Alberta's government is adding new rules on how the province’s schools can move to online learning, as well as restricting the masking of children specifying mask-wearing can’t be a condition of attending class.."I have heard from parents and students that they would like stability, and from school boards that they would like clarity," Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange said.."Alberta’s government is ensuring all students continue to have access to in-person learning and family choice.".On Thursday, LaGrange sent a letter to Alberta's parents and guardians.."We know, we have asked a lot of you in the past couple of years since March 2020. Parents and families have been told with little to no notice students will be required to move to learning at home or online. We have heard firsthand from students, parents, and teachers that learning disruptions over the course of the past couple of years impacted the mental health and well-being of students significantly impacted learning development, and has placed a financial burden and additional stress on working parents and families," LaGrange said in the letter.."In recent months, parents have approached our office with uncertainty and questions, concerned their child's education may once again be impacted by transitions to at home learning. School authorities sought clarity related to their ability to bring in health measures that may limit access to education given there are currently no health orders to support these decisions. I have announced new regulations effective November 24, that will protect students' access to in-person learning.".This includes:.Ensuring access to in-person learning for Gr. One to 12 students despite any instances of operational issues caused by the rate of students and or teacher absenteeism.Affirming that a student cannot be denied in-person education by their school authority due to their personal decision to wear or not wear a mask. This applies to all students.."We know all Alberta families are facing increased costs due to rising inflation affecting mortgages, fuel costs electricity, heating, and food. These changes will ensure parents can continue to work to support their families without the added burden of funding and paying for childcare during the school day," LaGrange said..Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her government will never bring in masking mandates into schools during pandemics ever again..READ MORE: Smith vows to never bring COVID mask mandates into Alberta schools.And Smith said her government would look at the Court of King's Bench ruling that said the mandates brought in under premier Jason Kenney were "unreasonable.".An Alberta Court of King's Bench justice issued a ruling on the case concerning the Government of Alberta’s decision to lift mask mandates in schools, finding it "was made for improper purposes" and "unreasonable.".Now that action is being taken by Alberta's government.."This will also ensure all students have access to specialized support provided in a school environment. We know isolation in recent years has increased youth mental health issues when the students need access to supports provided at school," LaGrange said.."Our teachers have worked hard to ensure students who have fallen behind grade level due to the instability in learning environments have the additional supports they need in the classroom. By protecting in-person learning students will be provided with stability, as has always been the case the Public Health Act provides the overreaching direction on all public health matters and it will continue to prevail over the Education Act and associated regulations in a future public health emergency.".Twitter users were quick to react to the new rule change. Some applauded Alberta's government's decision while others slammed them.."A child died from a respiratory virus the same day you are announcing that schools can no longer take measures that the Government of Alberta has conceded are effective at reducing transmission," Timothy Huyer said.."Our school recently had to cancel an entire grade (Grade 11) because so many of the staff were sick, and no substitutes were available in the district. We have a school-wide outbreak of illness. So many kids too ‘sick’ to learn. You guarantee nothing but more illness and absenteeism," another user said.."What parents and students have you heard from? This is an outright lie. You are a disgrace. Resign."."We hope with this new regulatory change comes more predictable and stable circumstances, an increase in the mental well-being of our students, and the preservation of in-person quality learning opportunities for students," LaGrange said.
Alberta's government is adding new rules on how the province’s schools can move to online learning, as well as restricting the masking of children specifying mask-wearing can’t be a condition of attending class.."I have heard from parents and students that they would like stability, and from school boards that they would like clarity," Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange said.."Alberta’s government is ensuring all students continue to have access to in-person learning and family choice.".On Thursday, LaGrange sent a letter to Alberta's parents and guardians.."We know, we have asked a lot of you in the past couple of years since March 2020. Parents and families have been told with little to no notice students will be required to move to learning at home or online. We have heard firsthand from students, parents, and teachers that learning disruptions over the course of the past couple of years impacted the mental health and well-being of students significantly impacted learning development, and has placed a financial burden and additional stress on working parents and families," LaGrange said in the letter.."In recent months, parents have approached our office with uncertainty and questions, concerned their child's education may once again be impacted by transitions to at home learning. School authorities sought clarity related to their ability to bring in health measures that may limit access to education given there are currently no health orders to support these decisions. I have announced new regulations effective November 24, that will protect students' access to in-person learning.".This includes:.Ensuring access to in-person learning for Gr. One to 12 students despite any instances of operational issues caused by the rate of students and or teacher absenteeism.Affirming that a student cannot be denied in-person education by their school authority due to their personal decision to wear or not wear a mask. This applies to all students.."We know all Alberta families are facing increased costs due to rising inflation affecting mortgages, fuel costs electricity, heating, and food. These changes will ensure parents can continue to work to support their families without the added burden of funding and paying for childcare during the school day," LaGrange said..Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her government will never bring in masking mandates into schools during pandemics ever again..READ MORE: Smith vows to never bring COVID mask mandates into Alberta schools.And Smith said her government would look at the Court of King's Bench ruling that said the mandates brought in under premier Jason Kenney were "unreasonable.".An Alberta Court of King's Bench justice issued a ruling on the case concerning the Government of Alberta’s decision to lift mask mandates in schools, finding it "was made for improper purposes" and "unreasonable.".Now that action is being taken by Alberta's government.."This will also ensure all students have access to specialized support provided in a school environment. We know isolation in recent years has increased youth mental health issues when the students need access to supports provided at school," LaGrange said.."Our teachers have worked hard to ensure students who have fallen behind grade level due to the instability in learning environments have the additional supports they need in the classroom. By protecting in-person learning students will be provided with stability, as has always been the case the Public Health Act provides the overreaching direction on all public health matters and it will continue to prevail over the Education Act and associated regulations in a future public health emergency.".Twitter users were quick to react to the new rule change. Some applauded Alberta's government's decision while others slammed them.."A child died from a respiratory virus the same day you are announcing that schools can no longer take measures that the Government of Alberta has conceded are effective at reducing transmission," Timothy Huyer said.."Our school recently had to cancel an entire grade (Grade 11) because so many of the staff were sick, and no substitutes were available in the district. We have a school-wide outbreak of illness. So many kids too ‘sick’ to learn. You guarantee nothing but more illness and absenteeism," another user said.."What parents and students have you heard from? This is an outright lie. You are a disgrace. Resign."."We hope with this new regulatory change comes more predictable and stable circumstances, an increase in the mental well-being of our students, and the preservation of in-person quality learning opportunities for students," LaGrange said.
