta Health Services.”

“We are stewards of health; not health experts. We have followed the advice of our provincial health experts since day one and we do not intend to stray from that advice,” added Finnigan. “We did a great job of keeping staff and students safe last year, and we intend to build upon that success. We also have everything in place should we need to pivot and change direction at a moment’s notice.”

At Chinook’s Edge School Division, the district will also be following AHS guidelines when school resumes Sept. 1.

At Wolf Creek Public Schools, students also return to class Sept. 1 under the same provincial guidelines.

In the Wild Rose School Division, all schools will follow current provincial health guidelines provided by Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer when students return to class this week.

At Clearview Public Schools, most students also return to class Sept. 1 and will also be following current provincial health guidelines.