COVID-19 Updates

As we continue to navigate the landscape of COVID-19, the College remains committed to our Mission, empowering each student to thrive, contribute, and live a healthy, purposeful life and our Values of Empathy, Respect, Integrity, Honesty, and Courage. While we recognize there are different perspectives and opinions in our community, our aim is to adhere to the College’s principles, which invite a diverse and inclusive community, where everyone belongs. 

We will continue to prioritize safety and comfort for all students, staff and community members while: 

• Attending to the impacts of the last 17 months with a particular focus on well-being, physical activity & connection 

• Maintaining a responsive and communicative approach with our community 

• Demonstrating the flexibility to change approaches when necessary or required 

• Ensuring a positive and memorable #MYWIC student experience 

Many of our routines and reminders will continue including, but not limited to, our increased cleaning protocols, reminders of good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette and sanitization of high touch areas.  

This year’s plan reflects the most current guidance from the Alberta Government as it pertains to COVID 19 in schools. Please be aware that these guidelines and processes are subject to change by the Government of Alberta or West Island College.  

Sincerely,

Erin Corbett
Head of School, West Island College

Revised September 16, 2021, Effective September 16, 2021​​​​​​​

All students riding the bus to and from school or traveling on a WIC bus for an event will be required to wear a mask for the duration of the trip. This was set out by AHS to ensure alignment with guidance on publicly available transport. 

West Island College students and employees will be expected to complete the daily self-screening heath checklist created by the Government of Alberta prior to coming to school each day. If anyone feels unwell it is vital for the safety of our community that they stay home and follow the expectations of the current public health order regarding isolation.  

Students staying home unwell will have access to missed content on D2L. If a student has an extended health-related absence, additional measures will be taken, including Remote Attendance, if the circumstances permit. 

Students who develop symptoms at school will be asked to wear a mask and isolate in a separate room until a parent/guardian arrives for pickup. If a separate room is not available, the student will be physically distanced from other individuals while awaiting pickup.  

Students are expected to attend school in person on a regular basis. While Remote Attendance will no longer be offered as a component of the regular school day, it will be made available if circumstances warrant it (extended health-related absence). If students are going to be absent, families should continue to communicate with the school via phone 403-255-5300 or email office@mywic.ca. Students staying home unwell for 1-2 days will have access to missed content on D2L. If a student’s absence due to illness becomes prolonged parents should contact their respective divisional heads for guidance and support. 

The decision to be vaccinated is a personal choice. In accordance with Alberta’s privacy legislation, the Personal Information Protection Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, staff must respect the health privacy of students, including their vaccination status. 

Individuals born in 2009 or earlier are eligible for the COVID 19 vaccination. More information can be found at Alberta Health Services with further information on vaccines at Alberta.ca/COVID19-Vaccine and myhealth COVID19 vaccine.  

West Island College will work with Alberta Health Services to provide an immunization clinic at school for those who are eligible. 

Adherence to personal hygiene practices, including hand hygiene and proper cough/sneeze etiquette, will be essential for the prevention and control of infection. Students and staff will be expected to exercise proper hand hygiene when they are entering and exiting the school or classrooms as well as before and after eating. Hand sanitizing stations will be in place throughout the school. 

WIC will continue with additional cleaning measures instituted in 2020/21. High touch surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected several times per day. This includes doorknobs, light switches, faucet handles, railings, desks and tabletops, and other frequently used materials. There will also be regularly scheduled daily deep cleaning of the school after hours. 

WIC continues to partner with Johnson Controls to maintain optimal ventilation and air exchange. An additional layer of air filtering, (the Odorox® product manufactured by The PYURE Company) was added in the spring of 2021. This patented air and surface purification technology uniquely generates and distributes Atmospheric Hydroxyls (•OH). •OH neutralizes bacteria, viruses, odors, mold and hazardous gases. 

Physical distancing is still available to all students and staff. Students may still choose to physical distance and to be in smaller groups and additional spaces will be provided for this purpose.   

We will be using a modified timetable for the first semester. The timing of the start of the day and the end of the day has not been changed but the staggered blocks allow for a different start to the lunches for Grades 7-8 students and Grades 9-12 students. Lunch for students in Grades 9-12 will begin at 11:50 am, while those students in Grades 7-8 will begin lunch at 11:05 am. This will minimize the number of students in all common spaces (Hall of Nations, cafeteria, Great Hall). To view the current timetable, click here. 

Grade 7s will continue to have a core group of students that they attend daily classes with. 

Students will have their own individual locker for the year where they can keep their personal and school belongings. As a reminder, students should lock them every time after use and keep the combination secure. 

Students in Grades 7-12 will continue to bring their own devices to School. Students should not be sharing their items, especially food and drink. Where specialized equipment is required, for example during science lab activities, the equipment will be cleaned between uses. 

Signage remains in place as reminders of the value of distancing and the general flow of people through the school. Signage around respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene as preventative measures for spreading illnesses also remains in place.  

While we are once again able to do assemblies and value the importance of coming together as a school we will be proceeding in a measured manner as the school year starts. Assemblies (whole school) will be outside, when possible, indoors with smaller groups, live streamed, or a combination (simultaneous virtual & in-person). 

Alberta Education has indicated in their 2021-2022 School Plan that diplomas and grade 9 PATs will be mandatory once again this year. Students at WIC should also expect to be completing school-based assessments during the January and June exam sessions. We will support students with their learning needs as they adjust to the demands of formalized assessment. 

Students are able to wear a modified uniform for the first semester. The specific details about student uniform are found here in the Uniform Guidelines.  

Students can use the changing rooms before and after Physical Education classes and athletics if they choose. 

These activities will resume in the fall. WIC may add additional protective measures to specific activities or events on a situational basis. These measures could include but are not limited to such things as bell covers on musical instruments, outdoor practices, increased spacing between athletes during training where possible, reduced numbers of students on a trip or masking for a specific location. 

Proper nutrition throughout the day is an integral part of student wellbeing and learning. Our cafeteria services will resume, and the microwaves will be available for students to use. Food provided by the family will be stored with the student’s belongings in their lockers until lunchtime.  

The water fountains are available for students to use., Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottle to fill. 

Our first set of Parent Teacher Interviews in October will be held via Zoom. 

We recognize and appreciate that the challenges of physical isolation and remote learning have had impacted all of our students differently over the past 18 months. While many students are excited for the social connection and support offered by the full return to in-class learning, some will be anxious. Teachers and staff will work closely with families to support the social and emotional needs of our students as we transition back to in-person learning. Support will be available from the Student Success Centre Staff. 

Parents are encouraged to reach out to their child’s teacher or the Junior High School or Senior High School Principal for in-school support. 

Consideration of the following can help set up students for success: 

• Focus on the positives and what they are looking forward to about school. 

• Provide reassurance and help your child to feel understood and supported. 

• Focus on what you can control and help children identify situations they can control and apply practical strategies to reduce anxiety. 

• Get back into school routines at least a week early – waking up, eating, going to bed at regular times. 

• Stick to familiar routines as much as possible. 

For any questions, please reach out to your Divisional Principal:

Tracy Armitage
Principal of Junior High School
(Grades 7-9)

Danielle Lamoureux
Principal of Senior High School
(Grades 10-12)