Calgary Catholic schools to restrict large school gatherings if absent rates climb – Calgary

With less than three weeks until Christmas, the Calgary Catholic School District has a new plan to help keep schools safe for children until then.

CCSD’s latest measures, called the ‘Make it to Christmas’ plan, target large gatherings in the school that could lead to increased transmission of airborne viruses such as COVID-19, RSV or the flu.

“If we keep doing what we’ve always done, we’re always going to get what we’ve always got. And something like this has to change if we’re going to help our young children and the health care system,” said CCSD Chief Superintendent Bryan Szumlas.

“We have a social responsibility through our faith to create Catholic communities of care and to protect the most vulnerable – our children,” said a letter sent to parents on Monday.

Szumlas said CCSD officials looked at all the county guidance to come up with the latest strategy.

If a school has more than 10 percent of its students away due to illness or if AHS declares an outbreak in a school, large group gatherings such as Christmas concerts will be postponed, recorded or moved to a virtual presentation.

Schools in the seven to nine percent absence rate will have principals re-evaluate large gatherings.

“In cases like this, the principal will determine what is best for their school community,” the school district said.

1:59
Health experts are concerned about the implications of Alberta’s ban on school mask mandates

CCSD included a link to an online dashboard showing which schools had a student absence rate of more than 10 percent in the past three weeks.

The school district also continues to recommend the use of masks, including at Christmas concerts and athletic events, for schools below the 10 percent threshold.

“We as Catholics look forward to the joy of the Advent season and to experience the singing and joy with our students,” said the CCSD Chief Superintendent. “If our families show up for an Advent concert at one of our schools, we will have masks and we will encourage our families to wear a mask.”

This recommendation follows the Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health’s letter of November 23, which states that a “well-fitting, high-quality mask is encouraged, especially in crowded indoor environments.

“Wearing a mask can help reduce your risk of getting sick and help protect others from exposure. Individuals must be supported regardless of their choice to mask or not,” said Dr. Written by Chris Joffe.

CCSD reiterated its compliance with the Ministry of Health’s recommendations that students and staff stay home when sick.

And it said it follows ASHRAE’s core recommendations for reducing airborne infectious aerosol exposure, including the use of MERV-13 or better air filters and airflow rates for ventilation “as specified by applicable codes and standards.”

1:54
Alberta schools are not allowed to close schooling, cannot mandate masks despite illness

Calgary Board of Education said it has the same air filtration in place and shared the same letter from the CMOH with parents. But no additional measures were announced by the public school board on Nov. 25.

CBE lists the absentee rate for each school on its website.

CBE told Global News that school principals may make changes to assemblies, meetings or extracurricular activities based on that school’s context.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Education Secretary Adriana LaGrange acknowledged that school boards have the authority for operational decisions about extracurricular activities.

“However, we hope that limiting large in-person extracurricular events remains a last resort for all school authorities,” Emily Peckham told Global News in an email.

© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.