Masks will be the norm at Alberta schools when classes resume at the end of this month.
Education Minister Adriana LaGrange announced Aug. 4 that non-medical masks will be mandatory in common areas such as hallways or school buses for all students in Grades 4 through 12, as well as all teachers and staff. Mask use for Kindergarten through Grade 3 will be optional.
“This is because mask use for younger children is a challenge due to difficulties with proper fit and compliance,” said LaGrange in a press conference. “Additionally, current medical evidence suggests children under 10 may be less likely than older children or adults to transmit COVID-19.”
Foothills School Division was not surprised to hear the announcement on mandatory masking after seeing how other provinces handled their return to school policies.
“We have heard from the beginning of this pandemic from Dr. Hinshaw (Alberta chief medical officer of Health Deena Hinshaw) that she and her team continue to review the available evidence,” said superintendent Chris Fuzessy. “I think we’re just continuing to adapt and pivot to what the latest recommendations are from Alberta Health.”
He said the Province’s commitment to providing masks and hand-sanitizer to schools will be appreciated by the entire FSD community.
“Any support we can receive financially is definitely appreciated,” he said, adding the school board had been sourcing sanitizer and reusable masks and shields since the announcement in June that classes would resume in the fall.
The school board will continue providing the necessary equipment to keep staff and students safe by using its savings, he said.
“Prior to today’s announcement we had been considering already strongly encouraging mask use,” said Fuzessy. “We will also be providing two reusable masks to each staff member by tapping into those reserves to be able to ensure that safety element.”
He said the FSD relaunch handbook is available on the website at www.fsd38.ab.ca and will be updated with new information as soon as possible.
The Province is shouldering the burden of the new rules, LaGrange said, providing two reusable masks to each student, teacher and staff member in Alberta for a total of more than 1.6 million masks to be distributed to schools over the next four weeks before students return to class. Single-use masks will also be provided in case students or staff misplace or forget to bring their own.
In addition, the government is providing reusable face shields for all teachers, support staff and bus drivers to be used at the discretion of individuals in conjunction with their face masks. Nearly half of the shields – 53,000 – are being donated by an Ontario-based company, Canadian Shield.
Schools will also be given hand-sanitizer for the mandatory stations at each entrance and two contactless thermometers.
Hinshaw said the decision to make masks mandatory for Grades 4 and up was based on close review of medical evidence and the actions of other jurisdictions.
“This is similar to the approach being adapted in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia,” said Hinshaw during the press conference Aug. 4. “It is an important measure to help minimize the risks of catching and spreading COVID-19.”
She said mask use will not be required inside the classroom when students are seated and the teacher is distanced from them, noting the Province has been working with school boards to provide guidance for desk and furniture arrangements that avoid face-to-face configurations to ensure students are safe in the classroom.
When activities within the classroom dictate closer interactions, masking will be required, she said.
“There is growing evidence that wearing non-medical masks can interrupt transmission in public indoor spaces, including in school settings with older children,” said Hinshaw. “After reviewing the literature, I believe that requiring masks in all staff, and in all children Grades 4 and above, is essential to limiting the spread within schools and protecting the health of everyone involved.”
She added no single precaution or public health measure will completely eliminate the risk of exposure, and said schools will also be implementing physical distancing, frequent hand-washing and enhanced cleaning measures to maintain a safe environment.
It will be up to everyone involved in the school community to follow the guidelines and keep one another safe, she said.
“This is part of living in the new normal of COVID-19,” said Hinshaw. “We must be agile, adaptive, and guided by the evidence as it emerges. This is the best way to protect the health, safety and well-being of students, staff, families and communities.”
Fuzessy said the FSD relaunch handbook is available on the website at www.fsd38.ab.ca and will be updated with new information as soon as possible.
Scott Morrison, superintendent of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools, said the announcement was one the division had been hoping to hear.
"We don't have the expertise to make health decisions, especially about masks, so getting that direction from the experts was really helpful," he said.
While knowing mask policies are being mandated and reusable masks supplied comes as a relief, he said it's not the only measure school boards have to consider as they prepare to open classroom doors.
"For us, in our plan, it's about doing the best we can in each of the areas," said Morrison. "Do the best physical disatncing we can, the best cohorting we can, teaching respiratory etiquette, hygeine and hand-washing and ensure kids do it the best we can, cleaning as best we can, and ensuring basically we monitor for symptoms and help parents do that the best we can."
