St. Albert Public Schools (SAPS) is accepting applications for substitute educational assistants for the 2023/2024 school year — but only vaccinated people will be hired. .“As a precondition of employment, all potential new hires will be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (all recommended doses of a vaccine approved by Health Canada and recommended by Alberta Health Services),” said SAPS in a statement. .“Exceptions will only be considered upon proof of a medical condition, or other protected ground under the Alberta Human Rights Act.”.SAPS said formal post-secondary training is preferred. It said non-violent crisis intervention training is an asset. .Working with students with various learning and behavioural needs is an asset. Experience with providing social, emotional, and behavioural supports is preferred. .It said all applications submitted by the deadline on Sept. 29 will be considered. However, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. .“All new employees to St. Albert Public Schools are required to submit a recent (within 1 year), clear Criminal Record Check prior to commencement of employment,” it said. .Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced in 2022 several policies to prevent lockdowns and other discriminatory COVID-19 restrictions. .READ MORE: Smith announces permanent end of harmful and discriminatory COVID policies.“If I become premier of Alberta, my government will permanently prohibit several COVID-related policy measures that have proven to do more harm than good to society, especially as it relates to children and young adults who have been severely, adversely impacted over these last two-and-a-half years,” said Smith. .Her COVID-19 policies included keeping K-12 and post-secondary schools open for in-person learning, prohibiting mask mandates for K-12 and post-secondary students at school, and prohibiting employers from requiring proof of vaccination. .SAPS and Alberta Education could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
