LAKELAND - More than 12 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and the local Francophone school division only recently confirmed its first active case of the virus in one of its schools.
Conseil scolaire Centre-Est (CSCE) serves students across the Lakeland, with schools in St. Paul, Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche, and Plamondon. On March 24, the school division confirmed a case of COVID-19 at École du Sommet, located in St. Paul.
"The positive case at École du Sommet is the first positive COVID-19 case in all of our schools (K-12) in the region," said superintendent Dolorese Nolette. "We truly are appreciative of everyone's efforts in this regard, parents and staff."
The case was also confirmed in the most recent board highlights from the school division's March 30 meeting.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has been part of our daily lives for over a year now," reads the highlights. Despite the ways in which the schools have been operating to keep staff and students safe, the first case of COVID-19 within the school division was made official just a few weeks ago.
"On March 24, the first positive case of COVID-19 was declared at École du Sommet. AHS immediately informed the superintendent, which allowed for rapid intervention with the individuals involved," according to the school division.
Daycare in Cold Lake and Plamondon
Parents in Cold Lake and Plamondon are being heard, as the Francophone school division takes steps to potentially establish daycares in the respective communities.
The CSCE board received a consultant's report for both communities with options for providing day care services.
"These reports stem from studies led by a provincial Francophone community organization (CDEA) who received funding to study the potential for the creation of daycare spaces for the Francophone community," according to Nolette. She confirmed that parents in Cold Lake and Plamondon have out to the CDEA and expressed an interest in accessing this study.
"CSCE is a natural partner in this study as we already provide various options for child care, before and after school programs for school age children, afternoon day care for the Pre-K program children," said the superintendent. "We also manage 'Les petits oursons' daycare here in St Paul."
The school division became involved in providing these day care options as a way to develop language skills prior to young children entering school. It also allows the division to optimize the use of available space in its buildings, and develop relationships with parents as they are making school choice decisions.
"CSCE is now working on its overarching policy with regards to early learning services and will work with parents as they formalize their path forward over the next months," says Nolette.
Graduations
With spring arriving, many eager families of Grade 12 students across the Lakeland are anxious to see how high school graduation ceremonies will play out amid the current public health restrictions.
"We are asking our schools to respect public health restrictions," says Nolette, when asked about high school graduations for its schools. "With the new announcements yesterday (Tuesday), even outside gatherings are limited to 10 people."
She said communities within the Francophone school division will have to "stand by till further notice." Nolette acknowledges there may be disappointment being felt, but encouraged everyone to follow provincial rules.
École du Sommet and École Beaux-Lacs have both chosen June 5, 2021, to celebrate their 2020-21 graduates. Details of the celebrations may change according to public health measures.
Calendar
The CSCE is working on finalizing its calendar for the next school year, and sent out a draft to school councils and staff, with feedback being heard.
Nolette says the division takes into account school calendars put together by surrounding school boards.
"Our original calendar draft reflected the Christmas break that has been established in the various surrounding school boards, the break starting end of day Dec. 17 2021, with a return to class on Jan. 3, 2022.
"The draft went out to our school councils and staff. We got strong feedback from some school councils that they would like to see a change in the Christmas break as well as other suggestions," says Nolette. "We have created a new draft and the board has asked us to go back to the school councils and staff to get their feedback so that the board can make a decision at the end of April, at the regular board meeting."
Planning ahead
The CSCE submitted its 2022-25 capital plan to the to the Minister of Education on March 31.
Board Chair Reginald Roy wrote a letter to go along with the capital plan, stating that the priorities established in the plan aim to preserve the state of the French language in the region, in accordance with the Supreme Court decision rendered in British Columbia in June of 2020.
Priorities for the 2021-2025 education plan are still being developed by the school division.
"Quality Francophone education, the engagement of students in their community, the establishment of a visionary governance, particularly in terms of technologies and services for children, will be at the heart of this upcoming education plan," according to the school division.
