PPE supplies received by the Lethbridge School Division. (Supplied by Lethbridge School Division)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge School Division: Government PPE “supplemental” to supplies already ordered

Aug 31, 2020 | 10:26 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Officials in the Lethbridge School Division will spend the final day before the start of classes unpacking and distributing their shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Government of Alberta.

Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said on Friday that Alberta is the only province to provide school authorities with PPE for students, teachers, and school staff, and that this will allow for a safe return to class during the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ MORE: Alberta schools receive PPE shipments ahead of next week’s start

The Lethbridge School Division received their allotment on Friday, which includes:

• Two reusable face masks for each student, staff, and teacher
• Two contactless thermometers
• One face shield for each teacher and staff member
• 507 jugs of hand sanitizer, 3.8-litres each

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The school board, however, assures parents that they were already stocked up before the arrival of these packages.

“That hand sanitizer is not being distributed at this time, as the Division has already distributed significant amounts of hand sanitizer to schools. Hand sanitizer from the Government of Alberta will be held for emergent replacement,” reads a statement from the Lethbridge School Division.

“The shipment of PPE from the Government of Alberta is supplemental to the purchase of supplies by the Division, which included hand sanitizer, disposable masks, face shields, gloves and thermometers.”

The first day of class is Tuesday, September 1, but the start dates for elementary and middle schools will be staggered between the first and the second.