Medicine Hat Catholic Schools are eagerly planning for the return to school for the 2020/21 school year. We want our families to know that we are committed to following all guidelines and directives from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Alberta Health Services, and Alberta Education to ensure a safe re-entry to our school facilities.
We want to thank you for the continued support of your child’s school administration, teachers and staff members. With patience, grace and positivity, we will all learn and adapt to these new procedures and grow stronger as a school community, together.
Student Illness Guide: When should my child stay home?
On September 3, 2020 the government of Alberta released a document to help schools and parents better understand how to assess student illness. We are aware that managing student illness is challenging for families, and we are all learning together as we move through the school year.
Here is a one-page guide to help families assess their children based on the symptoms they are showing. Symptoms are now categorized as “core” COVID symptoms and “other” symptoms. Each category of symptoms requires a different course of action to take.
Parents, students and school staff must review the daily self-screening questionnaire each day before entering a school building. Visitors must also use this questionnaire to determine if they may enter a school.
Back to School Precautions and Information
August 26, 2020
With school opening just around the corner, we are excited to welcome our staff and students back in our buildings once again! Although returning to class will look different than years past, by preparing children ahead of time we can help reduce fears associated wtith these changes.
In response to COVID-19 concerns, our schools have all adjusted with changes following guidelines and directives from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Alberta Health Services, and Alberta Education to ensure a safe re-entry to our school facilities. We encourage you to watch this video with your child to show them that school may look a little different this year in order to help keep everyone safe https://youtu.be/lIlDH_tb7I4.
While students may be nervous to return with these new guidelines in place, we want to assure them that returning to school will continue to be a warm, welcoming and enjoyable experience despite these changes.
Masks are required for students in grades 4-12. If a student arrives without their own mask on the first day, a disposable mask will be provided for them.
Students in grades 4-12 are asked to arrive at school wearing their masks before they enter the school building.
Parents are asked to wear masks while meeting their child’s teacher, even if the meeting is outside.
Until further notice, all school visitors (including parents/guardians) are required to wear masks when entering the building. If a visitor arrives without their own mask, a disposable mask will be provided for them.
All students riding the school bus are required to wear a mask (grades K-12). If a student arrives without their own mask, a disposable mask will be provided for them.
Two reusable masks will be provided for each student K-12, from Alberta Education, and will be distributed on the first day of school. Children can bring their own non-medical masks to school.
Talk to your child about how to properly wear their masks and how to store their masks when not in use. You might want to practice wearing masks at home, too!
Staying Home when Symptomatic, Daily Screening Questionnaire and At-Home Learning
Parents, students and school staff must review the daily self-screening questionnaire each day before entering a school building. Visitors must also use this questionnaire to determine if they may enter a school.
Talk to your child about the Daily Screening Questionnaire is, and explain the importance of telling an adult if they are not feeling well at home or during the school day.
At the beginning of the school year, each child will receive a fridge magnet displaying the school year calendar and daily screening questionnaire. It is our hope that the magnet serves as a useful tool for families to access the daily screening tool at a glance each morning before arriving at school.
At-Home Learning is available for students showing symptoms or unable to attend school. Please contact your child’s school principal to learn more about at-home learning.
Hand sanitizer will be provided for all students as they board the school bus.
All school buses will be disinfected at the end of the morning route and at the end of the afternoon route. This includes cleaning of all high touchpoints and the seats using appropriate sanitizer.
School Bus Drivers will wear appropriate PPE. Face masks will be worn and supplemented with a face shield when students are loading or unloading the school bus.
Students are required to register for transportation in accordance with the protocols developed by the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education. This will assist with ensuring there are sufficient seats on the bus, developing a seating plan and assisting with contact tracing.
It is mandatory to wear a mask all MHCBE school busses for all students K-12.
Talk to your child about precautions they can take while they are at school
Washing and sanitizing their hands more often during the school day
Being mindful of physical distancing
Wearing a mask at school in hallways, common areas and where physical distancing guidelines cannot be met (mandatory for grades 4-12 students, optional for K-3 students)
Students should avoid sharing food, water bottles, devices, writing instruments, and books with other students.
Update health and contact information
Make sure your contact information is current at school click here to learn more.
If your child has symptoms related to allergies or a pre-existing medical condition, the child should be tested at least once before returning to school, and have a negative COVID-19 test result (tests can be booked here). These symptoms would be their baseline health status. For example, as long as the child’s cough or runny nose is always the same and does not get worse, the student can attend school.
