Tonight's announcement comes as a surprise to
#EPSB
. School divisions were not consulted on this shift. If we were,
#EPSB
would have shared the desire to move slowly, to listen to parents, to listen to boards.
The best choice in education is offered in PUBLIC education. Charters do not accept or have to accept all students. Expansion of charters = erosion of public education.
#publiceducationmatters
#yeg
#EPSB
Good news.
#EPSB
request to use surplus dollars to purchase HEPA filters has been approved by gov't. This is an important layer to keep kids & staff safe, & even more important after last week's announcement. Thank you
@AdrianaLaGrange
and tx to
#yeg
parents who pushed for this.
Thanks to everyone who shared concerns on the draft K-6 curriculum with
#EPSB
. Concerns included: content, age appropriateness & how it doesn’t align with the board’s draft anti-racism & equity policy.
#EPSB
won’t be piloting it.
#abed
#yeg
As we consider the continuing impact of COVID-19 on how we organize for instruction,
#EPSB
schools don't plan to participate in voluntary curriculum testing starting in Sept. We'll review the curriculum and provide feedback. Statement from Superintendent:
Tx to parents, students & staff who spoke loudly & clearly about wanting protocols to continue. Board voted to advocate for testing, contract tracing, self-isolation, mandatory masking, cohorts and screening. You also helped shape
#EPSB
plan to make masks mandatory. Thank you.
.
#EPSB
Letter: "We need the government to act now. We implore you to show responsible leadership by immediately reinstating contact tracing, close contact notification and mandatory quarantining for close contacts in schools."
#abed
#yeg
#EPSB
parents chose in-person learning based on the protocols we had in place. TO BE CLEAR: school divisions have no authority to require mandatory masking. I know this will deeply upset many.
With low vaccination rates in kids age 5-11 this definitely feels like we are taking away a key layer in the approach to keep students & staff as safe as possible.
#EPSB
#yeg
Tonight's decision to remove masking in schools starting Feb. 14 for all students is too much, too fast. I know there are lots of questions, please know more details on what all this means will be shared in coming days.
#EPSB
#yeg
This morning, the
#EPSB
shared this letter with families and the Education Minister. We feel like we are heading into unchartered territory with this highly transmissible variant, limited data and expected staff shortages.
#yeg
CBC News calculated the board (
#EPSB
) will receive $691 less per student than it did two years ago. Less funding, growing enrolment and the added pressure of paying for COVID with our reserves.
#abed
#yeg
Just in case anyone was wondering,
#EPSB
doesn't take (or need) advice from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms. Our commitment to students that they can join a GSA/QSA and decide what they share with parents remains strong and will NOT be changing.
#ableg
#abed
Today, EPSB Superintendent announced mandatory vaccines for all
#EPSB
staff. I am in strong support of this initiative - it's the protection our students, families and staff need.
#abed
#yeg
Today, we announced that
#EPSB
employees, contractors, on-site partners and volunteers are to be fully vaccinated or participate in rapid testing starting mid-October. More information for staff and families: .
To be clear, school divisions were not given a heads up about this announcement from the provincial gov't. Not one inkling. This is a massive change, and
#EPSB
can do it, we will be ready to welcome gr.7-12 online...but a heads up would have been nice.
#ableg
#abed
Lots of info in today's school announcement. Working with
#EPSB
Administration to figure it all out. Info. will be shared with families shortly. My concern remains though - schools needed these measures weeks ago.
#abed
#yeg
The emails continue to roll in advocating for a continuation of COVID protocols in
#EPSB
schools. I hear you and I agree. School divisions are in a position where we have to wait to see what gov't re-entry plan is before we can announce our own. The waiting is tough.
#abed
#yeg
Parents: check it out. Transparency & data remain an important part of battling this pandemic. In the absence of data from province,
#EPSB
doing the best it can to keep school communities informed about self-reported cases & absenteeism.
#yeg
#abed
To help keep families informed about what’s happening in our schools, we’ve launched a new online tool to show the percentage of students who are absent from school due to general illness or self-reported cases of COVID-19. Learn more:
#EPSB
#yeg
Today just got a whole lot better. With a few clicks I was able to book a
#CovidVaccine
for my 9 yr. old. Yes!!!! Science is amazing.
#GetVaccinated
#yeg
#EPSB
has been clear in our ask for additional $ for school re-entry from province. We’ve shared this with the Minister & with families that we represent
#abed
#yeg
There's a lot of hurt today. The rights of trans children have been attacked. To be clear, EPSB has a strong Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity policy, including allowing students to use chosen pronouns without notification or parental consent.
If you know what this is you may be eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine (I am & oh yes I’m ready to rock out post vaccine later today!)
