Calgary’s public school board has expanded mandatory mask use outside of the province’s recommendation and will require students in kindergarten through Grade 3 to also wear face coverings.
Christopher Usih, chief superintendent of schools for the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) sent out a letter on August 14, 2020 stating the following:
For the 2020-21 school year, the CBE will require all staff and students (kindergarten to Grade 12) to wear a mask at school. This includes classrooms and public spaces such as hallways, learning commons, bathrooms, etc. Masks are also required for staff and students travelling on Calgary Transit or a yellow school bus.
We are working on mask guidelines including support for students and staff who are unable to wear a mask due to medical conditions or other needs. When staff and students take breaks from wearing a mask, it will be important for other measures to be adhered to like physical distancing, hand hygiene, and sanitizing surfaces.
The province will provide all students and staff with two reusable cloth masks but families may want to purchase additional ones. If students forget their mask, schools will have some disposable ones available.
This means all children who decide to go back to school this upcoming school year will need to wear masks in their classrooms and public spaces such as hallways, learning commons and bathrooms.
Did you know Online Hub Registration for both CBE and CCSD is still open? But, online learning will require parent involvement and assistance. If you chose online for your children, they will have to commit to a full school year of online learning. Currently, CBE says you will have the opportunity to return your children to school in February 2021, but as CBE is continually reviewing its support for student learning, this will be reviewed by December 2020.
Learn more here: https://settlementcalgary.com/2020/08/13/online-hub-registration-for-cbe-open-aug-12-24/
For more information, please visit https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-board-of-education-to-mandate-masks-for-all-students-hire-additional-custodial-staff-1.5064574
