Medicine Hat Public School Division (CHAT News File Photo)

By Prina Atwal

Medicine Hat school boards notice an increase in absences

Nov 22, 2022 | 1:41 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Alberta school boards are continuing to report a significant increase in absences in their schools due to what Alberta Health Services says is respiratory illnesses. Schools are required to report absences if they reach more than 10 per cent.

In Medicine Hat, five public schools – George Davison School, Medicine Hat Christian School, Ross Glen School, South View Community School, and Vincent Massey School – all exceeded a 10 per cent absence rate on Monday, with some rising towards 15 per cent.

Absences include both students are staff, though the percentage of students is higher. Supt. Mark Davidson says there are concerns.

“The teachers will always express concerns about absences right because when students aren’t there, they’re not able to participate in the learning process, certainly we’re concerned about a rising level of absence among staff because it can become difficult to cover classes.”

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Davidson adds that students are encouraged to stay home if they are ill. But he says, there is a plan in place.

“We work with Alberta Health Services, and we take our direction or guidance from them as we go, we certainly have contingency plans in place, in case we have a level of absence amongst staff, that makes it challenging for us to operate.”

Further, the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education provided a written statement regarding absences in their schools.

“As of November 15, we’ve had a slight increase of staff and student absences due to illness, but nothing significant at this time. As a division, we benefited greatly from our Health and Wellness November break (Nov. 7-11), this gave our students and staff an opportunity to rest especially if they were experiencing cold and flu symptoms,” says Supt. Dr. Dwayne Zarichny.

The Grasslands Public Schools Board has not yet commented on absences in their schools.