Health & Wellness in School
General Health Measures
The CBE takes the health and safety of students and staff seriously.
In all matters of health, CBE takes direction from Alberta Education & Childcare and Alberta Health Services. The following health measures can reduce the spread and lessen the impact of illness in school communities:
- 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.
Alberta Health Services has a 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.
Measles
Measles is a highly contagious illness that can lead to serious complications, particularly for young children, pregnant women and vulnerable individuals. The Chief Medical Officer of Health is reminding everyone that the best protection against measles is ensuring you and your children have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine after the age of 12 months.
Measles resources from the Alberta government include:
Ventilation in Schools
The CBE uses MERV 13 filters in schools wherever possible. These filters are changed more frequently than recommended to support air quality. In addition, all CBE schools are mechanically ventilated and systems are set to maximize air exchange
We closely monitor this matter to ensure the CBE continues to remain fully compliant with all provincial direction and legislated requirements.
Monitoring Absences
The CBE monitors student and staff absences during the school year.
Illness Outbreaks
An outbreak may be suspected when there is an increase in absenteeism or a number of individuals are experiencing similar symptoms in a school. This could be due to any number of symptoms including respiratory, gastrointestinal and rashes.
If a school has more than 10 per cent of their student population away due to illness, the school will report to Alberta Health Services Public Health for investigation. If AHS declares an outbreak, they will provide information to families and recommendations to assist the school in preventing further spread of illness. After AHS has declared an outbreak in a school and CBE has been notified, an intensive cleaning of the impacted school is conducted after school hours.
Illness Absence Reporting
We are no longer publishing daily updates of student absence rates. If you have questions about this change, contact CBECommunications@cbe.ab.ca.
