Grande Prairie, AB – Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) Senior Administration met on Wednesday to begin the process of transitioning schools to remote learning following the announcement from the province that all Kindergarten to Grade 12 students will move to at-home remote learning effective Friday morning, May 7, returning to in-school learning on Tuesday, May 25 following the Victoria Day holiday.
Additional information, provided on Wednesday during a province-wide virtual question and answer session with the Deputy Minister of Education, was shared with PWPSD Principals and Assistant Principals. Highlights are as follows:
PWPSD Remote Learning Plan:
- The province has approved a temporary operational shift to remote learning in response to the number of isolating students and staff, which impacts schools’ ability to offer adequate in-person learning. This two-week shift to remote learning will help ensure schools can finish the 2021-22 school year strongly and in person.
- All Kindergarten to Grade 12 students in Alberta will begin at-home remote learning on Friday, May 7. PWPSD schools that have a scheduled Compressed School Week (CSW) Day occurring on Friday, May 7 as part of their regular school year calendar will begin remote learning on Monday, May 10.
- Kindergarten to Grade 6 students will focus on the core areas of Literacy and Numeracy.
- Grades 7-12 students will participate in their regularly scheduled instruction.
- Schools will remain open and sufficiently staffed during the two-week period of remote learning.
- Families who need access to technology or additional learning supports should contact their school office.
- Students with special needs are permitted to continue to attend school in-person during the temporary move to remote learning. PUF programming for 3- and 4-year olds is included in this category. Those families are encouraged to contact their school office to discuss programming options.
- Some students may be approved on an individual basis to attend school in order to complete the requirements of DELF (French language certification), Apprenticeships, and Career and Technology Studies (CTS) courses.
- Students participating in off-campus programming should consult with their employer on how the temporary restrictions may impact operations for that particular company or organization.
- ECS operators and schools can continue to offer their pre-Kindergarten programming in the school.
- PWPSD Central Office and the Spirit River Sub-Office will remain open, to facilitate remote learning operations.
PWPSD appreciates and thanks students, staff, families and community members for their ongoing flexibility and patience during what has been one of the most challenging years in education in recent history.
On Wednesday, the province announced vaccine eligibility for Albertans over the age of 12. This is in addition to the vaccines already made available for teachers, education and child care workers starting May 4.
“The safety of our staff and students, and their families continues to be our highest priority,” says Superintendent Bob Stewart.
“We encourage everyone to follow the current public health guidance, including that all those who are eligible to be vaccinated will do so at their earliest opportunity during the established vaccine roll-out phases, as outlined by the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services. We look forward to the return to in-school learning on May 25, and in the longer term, to the day when the pandemic is no longer a threat to the wellbeing of our students, staff, families and community members.”
-30-
Media Contact:
Angela Sears
Communications Officer
(780) 357-5224