#COVID19AB
#COVID19
#yeg
Initial reaction from today's re-entry announcement: School divisions have the authority to put in place our own protocols. I have no doubt
#EPSB
will show leadership. Special board meeting at 2 pm today.
#yeg
Money for a charter high school in
#yeg
(though no details where?) while
#EPSB
capital projects passed over for a second year in a row - something wrong with that equation.
#publiceducationmatters
With schools resuming next week,
#EPSB
watching cases closely. Greater access to rapid test kits at schools & the need for clear data on all positive cases is so important for our staff and students and those making decisions about whether schools need to shift to online.
#yeg
"Students under 12 yrs of age (almost all of our
57,000 elem. students) do not have access to vaccinations as a means of protection from the virus.
Therefore, having other measures in place is critical." - quote from
#EPSB
letter to Min.LaGrange & Shandro
.
#EPSB
sent this letter to Premier Smith sharing our concerns with proposed transgender policies. "We have solid policies & practices, & years of experience, from which we could add a helpful perspective to discussions concerning gender diversity and education."
#abed
215 children, 215 lives and families. In memory of these children & all those who have been, and continue to be impacted by residential schools
#EPSB
flags be lowered to half-mast until after National Indigenous Peoples Day. Truth imperative to reconciliation
#yeg
We don't need more choice, and more ways to divide limited resources. What we need is adequate funding and greater support for the system that is proven, accessible and accountable: public education.
#publiceducationmatters
#abed
#EPSB
I really appreciate Dr. Deena Hinshaw's calmness during this time and her perspective as a mother. Her advice to parents? Talk to your kids about
#coronavirus
"Let them know worrying is healthy and normal. Be honest and accurate."
#yeg
#epsb
Update on COVID-19 in Alberta. Alberta is adopting aggressive new public health measures to help limit the spread of the novel
#coronavirus
, officially known as COVID-19:
#abhealth
#COVID19
What was missing from yesterday's announcement? No mention of contact tracing, mandatory isolation of close contacts in schools and a commitment by gov't to share positive cases with school divisions.
#EPSB
#abed
@ABSchoolBoards
Earlier today,
#EPSB
passed its 2022-23 budget. We always knew the new funding formula wouldn't work for a large, growing division - that's now playing out in reality. Larger classes, staff cuts, doing more with less.
#yeg
#publiceducationmatters
The curriculum was the
#1
topic I heard about during the municipal election. Parents organized, communities came together and elevated each other. They wrote hundreds of letters to their Trustees (and many others!) A new board, and the letters kept coming...
#epsb
#abed
#yeg
Lots of questions about how yesterday's announcement affects
#EPSB
. Short answer: it doesn't - the measures announced are what we were already doing.
#yeg
.
#EPSB
has been clear with parents, the Minister and
@ABSchoolBoards
that the school re-entry plan requires additional prov. gov't funding. Clarity and accurate information is so important right now. EPSB Letter to parents here:
#abed
#yeg
These partners remain confident, as do I, that the school re-entry plan ,as written, already provides local school authorities with the autonomy and flexibility to ensure local needs are met and to prepare schools for a safe re-entry. (4/8)
I hope today's news (break extended, cancelling diploma exams) brings relief to
#EPSB
parents, students & staff. It's the right decision, but as with previous announcements like this - it's a reminder this pandemic is tough on families and kids. Kids have sacrificed so much.
Trustees with
#EPSB
, along with Trustees from all Metro Boards have come together to advocate for all school-based staff be placed in high priority to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
#abed
#ableg
#yeg
#yyc
@ABSchoolBoards
Back to classes on Monday. Important for many kids to be in-person learning. Also important: school
#COVID19
cases reflect what's happening in broader community. As a parent & a Trustee I don't want to ride the"covid coaster"-schools open, then closed
#EPSB
#yeg
1/4
#EPSB
passed two advocacy motions tonight:
1. Allow boards, working with health authorities, the autonomy to put measures and resources in place based on our local context.
2. Show us the data for the decisions and pls monitor impact of lifting restrictions on schools
#yeg
Thank you Ward D for re-electing me as your
#EPSB
Trustee! I look forward to serving you & speaking up for families for another four years. A huge thanks to my volunteers, my dear friends and family for their support
#EPSB
#yegvote
#publiceducationmatters
It's been great to connect with voters & families in
#EPSB
Ward D over the course of this campaign. Your priorities, stories and advice are the reasons why I want to keep doing this job. On October 18,
#voteTrishEPSB
#yeg
#yegvote
Trustees voted in favour of a more inclusive calendar today. Thank you to everyone who shared the need for this, the importance of this for students and advocated for it.
