The CBE takes the health and safety of our students and staff seriously.
In all matters of health, CBE takes direction from Alberta Education and Alberta Health Services. In November 2022, the Chief and Senior Medical Officers of Health in Alberta provided school boards with a
Letter to Families from Dr. Mark Joffe, Chief Medical Officer of Health, to share with families. It highlights measures individuals can take to reduce the spread and lessen the impact of illness in school communities. These include:
- stay home when feeling sick;
- if possible, avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- cover your cough;
- avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; and
- clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items at home, especially when someone in your home is sick.
Using a well-fitting, high quality mask is encouraged, especially in crowded indoor settings. Wearing a mask can help reduce your risk of becoming sick and help protect others from being exposed. Individuals should be supported regardless of their choice to mask or not.
Alberta Health Services has launched an enhanced
respiratory assessment tool to provide Albertans with guidance to manage a wide range of respiratory illnesses, and provide advice on caring for symptoms at home, and when to seek
additional care.
As we have done throughout the pandemic, we continue to follow the guidance and direction provided by Alberta Education and Alberta Health Services. If new measures are announced, they will be communicated with families and staff before they are implemented in our schools.
Ventilation in Schools
In spring 2022, the CBE upgraded to MERV 13 filters in schools wherever possible. These filters continue to be utilized this school year and are changed more frequently. In addition, all CBE schools are mechanically ventilated and systems are set to operate in occupied mode for several hours before and after the school day. Ventilation systems are also set to maximize fresh air exchange.
Over the past two school years, Alberta Labour, Occupational Health & Safety and Alberta Health Services have inspected CBE schools and determined that the health measures in place are fully compliant with existing government recommendations.
Portable air cleaning devices are generally recommended when no mechanical ventilation exists, which means when windows are the only ventilation. As our schools are mechanically ventilated, we have not installed these portable devices.
Monitoring Absences
We will continue to internally monitor student and staff absences this school year. Daily school-by-school absence numbers are being posted to this page.
