PSD COVID-19 Guidance For Schools

August 18, 2021 - Parkland School Division (PSD) has updated our COVID-19 Protocols prior to welcoming students back to school on August 30th. We recognize there are varying levels of concern when it comes to the Division’s approach to addressing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  The PSD COVID-19 protocols have been developed in compliance with the direction from the Chief Medical Officer of Health and Alberta Education.

Most importantly, PSD is committed to providing safe and caring environments for our staff and students to learn. Learning to exist with COVID-19 is our next challenge as a school community. 

Many measures will look the same as last year.

Read PSD’s Guidance for School Re-Entry Principal's Handbook. 

Highlights include:

General Building Safety - continued enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, promotion of healthy hygiene practices, and increased circulation of outdoor air as much as possible.

Responding to Illness - Staff or students with COVID-19 symptoms (new or worsening and not related to other known causes), will be required to isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms, or until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result, as per provincial guidelines. Students or staff who develop symptoms while at school will be sent home and be required to isolate, as per AHS guidelines.  

Masks - Masks are strongly recommended for all students and staff in all common areas and in situations where 2 metres of distance cannot be maintained. As per the Alberta Health Services (AHS) directive, masks will be required for all students (regardless of age or grade) while on a school bus. 

Cohorts - Where practical, PSD schools will have students work in a limited number of cohorts.

Close Contacts - As per AHS guidelines, close contacts of a positive case will not be required to isolate for 14-days as per provincial guidelines on self-isolation.

Vaccinations -  Immunizations will be available through temporary clinics in schools selected by AHS, for students in Grades 7 - 12 as well as school staff. Students under 18 will not be vaccinated in schools without parent or guardian consent. Further information will be shared when it becomes available from AHS.

For more information, including links to Alberta Government’s plans and guidance, visit our COVID-19 page on the PSD website.

For more information, contact:

Parkland School Division
Email: DivisionOffice@psd.ca