​Grande Prairie, AB – Since Friday, October 30, 2020, Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) has been advised of confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Peace Wapiti Academy (PWA) and Whispering Ridge Community School (WRCS). Administration communicated the following information to families and staff over the weekend:

• Friday, October 30:        A single confirmed case at PWA.
• Saturday, October 31:    A single confirmed case at WRCS.
• Sunday, November 1:    A single confirmed case at PWA.
• Sunday, November 1:    A single confirmed case at WRCS.

Out of respect for the individuals, and in accordance with Alberta Health Services (AHS) guidelines, no further information will be shared about the cases. PWPSD, PWA and WRCS wish the individuals a safe and speedy recovery, and will continue to work closely with AHS to ensure necessary measures are in place to protect all students and staff.

WRCS to temporarily move to at-home learning; in-person learning continues at PWA

Due to the confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the number of close contacts identified this past weekend, out of an abundance of caution and lack of available staff, Alberta Education has granted PWPSD permission to authorize a short-term operational shift to at-home remote learning for WRCS for the remainder of this week, Tuesday, November 3 to Friday, November 6. While in-school learning at WRCS is expected to resume on Monday, November 9, at-home remote learning may need to be extended for an additional week, as more information becomes known through contact tracing.

In-school learning at PWA will continue as usual for all students not identified by AHS as a close contact.

PWA and WRCS have provided the following operational information:

• The plans set in place to create zones and cohorts at PWA and WRCS have worked as planned, and helped in the successful completion of contact tracing with AHS.
  

• AHS will provide all close contacts with further direction on testing and isolation instructions.
  
  
• Remote learning opportunities will be provided to isolating students.
  
  
• Both schools were disinfected over the weekend.

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