Students heads back to class week for another school year, this time under the province's new all-grades cellphone ban in the classroom. Medicine Hat High School is shown in this 2019 file photo.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Most Medicine Hat students will be heading back to the classroom Tuesday after the summer break. This year will bring new changes, including a province-wide restriction on personal device use and social media.
All public elementary students will head back Tuesday. Class schedules for all middle and high school students can be found on your school’s website as well as a full list of school supplies.
Students attending Medicine Hat and Crescent Heights High Schools, Alexandra Middle School and Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre return to class at staggered times throughout Tuesday and Wednesday.
The public school division has also posted its new bus routes which can be found by clicking the small bus icon on the top right of any Medicine Hat Public School Division website.
Students who are not registered, or are awaiting registration confirmation on their school bus passes will not be turned away and are able to ride the bus during a grace period for the first couple weeks of school.
All Catholic students from Grade 1-12 will start class with a full day Tuesday and will wrap up the week with Early Learning Friday on Sept. 6 for Kindergarten and ELP.
A full schedule of every school as well as bus routes and pickup times and locations can be found online by visiting the Catholic Board of Education’s website and clicking the ‘Back to School Basics’ tab in the news section.
This year all Alberta school divisions have been asked by the provincial government to develop their own policies and procedures for use of cellphones, smartphones and other personal devices within the classroom.
The provincial restrictions were announced in June and seek to prevent students from using any personal devices and social media during class time, except for medical needs or emergencies. More information on the public and Catholic school division guidelines can be found online at medicinehatnews.com.
Public school parents and guardians will receive a copy of the guidelines before the start of class on Tuesday and are advised to go over all changes with their children.
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides provided a statement this week before students begin their upcoming studies.
“I wish all new and returning students a school year filled with fun, friends, laughter, learning and discovery,” says Nicolaides. “I extend my sincere thanks to all teachers, teacher leaders, support staff, parents and caregivers for your dedication to supporting the learning, success and well-being of Alberta’s children.”
Public students will have Sept. 20 off for a division wide professional development day, and Catholic students will be away from school for a PD day Oct. 4.
