Relaxing COVID Measures: Wolf Creek Public Schools Letter to Parents & Guardians Relaxing COVID-19 Measures June 15

Dear Parents/ Guardians: 

As announced by the Alberta Government this week, starting June 14 at 11:59 p.m. the province moved to Step 3 of the staged approach to relaxing COVID-19 measures.

Step 3 includes lifting mandatory masking on public transit and ends mandatory isolation. Isolation will remain recommended for those with symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test. Masking will still be required in Alberta Health Services (AHS) settings.

As you are aware, schools, including Wolf Creek Public Schools, removed any remaining COVID-19 school requirements, such as Kindergarten to Grade 6 cohorting and masking requirements of all adults and students in February. That was in line with changes to provincial requirements at the time.

The Alberta Government’s move to Step 3 of its staged approach to relaxing COVID-19 measures means the following for schools: 

General Information

• Isolation is no longer mandatory, but will remain recommended for those with symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test.
• Reference to the school guidance documents, the School Year Plan or the Alberta Health Daily Checklist is no longer required. 
• General guidance documents will continue to be available on alberta.ca, however many documents will be archived.
• Illness outbreaks in schools will be managed based on pre-pandemic practices through AHS, with identification of outbreaks based on student absenteeism. Wolf Creek schools will work with our local public health team (AHS), as needed. 

Provincial assessments  

For the 2022/23 school year, the following will occur:

• It is anticipated that weighting of diploma exams will return to 30% (previously 10% in 2021/22). 
• Diploma exams taken in August 2022 will continue under the current weighting of 10%.
• Diploma exams will be offered four times per year to support the quarter system.
• Mandatory Provincial Achievement Tests will continue for grades 6 and 9 (unless authorities are participating in piloting or optional implementation of draft Grade 6 curriculum).
• Literacy and numeracy screening assessment in grades 1 to 3 will be mandatory.

Shifts to at-home learning  

• As of June 30, 2022, school authorities will no longer be required to seek Minister approval to shift to at-home learning. As was the case before the COVID-19 pandemic, shifts to at-home learning for operational reasons will be at the discretion of school authorities.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wolf Creek Public Schools has followed all health restrictions set out by the provincial government. School divisions do not have the authority to impose guidelines above provincial health mandates. 

The weight of the past two to three years has been felt by everyone, from families to students to teachers and school staff. We sincerely want to thank all of you for your understanding and support. As we round out the remaining days of the school year, we do so with a continued commitment to provide safe learning environments where students can succeed. We wish you all the best in the remaining weeks and a relaxing and refreshing summer. 

Sincerely, 

Tim De Ruyck

Superintendent

Wolf Creek Public Schools