(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

reaction to phasing out restrictions

School divisions not consulted on change to mask requirements

Feb 10, 2022 | 3:53 PM

School divisions are reacting to news this week that COVID-related restrictions will soon change.

Starting Feb. 14, there will be no masking requirements for children and youth in schools or on school buses in Alberta. Children can wear masks if they choose to do so.

Red Deer Public Schools emphasizes that divisions were not consulted before Premier Jason Kenney made the announcement earlier this week.

“Throughout the pandemic up to now, local school boards have been given the authority to practice enhanced health measures. However, following Tuesday’s announcement, under the direction of the provincial government, school divisions do not have the authority to impose guidelines above and beyond provincial health mandates,” Nicole Buchanan, board chair, says in a release.

“Red Deer Public will continue to implement other prevention measures including cohorting, as well as enhanced cleaning and sanitization, in all school environments until we are guided otherwise by the province.”

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Red Deer Public has a 10.0 per cent staff absenteeism rate as of Thursday, Feb. 10.

Student absenteeism due to illness across the division sits at 5.42 per cent, with a one-school high of 18.73 per cent.

“At their regularly scheduled meeting on February 9, the Board of Trustees rescinded Policy 20, a temporary policy regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and testing for staff, practicum students, trustees, visitors and volunteers,” Buchanan adds.

Masking will still be required for adults, including teachers, admin, other school staff, volunteers and bus drivers until further notice.

At Red Deer Catholic, teacher absences numbered 262 from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4. Of those, 173 went unfilled. Out of another 157 support staff absences, 54 went unfilled.

“As a school division, we will continue to diligently practice hand hygiene, follow disinfecting protocols and support all of our students and staff as they journey these changes. We recognize that for some, this is a highly-anticipated change, and for others, these changes are met with worry and concern,” says Kathleen Finnigan, Superintendent.

“COVID-19 has placed strains and challenges on all of our families over the past two years. I find myself turning to Ephessian 4:32, ‘[And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.'”

Meantime, Jason Schilling, Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), says teachers are worried about the speed at which the government has announced the removal of masking requirements.

“Once again, the government has made a decision without consulting educational stakeholders, including the Association and school boards. Consulting those working every day in schools was the bare minimum the government should have done. They didn’t,” says Schilling.

“We have consistently heard from the government that schools reflect the COVID that is present in the community. Why remove the mask mandate so quickly when community spread has not decreased significantly? What will be so different next week from this week?”

Red Deer Polytechnic confirmed Wednesday it will no longer require vaccination records for those attending campus — a decision made, it says, after considering the government’s announcement.

In-person learning is scheduled to resume Feb. 28, though the school says it is reviewing information in order to establish an updated plan for the winter term and beyond.

“In the short term, we have established that spectators will be allowed at Athletics events, starting with games this evening, and we will no longer require proof of vaccination to access our campuses and learning centres,” says Jim Brinkhurst, interim president. “Other COVID measures remain in place at this time, as described on our website.”