K-12 Students Moving to At-Home Learning Starting Friday, May 7, 2021

May 4, 2021

Please be advised that this evening the Premier of Alberta, Mr Jason Kenney made the following announced, ‘Given the significant impacts of COVID-19 in communities around Alberta, we announced today that all Kindergarten to Grade 12 students across the province will now temporarily shift to at-home learning beginning May 7, with a return to in-school learning on May 25.’

Tomorrow, school divisions will be meeting with Alberta Education staff regarding required program delivery for K-12 students during this time period. We will update you as soon as we know more information.

Below please see the full announcement from Minister of Education, Adriana LaGrange, and the link to the Premier’s full list of safety measures.

Stronger public health measures | Alberta.ca

Colleagues:

The health and safety of students and staff continues to be our top priority. Thank you for your continued diligence in implementing the health measures outlined in Guidance For School Re-Entry - Scenario 1 and for your resilience as we adapt to the ever changing COVID-19 pandemic.

Alberta’s government recently announced that Grades 7 to 12 students of schools located within the boundaries of several municipalities will temporarily shift to at-home/online learning.

Given the significant impacts of COVID-19 in communities around Alberta, we announced today that all Kindergarten to Grade 12 students across the province will now temporarily shift to at-home learning beginning May 7, with a return to in-school learning on May 25.

This decision is part of a province-wide approach to limit the spread of COVID-19, as well as to relieve some operational strains our system has experienced. As you know, schools in Alberta have been experiencing a shortage of substitute teachers, rising numbers of students and staff in quarantine or isolation, and increased community spread – which is reflected in the increasing number of cases in schools.

This will allow for a reset within the school system, which will allow us to return to in-class learning and have a strong finish to the school year.

During this time, learning for all students will continue. My Deputy Minister, Andre Tremblay, will be providing further operational details soon.

Please note that students with disabilities at all grade levels can continue to access services in school. This decision does not effect ECS operators, school boards and private ECS operators, who can continue to request, on a case-by-case basis, that individual schools move temporarily to at-home learning due to operational reasons.

We recognize that this may be a difficult transition for some families, but we also recognize the need to control the spread of COVID-19 in our province. I’m proud that throughout the majority of this school year, most students have been able to continue learning in the classroom. Now, we must come together as a province to protect our health care system.

Thank you for your continued efforts to keep our students safe and to ensure learning continues throughout this school year.

Sincerely,

Adriana LaGrange

Minister of Education