Province releases update on returning to class in the fall

Education Minister, Kelvin Goertzen, and Dr. Brent Roussin, Chief Medical Health Officer, released a framework that focuses on a full return to in-class learning for all students on September 8, 2020. The plan includes emphasis on schools continuing to follow public health advice throughout the school year and for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We expect COVID-19 to be around for some time, so we need to be able to live with this virus. That's why schools are developing plans for the fall to ensure the safety of students and staff," said Dr. Roussin.

Pembina Trails is working on our specific division and school-level plans.  As always, we will follow the recommendations and guidelines given by the province to support the transition back to in-class learning. 

While the goal is a full return to in-class learning this fall, school divisions across the province were given three possible scenarios to consider, depending on the changing public health conditions, come September.

These scenarios include: 

• In-class learning resumes for all, with near normal conditions.
• In-class learning resumes with additional public health measures.
• Remote learning from home, with limited use of school facilities.

The province says a decision will be made on which back-to-school framework will be put into place by August 1, 2020. We will keep our community updated as planning moves forward. Our priority will be ensuring the health and safety of all. Knowing that busing and physical distancing will be a challenging, Pembina Trails is strongly encouraging parents and caregivers, who are able, to start considering transporting their own children to and from school this fall.

Read the government’s reopening plan here.