Living Sky School Division and Light of Christ Catholic Schools, in alignment with recommendations from Public Health Officials, have announced their plans for 2021-2022 school start-up, in a release today.

"After consultation with local health officials, both school divisions will commence the school year requiring students and staff in elementary schools to wear masks while indoors. In addition, everyone in K-12 schools will be required to wear masks in common areas. Masks are required for everyone riding school buses and for all visitors to schools. Extracurricular clubs, sports, and activities will resume within the parameters of each school division’s Safe Schools Plan. Masks will not be required for outdoor activities," the release stated.

The details of each school division’s plan will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to the plan will be made considering advice from local health officials and data related to transmission risk, COVID-19 case rates, vaccine rates, and local epidemiological evidence. Staff is looking forward to welcoming back students, and all schools will resume in-person learning. Schools are prepared for learning contingencies should a hybrid or remote learning approach be required. Health will still conduct case investigations and be communicating with parents and schools.

Students and families are reminded to continue to be diligent by performing daily health screening, staying home if ill, calling the HealthLine at 811 if exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, practicing proper hand hygiene, maintaining physical distancing as much as possible, wearing a mask when appropriate, and doing everything they can to keep each other safe.

The full details of each plan are available on the school divisions’ websites. This release came from the Director of Education, Brenda Vickers on August 27.

The full back to school plan and release can be viewed here.