School divisions ready for in-person return

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on August 31, 2022.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke Lethbridge School Division superintendent Cheryl Gilmore speaks with reporters Tuesday as schools prepare to welcome students back to class.

With summer ending, schools in the city are gearing up to hit the books.

The Holy Spirit Catholic School Division sees a return to classes today, Aug. 31, while Lethbridge School Division will see students returning on Tuesday (Sept. 6) with a staggered entry for certain schools.

Lethbridge School Division has been preparing for the school year, hoping to deliver a full uninterrupted school semester to its students.

“We’re very excited to be welcoming you all to this new school year. Our staff and students are ready to go back next week. The staff have been in our schools, starting last week, and they’re ready for this new school year. We have a new curriculum for some of our students and our staff are ready for the delivery of that for our students,” said Allison Purcell, board chair of Lethbridge School Division, during a media event on Monday.

Students this year will see the implementation of the new curriculum for elementary students in Language Arts, Math, and Physical Education.

“The new curriculum that’s coming forward, as a board, we are moving forward with advocacy to ensure that we have a modern curriculum for our students. We’ll continue to advocate for that. But our staff are prepared for the new curriculum that they are delivering,” said Purcell.

Schools will also see a near normal return with masks not being required for students, following Alberta Health Services’ recommendations on implementing COVID-19 restrictions.

“At the current time, there aren’t any health measures that are specific to schools or school environments. Certainly, there are health recommendations that are on Alberta Health Services’ website. From the lens of schools, we encourage parents, and guardians, to take a look at those health guidelines that Alberta Health Services has. They are recommendations, they’re not mandatory, but they have to do with recognizing, or trying to monitor if their children have COVID,” said Cheryl Gilmore, superintendent of Lethbridge School Division. “We feel we’re in a great space in terms of being safe and healthy for children and staff to walk through those doors.”

The division will monitor closely if anything does arise, Gilmore noted.

AHS does take the lead on whether or not anything is an outcome in terms of restrictions, but as of now they have not heard anything in regards to a protocol if COVID numbers spike, saying they have met with AHS and nothing is being anticipated to hinder the students’ return to a near normal school semester.

Gilmore reminded parents and guardians that there is a staggered entry return for students this year, and to check school websites to confirm when their kids will be going back and if they have half days during the return.

As of Aug. 24, school offices are open to the public for any questions regarding students returning back to school.

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