Updated Provincial Restrictions- Message to Families

Fort McMurray Catholic Schools first released our Back to School Guide in mid August as we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. Fort McMurray Catholic Schools remains committed to revisiting our plans as events warrant. 

As we are sure you are aware last night it was announced that Alberta is now in a state of public health emergency. New restrictions and regulations were also put in place as we continue the fight against COVID-19. 

A portion of these regulations announced last night do relate to schools. We reach out to you now to inform you of some changes to our Back to School Guide and protocols. 

Masks

• As Alberta is now in a state of public health emergency, Fort McMurray Catholic Schools will follow the updated guidance from the Government in regards to masking. More information can be found in the Mask section of our Back to School Guide. 

Cohorts

• As per the Government of Alberta requirements our elementary schools will again be utilizing cohorts. This will be similar to our process last year. 

Sport/ Performance Attendance 

• Spectator attendance is limited to one-third fire code capacity. Attendees must be masked and ensure physical distancing between different households or an individual who lives alone and their two close contacts.

Notification of Positive Cases

The Government of Alberta has indicated schools will not be informed about individual cases of COVID-19 by Alberta Health Services. Staff and students may choose to notify a school about a positive COVID-19 test, but it is not required. 

Fort McMurray Catholic Schools is making the decision to inform class families when we receive word of a confirmed case that was potentially infectious while in school. This process will begin Monday, September 20th. We recognize this may be imperfect and will be based on the honour system. 

Our Division will as always endeavour to maintain the privacy of those who receive positive test results, as well as be as transparent as possible and share information in the public interest about cases of which we are made aware.

We encourage families to make us aware when a child tests positive. When/if families report a positive case to the school, you are providing consent for the school to send out a notice to specific classes. You would have the opportunity to withdraw this consent by speaking with your school.

We will make families aware in the classroom which a person was present while potentially infectious. We will do this via email. There will be no action for families to take as AHS is no longer identifying or following up with close contacts, and quarantine for close contacts is no longer mandatory. But we feel this information is important to share as families may wish to monitor more closely for symptoms. 

AHS continues to investigate outbreaks in schools. AHS has defined an outbreak as an absentee rate of over 10% due to influenza or respiratory illness. Should an outbreak be declared at your school, you will be sent additional information via email. 

We continue to remind families to monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 using the Alberta Health Screening Questionnaire. If you or a member of your family have any of the symptoms of illness listed, please fill out the online Alberta Health Services COVID-19 self-assessment or call Health Link at 811.

Thank you for your continued support,

Fort McMurray Catholic Schools