K-12 students in area return to classrooms

K-12 students return to classrooms in area

By Murray Green

Students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 across Alberta returned to their classrooms today, May 25.

The two-week shift to at-home learning has given the education system time to address the operational challenges caused by the rise of COVID-19 cases in the province.

K-12 students in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will be the only schools that will continue to learn at home for another week, with a targeted return to in-person learning on May 31.

“I’m pleased our twoweek plan has been successful in nearly all areas of the province. Everyone has worked hard to stop the spike and I am confident all students will finish the remainder of the school year in the classroom. I want to thank all students, parents, teachers and staff for their efforts and flexibility as we work to keep students learning,” said Adriana LaGrange, minister of education, on May 19.

The robust health protocols that have been in place in schools will continue including mask requirements, cohorts, screening for symptoms and seating arrangements. That’s in addition to the added layer of protection with more Albertans getting the COVID-19 vaccine, including school staff and students aged 12 and older.

The expansion of rapid screening testing at schools is also moving ahead as planned in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and Lethbridge, and in other communities where needed.

School divisions in Edmonton and Calgary have been offered the opportunity to have testing teams available at select school sites before the return to in-person learning occurs.

Rapid testing is another preventative layer against the spread of COVID-19 by quickly identifying people without symptoms who may have the virus. Education’s rapid testing team will work with school divisions on final school selection, logistics, consent process and scheduling.

To date, about 10,800 tests have been conducted in Edmonton and Calgary schools, resulting in 44 preliminary positive results. Anyone with a positive screening test is asked to confirm the result by taking a lab-confirmed test at an Alberta Health Services (AHS) assessment centre. A positive result on a rapid test will mean that the staff or student will need to be in isolation for 10 days from that date, unless the follow-up test through AHS is negative, in which case they can return to school.

Relief for businesses now available

By Murray Green

Application intake for the spring 2021 payment from Alberta’s small business grant is now open.

The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant program has been reopened for a new payment to businesses affected by the April 2021 public health orders. Eligible organizations can now apply for this additional COVID relief funding.

“We have to be there to help small businesses in Alberta get to the other side of this pandemic. With the expansion of the relaunch grant, we are helping small businesses make it through the third wave of COVID-19. We know the past year has not been easy and are grateful for what all small businesses in Alberta have done to help protect the lives of Albertans in their communities,” said Doug Schweitzer, minister of jobs, economy and innovation.

The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (SMERG) offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees, that have faced restrictions or closures due to COVID-related public health orders, and have experienced revenue losses of at least 30 per cent. Hotels, taxis and ride-sharing services are also now eligible for this payment.

Eligible organizations will receive a payment of up to $10,000, which follows the previous intake that provided up to $20,000. Funds can be used to cover costs of items that help prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies; pay rent, employee wages or replace inventory; or help businesses expand their online presence or e-commerce opportunities so that they can continue to serve customers.

Application intake for the program is open until May 31, with a budget of $350 million.

Alberta’s government is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting lives and livelihoods with precise measures to bend the curve, sustain small businesses and protect Alberta’s health care system.

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