JUNE 10, 2020
News Advertiser PAGE 19
www.NewsAdvertiser.com
Volunteer Performs at Holden Lodge
Sandra Olson performs for Holden Lodge residents June 2. (Holden Lodge/Submitted)
Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Local volunteer Sandra Olson performed for residents at Holden Lodge
on June 2. The event coincided with Seniors Week that is held throughout the province annually.
Generations Play at the Pirate Park Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent Shauna Giebelhaus hasn’t seen her grandd aughter, Ryl ie Giebelhaus for about three months since the restrictions were placed for the COVID-19 pandemic. So on June 5, Shauna said she was glad to enjoy the day with her granddaughter at the Vegreville Lions Club Community Pirate Playground.
Shauna Giebelhaus pays attention to her granddaughter, Rylie Giebelhaus while Rylie plays at the Vegreville Lions Club Community Pirate Playground. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)
ASCA in Favour of 2020-21 School Re-entry in September Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent Alberta School Council Association (ASCA) represents parents of school council which engages with Alberta’s Education Ministry. Recently they had an ASCA member survey on the 2020-21 school re-entry planning. This survey was meant for parents to have their say of when they wish for their children to return to inclass learning. Parents’ input from the survey including people from the Separate, Public, Charter, and Francophone Schools, as well as, the north, south, and central areas of Alberta. There were parents from the Private and Colony schools as well. All 61 school divisions in the province were represented in the submissions including the four school divisions which the Vegreville News Advertiser covers; Battle River School Division, St. Paul Regional Division, Elk Island Catholic Schools, and Elk Island Public Schools. The school re-entry survey also included questions on modified schedules, assessments, health protocols, social distancing, and transportation, as well as, online learning resources and school communications. The results were when asked if parents in the Separate, Public, Charter and Francophone Schools were in favour of a return to school plan for K-12 students in September 86% said yes and 14% said no. When questioned if they were in favour of a modi-
fied school calendar which could mean longer/shorter school days/ hours, split class attendance morning/ afternoon, combination of in class and at home learning, 55% said yes and 45% said no. If they felt regular assessment should continue, 64% of the parents said yes and 36% said no. The majority of the parents were also in favour of students wearing personal protective equipment, as well as, ensuring they had hygiene requirements for students, social distancing, and sanitation standards in school. As well, parents wanted health protocols in place when students became ill. Then when asked if the parents were concerned about transportation issues the majority said they were. And 81% said there should be mental health supports for students and staff. It was interesting to discover that 55% of parents found the spring online learning difficult and most rated this experience as average. Wendy Keiver, Executive Director of ASCA, said the Board of ASCA will share/post the quantitative data because as a member organization representing the parents’ voice on school council, they felt without current policy regarding a pandemic; it was prudent to gather a sense of perspective on the topic. “In the absence of policy, data better informs our advocacy efforts
when working with government and education organizations in Alberta,” Keiver added. For survey result go to http://www.albertaschoolcouncil.ca/about/the-parent-voice/school-re-entry-survey-results.