Parents/guardians can note their child’s pre-existing conditions by filling out an online form in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Schools will keep a confidential record of your child’s pre-existing condition. Note: parents will receive an email notification once the form has been assigned.
Create new routines at home
Emphasize and model healthy behaviours at home
Develop new daily routines. For example, pack necessary items such as hand sanitizer, hand lotion, and an additional back up mask etc. the night before.
Talk about things children can do when they return home from school such as washing hands immediately and putting used masks in a special areas
Please visit your child’s school website and review the school re-entry plan leading up to the first day of school. We encourage you to talk with your child about these new procedures and invite them to share their thoughts, joys and worries as we navigate this new school year. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.
School Re-Entry Plans were shared with families on Friday, August 21. Each plan will highlight school-specific details including access to the school, arrival/pick-up protocol, classroom configuration, food services, recess, extracurricular activities and more.
We want to thank you for the continued support of your child’s school administration, teachers and staff members. With patience, grace and positivity, we will all learn and adapt to these new procedures and grow stronger as a school community, together.
It is our belief that learning in a classroom setting keeps children engaged, promotes collaborative learning, helps build relationships, develop social skills, encourages emotional, spiritual and physical wellness. It is our hope that students and families are comfortable and eager to return to the classroom with the proper health measures in place.
Learning from home
We understand that due to many factors such as illness, being immunocompromised, having a loved one with a health condition etc., your child may require a learning from home option for a period of time.
Here is what you can expect if your child is learning from home:
Your child's teacher will have an online presence allowing students to access lessons, homework and learning materials from home
Google Classroom, Voice Thread, Remind App etc.
Students and parents will be in regular communication with their teachers
A division teacher will be available online daily for additional support
*If your child requires learning from home, please contact your school principal*
Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education School Re-Entry Information
On Tuesday, July 21, The Government of Alberta along with Alberta Education announced that schools across Alberta will be welcoming students back under Scenario 1: In-class learning with enhanced health and safety measures.
We are looking forward to being back in our school buildings with our staff and students on August 31. It is our promise that safety and wellness in our schools will continue to be a priority as we return to school.
Self-screening questionnaire: Parents, students and school staff must review the self-screening questionnaire each day before going to a school building. Visitors must also use this questionnaire to determine if they may enter a school.
1) In-class learning with health measures in place It is our belief that learning in a classroom setting keeps children engaged, promotes collaborative learning, helps build relationships, develop social skills, encourages emotional, spiritual and physical wellness. It is our hope that students and families are comfortable and eager to return to the classroom with the proper health measures in place.
2) Learning from home We understand that due to many factors such as illness, being immunocompromised, having a loved one with a health condition etc., your child may require a learning from home option for a period of time.
Here is what you can expect if your child is learning from home:
Your child's teacher will have an online presence allowing students to access lessons, homework and learning materials from home
Google Classroom, Voice Thread, Remind App etc.
Students and parents will be in regular communication with their teachers
A division teacher will be available online daily for additional support
*If your child requires learning from home, please contact your school principal*
Will school bell times/semesters change due to COVID-19?
School bell times have not been modified as of July 31 and can be found here. Your child’s school day should not be dramatically different from the regular school days prior to COVID-19. School-specific information will be shared with families as the new school year approaches. Note: Monsignor McCoy High School will continue running a two-semester format.
Face masks:
Students in grades 4-12 and all school staff must wear masks as part of new school safety measures. Students and staff will receive 2 reusable masks from the government of Alberta.
Mask use will be mandatory for staff and teachers in all settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Students will be required to wear them in all shared and common areas such as in hallways and on buses. Exemptions will be made for students and staff who are unable to wear a mask due to medical or other needs.
Mask use for kindergarten to grade three students will continue to be optional as mask use for younger children is a challenge due to difficulties with proper fit and compliance.
Hand sanitizer and regular hand washing:
Hand sanitizer stations are being installed at the entrance of every school as well as outside every classroom. Hand drying stations are being replaced by paper towel dispensers. There will be regular scheduled handwashing breaks (i.e. after recess, before lunch, etc.)
Physical distancing and cohorting:
As the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is reduced by limiting exposure to others, cohorts are recommended in schools where possible. A cohort is defined as a group of students and staff who remain together. The size of the cohort will depend on the physical space of the classroom or learning setting.
Cohorting will be done in schools for the purposes of contact tracing and limiting unnecessary physical interaction. Staff and students will be mindful of physical distancing even within a cohort whenever possible to minimize the risk for transmission (i.e. spacing between desks).
