The school boards for Sylvan Lake were hard at work Sunday night ensuring all parents knew to keep their children home come Monday morning.
The Provincial Government announced during a press conference Sunday afternoon that all schools and day cares in Alberta were to close effective immediately.
Chinook’s Edge School Division and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools sent letters to parents Sunday night informing them of the Provincial Government’s decision and telling them plans are in place to continue education from home.
In a letter from Kurt Sacher, superintendent for Chinook’s Edge, parents were informed the school board is working on a plan to continue helping students moving forward, despite classes not being held.
“We will still be moving teaching and learning forward in our division. This will look different at different grades and in different schools. We will be sharing the plan with you once it becomes available,” the letter reads.
Parents in Chinook’s Edge will receive an update from the School Board later this evening, according to the letter.
Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools informed parents the school board will be working throughout the week creating a plan for continued education during this time.
“Our school division will spend this week (March 16-20) planning and preparing how we will support student learning during this period of school closure,” Red Deer Catholic told parents.
“Later on this week, teachers will communicate with parents/guardians to discuss how learning will be supported during this time of school closure.”
Both School divisions will contact parents soon with regards to student belongings left at the school.
According to the Province, classes will not be held, though teachers and staff will continue to work during the closure.
Provincial assessments will be cancelled, though diploma exams for graduating Grade 12 students will still be held.
The Alberta government says they will be working with post-secondary institutions to ensure these circumstances do not prevent students from being eligible for admission for the coming school year.
Licensed child care, out-of-school care and preschool programs are now closed as well. The province said approved day homes would be exempt from the closures as they care for fewer than seven children at a time.