December 31, 2021
To all Fort McMurray Catholic School families,
Late yesterday the Government of Alberta provided an update regarding the return to school next week in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This announcement has extended the Christmas/Winter break for students until January 10, 2022.
Education Minister Adriana LaGrange has stated more information may be forthcoming in the next week, but here is what we can share with you now:
- No students will be in school during this week (January 4-7, 2022). This includes all specialized programming
- January Diploma Exams are cancelled
- Our Virtual Learning Academy will continue to operate as per normal
- All extracurricular activities are cancelled for this coming week and will be reviewed moving forward
- Out of School Care programs may be offered next week on a full day basis depending on demand. Programs may be combined depending on enrollment. Families currently enrolled in Out of School Care will be contacted individually on or before Monday.
As you may have heard in the announcement Thursday, the Government of Alberta will be sending rapid test kits and additional masks to all schools. We will distribute these to families and staff as soon as they arrive. We expect these may arrive the week of January 10-14, 2022.
Thank you to our families for sharing test results with us as quickly as possible. Please continue to do so. You being proactive assists us in notifying potential close contacts in a timely manner. This helps slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
We continue to encourage our community to do all it can to stop the spread of COVID-19. Please stay home if you are sick, please isolate when you are required to, please physically distance, and please wear a mask.
Please continue to refer to official sources when looking for information:
- Alberta Government News Release re: Extended School Winter Break
- AHS Daily Checklist
- AHS Symptom list
If you or a member of your family has any of the symptoms of illness listed, please fill out the online Alberta Health Services COVID-19 self-assessment or call Health Link at 811.
Thank you for your grace, compassion, and patience as we continue our way forward through this school year.
Sincerely,
George McGuigan
Fort McMurray Catholic Schools Superintendent