@IFSSAserves
#EPSB
#yeg
As of today,
#EPSB
has a total of about 760 cases of COVID-19. That's jumped by about 300 cases since November 10 (some of those numbers are backlogged cases - those not yet confirmed by AHS.)
#yeg
1/3
Two years later, and I still get questions about EPSB decision to purchase HEPA filters for all classrooms. The questions are good! Ppl. care about air quality! Board spends $750,000 annually to keep these filters running & maintained.
#EPSB
#airquality
#yeg
Our staff have been doing the work of contact tracers for months. This is a symptom of a health care system under pressure. Staff have stepped in b/c they have to, but mostly because they care deeply about keeping students & staff safe. Thank you.
#EPSB
#yeg
3/3
As I take my kids to activities on a snowy
#yeg
afternoon I am struck by the loss of two
#EPSB
students in the
#flight752
crash. Deepest condolences from
#epsb
to families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.
If we want kids learning in person then we must do all we can to keep them and staff safe. We need clear metrics on when shifting to online, good data to make good decisions, improved ventilation. We want to see staff eligible for PCR testing.
#epsb
#yeg
Stories from families about cuts to PUF (supports for pre-K, kindergarten students w disabilities/learning delays) are gut-wrenching for Board of Trustees. Data shows the difference PUF makes.
#epsb
#abed
*Of 453 children, 117 no longer required special education code
More curriculum news today.
#EPSB
looks forward to unpacking the new curriculum and seeing if the significant changes we asked for, along with many others, have been made. Big changes were asked for - did they happen?
#abed
@SarJD123
I really love that our schools are polling stations. Students witnessing democracy in action and also reinforcing idea that schools are at the hearts of our communities. Lots of measures in place to ensure public just accessing where voting is happening.
I’m proud to share Trustees voted in favour of exploring ways to provide free menstrual products in
#EPSB
schools. Equal access will help reduce barriers & stigma. Important step in supporting student health and well-being. Thanks to students who spoke up &
@ScarletBjornson
#yeg
On ventilation -
#EPSB
looking into options after no response from province.
@JulieKusiek
@HoleMarcia
and I put forward a request for information to our Admin. about ventilation. Big thanks to parents who continue to advocate for better ventilation.
#yeg
To be clear,
#EPSB
cannot shift all schools to online learning. The province needs to make that call. What we can do is push for better ventilation, enhanced PPE, access to testing, clear data to make the best decisions.
#yeg
Keeping our schools open requires all of us to do our part. That being said, we know we will be riding the COVID coaster this month. There's no avoiding it. I feel for our families, students & staff as we once again navigate this together.
#epsb
#yeg
#EPSB
is disappointed the gov't chose not to fund any projects on our capital plan 2 yrs in a row. Our plan includes modernizations (Delton, for ex) and new schools for growing areas. No new schools means longer bus rides, crowded classrooms.
#yeg
I am so honoured to be able to serve alongside 8 amazing Trustees who care deeply about kids and
#publiceducation
. This board is off to a great start & I can’t wait to share our official
#epsb
photo & get to work serving
#yeg
families.
Please know
#EPSB
is doing all we can to share the voice of parents asking for masking, cohorting, screening with the gov't. Our schools must be as safe as possible when kids return in Sept.
#abed
#yeg
To all the teachers out there: thank you. Thanks for inspiring students to be the best they can be. This year, in particular, thank you for caring so deeply about students.
#thankateacherEPSB
#WorldTeacherDay
#EPSB
The voice of school boards remains important as we represent the voices of parents, families & kids. I've been in mtgs where I have advocated on behalf of families for a clear plan, clear metrics and have shared data about how
#EPSB
expects omicron to impact our division.
#yeg
.
#EPSB
staff worked so hard on a plan that will mitigate the risk of COVID spread in our schools as much as possible. But it's only the best case in a difficult scenario for a large, growing school division.
#abed
1/5
And one more blast of a bit of good news (b/c we need it right now!)
#EPSB
Trustees voted unanimously to approve a STEM program for students in our Division. Choice in public education so important.
#yeg
Information, transparency and provincial measures (contact tracing, quarantining close contacts in schools) are needed now. Action was needed on this weeks ago.
#abled
#abed
#EPSB
Masks work. Cohorts work. I have confidence
#EPSB
Administration will build a back to school plan that works and mitigates spread of COVID as much as possible.
#yeg
Thanks to all the teachers, educational assistants & many, many
#EPSB
staff who are working hard so our kids can learn in a new way. Thinking of you all.
#abed
#appreciation
Naming a school after Elder Dr. Francis Whiskeyjack was a great way to start the first
#EPSB
meeting of the year. It was an honour to celebrate with him, his family and thank him for all he's done for students, for the community, for the Nêhiyawêwin language.
