Starting today, students in Grades 7 to 12 are learning at-home until in-person classes resume on Jan. 11, 2021.
I continue to be impressed by the resiliency shown by our students and staff as we navigate unforeseen changes. And once again, I thank our families and staff for their ongoing collaboration and support.
Transitioning from Hub online learning to in-person classes
In August, we asked all CBE families to decide how their child would participate in learning throughout the 2020-21 school year – either in-person or through Hub online learning.
As we have already communicated, students in Hub may return to in-person learning at their schools starting on Feb. 1, 2021, or they may remain in Hub for the remainder of the school year. Families participating in Hub will need to inform their schools of their decision to return to in-person learning by noon on Friday, Jan. 8. More details about this process will be provided to Hub families soon.
Given the evolving situation with COVID-19, we did consider whether to permit movement from in-person classes into Hub online learning for the second semester. However, in order to ensure continuity of learning and minimize disruption to in-person classes resulting from the movement of staff from in-person classes to Hub, we are not able to accommodate new requests for Hub online learning in the new year.
Movement on Feb. 1 will be only one way, from Hub online learning back to in-person classes.
Winter Break – Dec 19. to Jan. 3
The CBE’s winter break will begin at the end of the day on Friday, Dec. 18 until Monday, Jan. 4 when classes resume. Please check your school calendar to confirm.
In January, students in kindergarten to Grade 6 will join the rest of the system in at-home learning for one week. We anticipate a return to in-person classes at all of our schools on Monday, Jan. 11.
More information will be provided to elementary school families about how their children will be supported with learning online from your school before the break.
Before and after school care programs in our schools will continue to operate until the winter break and will re-open on Monday, January 11.
Transportation Update
Yellow school buses will continue to operate for kindergarten to Grade 6 students until the winter break. Yellow school bus transportation for students in specialized programs will also continue. Routes will return starting Monday, Jan. 11.
Credits for yellow school bus transportation fees will be provided for riders in Grades 7-9 for the missed days between Nov. 30 until Jan. 8, and for riders in kindergarten to Grade 6 for the week of Jan. 4-8.
Calgary Transit will retain dedicated bus routes for Grade 6 students but will discontinue express routes for schools with only Grade 7 to 12. Students in specialized programs who use Calgary Transit school express routes will need to use regular routes. Calgary Transit has also indicated they will waive the administration fee for the return of December adult and youth monthly passes. See their website for more information.
Report Cards
This year the CBE will have consistent system-wide dates to issue report cards. All schools will release their report cards online the week of February 1-5, 2021. They will be available for viewing using your MyCBE / PowerSchool Account. Your school will provide more details as we get closer to the date.
Diploma Exams and Provincial Achievement Tests
As part of their Nov. 24, 2020 announcement, Alberta Education determined that diploma exams are optional for the rest of the school year. Students and their families can choose whether to write an exam or receive an exemption for the January, April, June and August 2021 exams. More information will be provided to impacted families.
Learn more about writing diploma exams on the Alberta Education website.
The CBE announced in October that due to the continued disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we would not be administering Grade 6 and 9 Provincial Achievement Tests in the 2020-21 school year.
Teachers will remain focused on delivering the Programs of Study for all courses, and will continue to assess student achievement based on the grade level outcomes as determined by the Province of Alberta.
Thank you for your understanding. We continue to work every day to provide quality education for all students while keeping everyone safe and healthy. If you have any questions, please talk to your school principal.
Sincerely,
Christopher Usih
Chief Superintendent of Schools
