All students, staff of Calgary public school board required to wear masks at start of school year
The Calgary Board of Education will mandate indoor face mask use for all students and staff when the traditional school year begins on Sept. 1.
The move was announced in a letter sent by Christopher Usih, CBE chief superintendent of schools, to parents and guardians Wednesday afternoon.
According to Usih's letter, students from kindergarten through Grade 12 will be required to wear face coverings while inside school buildings.
“We see this as a prudent approach to start up the school year to make sure that students again are in school in person," said Usih. "We want our students to return. I want to do everything possible to ensure that their learning is not disrupted as a result of illness within our schools,”
The decision was made after taking into account increasing COVID-19 case numbers, lower vaccination rates for those ages 12 to 19 and considering that those under 12 are not eligible to receive a vaccine.
“At this time given that the vaccination rates for those 12 to 19 are just a little over 50 per cent …It’s really important that we take those extra precautions," Usih said.
“This provides a greater level of confidence that we taking the extra step to ensure greater safety for all our students and staff, recognizing that health and safety is top priority,” Usih added.
Plans are currently in place to extend the mask guidance of the 2020-2021 school year, including all outlined exceptions, into the start of 2021-2022 but the guidance document will be updated as necessary later this month.
Usih said the mandated use of masks will be reviewed prior to the end of September. Any potential changes to the CBE rules will be made with consideration for active COVID-19 case counts in Calgary and Alberta as well as the direction of Alberta's chief medical officer of health and Alberta Education.
HEALTH MEASURES
CBE students in the modified calendar returned to class earlier this week with the mask requirement in place.
Other health measures will include:
-Students and staff will be expected to use a daily checklist to identify if they have COVID-19 symptoms and should stay home;
-Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of high traffic/touch areas;
-Enhanced ventilation in school;
-Classroom cohorts in kindergarten to Grade 6; and
-No unscheduled visitors or volunteers will be permitted in school at the start of the school year.
The CBE said at the direction of the Chief Medical Officer of Health it will no longer inform close contacts of positive cases, but additional health measures may be implemented if outbreaks occur.
The CBE will be lifting some measures including allowing band and sports activities and some field trips.
The CBE continues to encourage all of its eligible employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.