Effective immediately, classes in K-12 schools across the province are cancelled indefinitely

Dear students, parents, guardians, staff members, and volunteers:

Effective immediately, classes in K-12 schools across the province are cancelled indefinitely. While our school will continue our day-to-day operation and ensure the safety of our school facilities, students will not be physically in classes starting tomorrow morning until further notice.

The safety of our students, their families, staff members and volunteers is of the highest importance. We are currently developing a plan to offer students support in their ability to make progress toward high school graduation while following the recommendations laid out by Alberta Health Services and the Government of Alberta.

A closure of this kind has never happened before. The staff of our school is responding to this crisis with professionalism and out of an abundance of care for our students and their families. While we are working hard to ensure there are ways for students to continue to progress, we are responding to emerging circumstances and we have not answered every question at this time. Here is what our students, parents, guardians, staff members and volunteers need to know at the moment:

• School authorities are expected to continue their regular day-to-day operations and ensure the safety of our school facilities. This includes maintenance, cleaning and administrative work will continue.
• School staff members are expected to continue to work, either from the school or from a distance as required by their school authorities.
• Every student will receive a final mark and students will be able to move to their next grades or classes in the fall (as per the Minister of Education).
• Students can expect to write diploma examinations required for high school graduation.

At present, our school is investigating ways to keep students connected to their school and to be able to continue their educations. We are considering all options including online learning and support solutions. In the coming days, we will update students and their families with information about how that work might continue even as face-to-face classes are cancelled.

If you would like more information about COVID-19, please visit the Alberta Health Services website. If you have concerns about your own health, please contact Health Link by calling 8-1-1.

We will keep you informed about the school’s response to COVID-19 as it unfolds via the website (www.bsec.ab.ca) and our Facebook messenger account. Thank you for your help and support in keeping BSEC strong and safe for all.

Sincerely,

Scott Meunier, Principal (on the advice of our Superintendent, Mavis Averill).