Grad 2021 sleepovers put on back burner following AHS letter

“It isn’t uncommon at all for Alberta Health Services to rely on school jurisdictions to share their direction with community, or share guidance or ask support from community,” said MHPSD superintendent Mark Davidson. “So, when they reached out just a couple of days ago and asked us to send a message out to the families of our Grade 12 students, we were happy to do so.”

The note advises against these particular gatherings for students at Medicine Hat High School, Crescent Heights High School, Monsignor McCoy High School, and Eagle Butte High School.

The sleepovers for Medicine Hat High and Crescent Heights High students were to have taken place on Sunday, while the Eagle Butte High gathering was originally planned for this Saturday.

According to AHS, considerations have not been met to include mandatory physical distancing and to be within the province’s restrictions for indoor and outdoor gathering sizes.

In a statement, AHS said these gatherings pose significant risk for COVID-19 transmission.

“On August 25, Alberta Health Services (AHS) reached out to the event organizers of the Grad 2021 sleepovers in Medicine Hat. Our focus is keeping families and the larger school bodies association with these events safe.

As noted in our letter, the events must meet Chief Medical Officer of Health orders, and related guidelines, the same as every other event in Alberta at this time. At the time of writing the letter, the events did not meet the guidelines. This was concerning to us, and it was imperative that we immediately seek collaboration with the organizers, to protect the health of all involved.

We understand that this can be hard for upcoming graduates, who were looking forward to this tradition; however these are extraordinary times with significant risk. We appreciate that the event organizers have revisited the events, and are working with us.”

AHS said at least two of the sleepover gatherings have been cancelled, while organizers from one of the others have been working with AHS to fit within the guidelines.

Davidson said AHS has the full support of the public school division in their decision.

“Alberta Health Services issues direction that they feel is appropriate to protect the health of Albertans and the health of the community of Medicine Hat,” he said. Our school division is fully supportive of the direction that they’ve issued.”

As for the Prairie Rose School Division, they echoed the same comments in a statement adding they don’t have any involvement with off-site activities such as these.

“Prairie Rose School Division does not organize, promote or support any type of off-campus event that does not adhere to school division policies,” said PRSD superintendent Roger Clarke. “In this case, Alberta Health Services approached the school division directly asking for assistance with the distribution of a letter highlighting concerns related to the possible breaching of public health orders by local teens. Prairie Rose fully supports the AHS plan that provides guidelines to mitigate the community spread of COVID-19 and felt it was important to share this information with our families.”

With classes returning next week for students across the area, Davidson added these types of gatherings can pose a sizable risk in terms of transmission ahead of a crucial period for all learners.

“We’re hopeful that the community and the young people of our community can understand the gravity of the situation, can understand the motivation of Alberta Health Services, and that they’ll be respectful of that direction,” he said.

by Scott Roblin

Grad 2021 sleepovers put on back burner following AHS letter

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