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RVS recants voluntary masking in schools this fall

Students returning to school this fall will be required to mask-up after all, according to a letter Rocky View Schools (RVS) officials sent to parents and stakeholders on Sept. 6.

Airdrie public school students returning to class this fall will be required to mask-up after all, according to a letter Rocky View Schools (RVS) officials sent to parents and stakeholders on Sept. 6.

In the letter, the RVS Board of Trustees announced they had revised the public school division’s return-to-school operational plan to align with the re-introduction of government health measures across the province, "strengthening masking requirements” in schools this fall.

The reversal follows the provincial government’s Sept. 3 announcement that masks would now be mandated indoors as a response to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Alberta. The RVS board’s original motion, which was decided at a special board meeting on Aug. 6, declared masks would be worn on a voluntary basis this school year.

According to Fiona Gilbert, board chair and Ward 6 trustee, she and fellow trustees received mixed reactions and criticism from community members following their original decision.

“We absolutely respect that there are many different perspectives on how best to support the health and wellness of our children in back to school,” she said. “All of the concerns and perspectives are absolutely valid.”

Gilbert said RVS opted to align its initial return-to-school plan with the Alberta government’s recommendations, which at the time included voluntary face-masking and enhanced cleaning protocols.

At the time, Gilbert said the board agreed it would refer back to health experts in the coming months to determine a new path forward if one was needed.

“We believe [the return-to-school plan] finds a balance between minimizing the risks of illness while supporting the social, emotional, and learning needs of our students as best as we can,” she added.

According to the Sept. 6 letter, both the Board of Trustees and senior administration teams met to discuss the recent government measures, and after deliberation, opted to revise the division’s Return to School Operational Plan.

“We recognize that there will be a variety of opinions on these new measures,” the letter stated. “RVS continues to find a balanced and thoughtful approach as we support the social, emotional, physical, and learning needs of our students while addressing provincial efforts to protect our health-care system and reduce transmission of COVID-19.”

Effective immediately, mandates include masking for all students, staff, and visitors. However, masks will not be required when instructing a classroom, nor are they required to be worn outdoors, when consuming food or drink, or participating in physical exercise, music, band, or arts performances. As per provincial requirements, masks will continue to be required on school buses.

The letter also acknowledged a small number of individuals are unable to wear masks due to sensory or health-related issues. For these students, RVS states mask exemptions will be allowed upon submission of an exemption request form.

RVS’ return-to-school plan also includes COVID-19 protocols that were implemented in 2020-21, including a daily health checklist prior to coming to school, telling students and staff to stay home when sick, promoting regular hand-washing and respiratory etiquette, enhanced ventilation measures, and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting in schools.

“RVS will continue to monitor the evolving situation and the new masking measures will be reviewed when there are changes in the provincial directions related to masking,” the letter continued.

Public school students returned to class for the first day of the fall term on Sept. 7.

Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy  

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