What modifications are being made in classrooms?
Classrooms, desktops, and countertops will be decluttered of all non-essential items to allow for custodial cleaning. This will also provide a ‘minimalist’ type environment to accommodate space required for social distancing, limit frequently touched items and prevent sharing of spaces and items.
Area rugs and soft furnishings that cannot be easily cleaned and disinfected will be removed.
There will be little to no communal items in classrooms. Books, computers and high touch items will be sanitized regularly.
Where possible, natural ventilation will be maximized by opening the doors and windows to periodically circulate airflow.
Each class will have a sanitization station outside the classroom. Students are welcome to bring their own personal bottle of hand sanitizer if they choose.
Assigned classroom seating will assist in contact tracing
Workspaces and desks should be separated from each other by a minimum of 2 meters.
If 2 meters cannot be arranged between desks/tables, desks may be set up in rows or around the perimeter of the room so that children are not directly facing one another. This way, if a student coughs or sneezes, they are not likely to cough or sneeze directly on the face of another student.
Will my child be required to sit at their desk all day?
No. Students will be able to move around their classroom and work with their classmates as scenario 1 strives for a “near normal” school situation. Staff will be mindful of physical distancing within their cohort to minimize the risk for transmission. Teachers may also choose to deliver instruction outdoors when appropriate. Our goal is to keep the school day as “normal” as possible while following health and safety guidelines.
Who will do the enhanced cleaning?
Custodial staff will be engaged in more frequent cleaning. Daytime custodians will be present so that ongoing cleaning of “high touch” surfaces (door knobs/light switches/handrails) and common spaces (bathrooms) can be conducted frequently throughout the day with deep cleans in the evening.
Gentle, non-toxic cleaning products (approved by Health Canada) will be available to staff and students for occasional use. Only custodial staff and other, selected, support staff will work with cleaning supplies other than those described here.
Shared School Spaces
Learning Commons, gymnasiums, and foyers remain available for instructional use maximizing physical distancing where possible. Fitness centres and gymnasiums are only to be used for curricular purposes - again with an emphasis on maintaining physical distancing. Playgrounds remain open for student use. Protocols about visiting the school office whether that be for parents, students or staff will be established and shared at each school level. Each school is required to have a space dedicated for COVID-19 quarantining.
What will elementary school recess look like?
Schools may limit the number of students on playground equipment at any one time and ensure students are washing/sanitizing hands before and after using the playground. In an effort to maintain good mental health and wellness, students will continue to have a chance to play and socialize with their classmates. Recesses may be staggered so that fewer children are on the playground and class sets of play equipment will be provided. Low contact games and activities that support reasonable distancing will be encouraged.
What about the Physical Education (PE) program?
When possible, PE programming will be delivered outdoors. Teachers will modify units and activities so there is limited physical contact of people or resources. Initially, this will result in a focus on individual skills rather than team skills.
What about Music, Dance, CTF and CTS programs?
Instruction of dance, music, and theatre may proceed so long as the guidance for music, dance, and theatre is followed. Music, dance and theatrical performances are cancelled at this time. CTF and CTS learning opportunities will be modified, where possible, to ensure appropriate physical distancing can be maintained.
Field Trips
Field trips should not be scheduled, they remain cancelled at this time.
Academy Programs
Academy offsite programming may proceed with appropriate social distancing and hand washing procedures in place.
School bus safety measures
The public health measures for school buses include increased cleaning and disinfection of high touch surfaces, maintaining a protective zone for the driver, assigning students to seats that are grouped with other household members, and using loading/unloading procedures that support physical distancing.
Will my child be required to bring or purchase their own electronic device to school? (i.e. iPad, laptop, Chromebook etc.)
No. Should a student need to take a device home, families can make arrangements with their school principal to sign out a device as needed.
If a student has symptoms related to allergies or a pre-existing medical condition
Students with preexisting conditions should be tested at least once before returning to school and have a negative COVID-19 test result. These symptoms would be their baseline health status. As long as the cough or runny nose is always the same and does not get worse, the student can attend school. Talk to your school about your child’s pre-existing medical condition so the school may keep a confidential record of this condition. Learn more: Alberta Health Services Guidance Document
What will be the impact on school assemblies and liturgies?
These gatherings will be suspended while there continues to be gathering restrictions. Announcements and Liturgies will be conducted using the school PA system or streamed video.
