(Lethbridge School Division)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge School Division requiring masks starting Thursday

Sep 7, 2021 | 4:33 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Both school divisions in Lethbridge are telling staff and students that they must wear face masks.

Late last week, the Alberta Government announced the return of a province-wide face mask mandate that took effect on Saturday, September 8 as a way of curbing the rising tide of COVID cases.

READ MORE: Mask mandate returning in Alberta Saturday, other new measures announced

Premier Jason Kenney said school boards could individually decide whether to require the use of face masks and that is exactly what the Lethbridge School Division is doing.

Effective Thursday, September 9, there will be “enhanced classroom and school protocols” through the division.

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Students in all grade levels will be asked to wear a mask in classrooms when they are out of their assigned seating plan and engaged in close-contact activities.

“At all other times, wearing a mask in the classroom will be encouraged and supported but not required.”

In middle school, students will continue to wear masks when they are in mixed cohort groups such as optional classes. For those in high schools, masks will be needed upon entering and exiting school, as well as in common gathering spaces inside the schools.

“This approach considers Alberta’s health protocols while also taking into account the mental wellbeing of our students,” said Board Chair Christine Light. “When developing these additional mitigation strategies, the Board made the decision to enhance our strategies inside our school buildings, including our high schools.”

At this time, there are no changes to the division’s protocols for extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. Restrictions on after-school activities will continue at the elementary level but will be allowed to continue for those in middle and high school grades.

More details on the Lethbridge School Division’s COVID-19 guidelines can be found here.

READ MORE: Holy Spirit schools requiring masks starting Wednesday

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