#abed
#yeg
Today, Trustees announced that the new
#EPSB
Grades 10–12 high school in the Meadows area will be named after Francis Whiskeyjack! Learn more about Elder Dr. Francis Whiskeyjack School:
A frozen education budget has been tough on
#EPSB
as we welcome thousands of new students each year. We needed funding for enrolment growth yrs ago.
#abed
#yeg
After what feels like I really long week, helping my kids with school work, who else wants to really hug a teacher or an educational assistant right about now?
#epsb
#yeg
Thanks to my colleagues for putting their trust in me to continue serving as Board Chair of
#EPSB
. It continues to be an honour to serve kids and families in this role. Congratulations to
@JulieKusiek
the new vice-chair of EPSB!
#yeg
#abed
I've waited three decades to see a 29 hand in
#cribbage
. And today it happened... not for me, but for my 9 yr. old son! It's a one in 216,000 chance!
#luckyday
#summerbreak
#EPSB
of Trustees approved accessing surplus $ for portable HEPA filtration systems for every classroom.
Big thanks to
#yeg
parents, community who have been advocating. We hear you & we agree.
Families, please read
#EPSB
re-entry plan. It's based on what we know about COVID-19 right now and puts staff, student safety at the forefront. "We intend to revisit these measures throughout the year, in response to changing public health information, such as vaccination rates."
We’re releasing more information about what school will look like this fall to support
#EPSB
families choosing between in-person and online learning. Read the 2021–22 Back to School Plan now: .
#yeg
Tough day for
#EPSB
. Thinking of all staff and their families who are affected by today's announcement. Trustees will work hard to ensure these layoffs are temporary as promised by Minister LaGrange. These staff are valuable members of our school communities.
#abed
#yeg
Today is first-day-of-school eve for many. Today, though, I think of the thousands of
#EPSB
staff who have been hard at work preparing, dreaming, and eagerly anticipating. Today, I thank you for serving kids and families. Wishing you a good sleep tonight!
#yeg
Congratulations to
@JulieKusiek
, who is the new board chair for
#EPSB
. I know you’ll represent our board, staff, students and families well in this new role.
#yeg
It's an incredible honour to be chosen by colleagues to serve as board chair. I'm humbled and look forward to carrying on the role of telling the story of Edmonton Public Schools, advocating for students, and working alongside division staff, families, and government to make it…
This is a missed opportunity & a move that would go a long way in keeping students & staff safe. Parents want & deserve to know when there is a positive case in their child's school.
#EPSB
#yeg
@ABSchoolBoards
#abed
Our Board has voted in favour of advocating to the provincial government to temporarily suspend PATs and diploma exams. This is a year unlike any other and we recognize those impacts for our students, staff and
family.
#EPSB
2/4
Thanks to many who have shared their concerns about the hate-filled attack at Rosslyn school. Thank you to the family who took time to meet with
@EPSB_Super
,
@doniveson
and myself. Together, we must move forward to a place where intolerance & hate do not happen.
#yeg
#epsb
As we continue to address the vicious, hate-filled attack near Rosslyn School, we’re able to share some steps
#EPSB
has taken. Read today’s statement from Superintendent Darrel Robertson.
#yeg
Ventilation remains a key piece,
#EPSB
will continue to pursue possibility of improving ventilation in partnership with
#EPSB
Administration and with advocacy to gov't.
#yeg
I share this number because I believe in being transparent about the reality in
#EPSB
schools. But also because behind each number is a child, a family and thousands of students and staff impacted by a positive case.
#yeg
2/3
Any cuts to education will affect our classrooms & our students. I strongly encourage the Minister of Education to consider those impacts as the government builds its budget.
#ableg
#abed
#publiceducationmatters
#EPSB
I am delighted that
@TrishEstabrooks
has put her name forward to represent Edmonton Centre in the House of Commons.
She is an absolute champion for Edmontonians and I am so excited to work with her.
It is an honour to endorse her as the NDP candidate today!
#trisha4edmcentre
Today,
#epsb
Trustees voted to continue to collect class size data despite the province dropping this reporting requirement. Class size information is a critical tracking tool as we navigate challenging cuts to public education.
#abed
#yeg
A year ago today, a Sunday, I watched as
@EPSB_Super
and
#EPSB
staff showed what they're truly made of - care and compassion for students & families. The pivot started that night & it hasn't stopped. Thank you.
#COVID19AB
#yeg
The sooner, parents know what school looks like after the break, the better. Encouraged to hear greater clarity will be coming later this week.
#yeg
#epsb
Just received the good news that French immersion kindergarten at Oliver School is a go! Merci beaucoup to all those who worked hard to make this happen.
#yeg
#yegdt
#epsb