If a student shows symptoms at school
Any student presenting symptoms as identified in the self-monitoring checklist will be asked to wear a mask and be isolated in a separate room and kept at least 2 metres away from others. We want to assure parents that the situation will be handled in a caring and compassionate way and their emotional needs will be met. The child’s parent/guardian will be contacted and required to pick up their child from school immediately. Note: parents/guardians should ensure their child’s school has the most up-to-date contact information.
Staff supervising symptomatic students must
Keep student isolated
Provide the student with a face mask (schools will have a supply of disposable face masks available)
Use strict hand washing techniques
Maintain physical distancing
After the student is picked-up, post a sign indicating the room must be cleaned and contact the appropriate custodial staff.
All items the student touched/used that day will be cleaned and disinfected as soon as the student has been picked up. Items that cannot be cleaned and disinfected (i.e. paper, books, cardboard puzzles) will be removed from the classroom and stored in a sealed container for a minimum of 10 days.
If there is a case of COVID-19 at school
A public health team will investigate the case to find out when the symptoms developed and support the school to minimize the spread. Parents/guardians will be notified if a case of COVID-19 is confirmed at school and public health officials will contact those who were in close contact with the case.
The zone medical officer of health will work with school authorities to quickly:
identify cases
identify close contacts
create isolation measures when needed
provide follow-up recommendations
A COVID-19 case will not automatically lead to school closure. Parents will be notified if a case of COVID-19 is confirmed at school and public health officials will contact those who were in close contact with the person. Each school authority will support students and staff to learn or work at home if they are required to self-isolate.
What about lunch programs?
Staff and students will be required to pack-in and pack-out all food each day. Parents/guardians will be asked to have student food provided in clean containers with their own utensils. Staff and students will not share food, utensils, dishes, and water bottles or drink containers. The provision of brown bag lunch may be a possibility.
Schools that currently have a School Nutrition Program will continue to be served meals following guidance from Alberta Health Services.
What if my child is immunocompromised and requires online learning?
Students requiring online learning will be accommodated on a case by case basis. Families are encouraged to contact their school principal or email info@mhcbe.ab.ca to explore modified learning options for your child.
Where can I find more detailed information about MHCBE’s plans for the upcoming school year?
Schools are in the process of developing their own school-specific re-entry guide to answer questions staff and families may have. A full school re-entry guide will be published for each school before the return of school in August.
If I have a question or concern who should I contact?
All questions can be directed to your school principal or to the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education at 403-527-2292 or via email to info@mhcbe.ab.ca.
Please note: School divisions do not have the authority to make public health decisions. If steps are taken in relation to a public health concern, is at the direction of Alberta Health Services and local health authorities. The Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education is in regular communication with Alberta Education, Alberta Health Services and school divisions across the province.
School Health Measures Update
Students in grades 4-12 and all school staff must wear masks as part of new school safety measures. Students and staff will receive 2 reusable masks from the government of Alberta.
Mask use will be mandatory for staff and teachers in all settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Students will be required to wear them in all shared and common areas such as in hallways and on buses. Exemptions will be made for students and staff who are unable to wear a mask due to medical or other needs.
Mask use for kindergarten to grade three students will continue to be optional as mask use for younger children is a challenge due to difficulties with proper fit and compliance.
Other health measures: ☑️ Reusable face shields for school staff, to be used at their discretion in schools. Plastic face shields can help reduce exposure but are not equivalent to masks. A mask must still be worn while wearing a face shield.
☑️ 466,000 litres of hand sanitizer will be distributed between all school authorities.
☑️ Contactless thermometers will be provided to each school to help manage student and staff health.
☑️ Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services are working hard to expand testing capacity and reduce turnaround times so anyone with symptoms or close contacts of cases can be rapidly tested and receive results promptly.
All supplies will be distributed to school authorities before the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. Authorities will distribute to individual schools, staff and/or students based on the needs of their own communities.
On Tuesday, July 21 at 3:00pm, The Government of Alberta along with Alberta Education announced that schools will be welcoming students back to school under scenario 1, which is near-normal daily operations with health measures.
We are looking forward to being back in our school buildings with our staff and students on August 31! It is our promise that safety and wellness in our schools will continue to be a priority as we return to school.
We want our staff, students and families to find comfort knowing that our leadership team is working through the summer months to prepare as we move into the new school year. It is our promise that safety and wellness in our schools will continue to be our main priority. Once again, we would like to thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate through these unforeseen circumstances. God bless!
Find the 2020-2021 division school year calendar, bell times, school supply lists and more on MHCBE's Back to School Basics page.
