306: Emergency Health Issues Response
Responsible Administrator: Superintendent
PURPOSE
The Division, in cooperation with the provincial government and Alberta Health Services, supports efforts to minimize emergency health issues and their disruption to the operational activities of the Division. The administrators and staff are expected to ensure the most effective and efficient use of resources for the maximum benefit and protection of students, staff and facilities.
PROCEDURE
1. In the event that Alberta Health Services identifies evidence of a significant health issue outbreak in the region, the Superintendent has the authority to make final decisions regarding crisis response, as guided by Administrative Procedure 305: Emergency Preparedness Response Plan.
1.1 When a state of emergency is declared by a Ministry of the Alberta Government, the particular ministry will have such authority.
2. The Superintendent will communicate a standard set of response protocols in a Crisis Response Plan for dealing with significant health issues to ensure that members of administration and staff are familiar with roles and processes in the event of an outbreak. The Crisis Response Plan must align with Administrative Procedure 305: Emergency Preparedness Response Plan and Administrative Procedure 231: At Home Learning to ensure both safety and continuity of student education.
3. Every student has a right to education during emergencies declared under the Public Health Act or the Emergency Management Act, as in clause 1.1 above.
3.1 The Superintendent must ensure that students are provided either in-person learning or at-home learning in accordance with Administrative Procedure 231: At Home Learning and relevant Regulations and Orders.
3.2 The Principal must ensure parental notification and consent are obtained for students under the age of 16. For students aged 16 or older, both the student's consent and parental notification are required for any Board-established health measures that apply directly to the student.
3.3 Clause 3.2 does not apply to any health measure specifically exempted by Order of the Minister.
4. In accordance with directives emanating from federal and provincial authorities and the consequent circumstances that may prevail, the Superintendent may temporarily suspend the Division's current practices and operating guidelines.
References:
Policy 17: Inclement Weather
Admin Procedure: 231 At Home Learning
Admin Procedure: 245 Health and Safety
Admin Procedure: 255 Inclement Weather and Outdoor Air Quality Decisions for Schools
Admin Procedure: 305 Emergency Preparedness Response Plan
Hour Zero Crisis Consulting Ltd.
Education Act: Sections 3, 3.1, 11, 33, 52, 53, 196, 197, 222
Emergency Management Act
Emergency Medical Aid Act
Access to Information Act (ATIA)
Health Information Act
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Public Health Act
Communicable Disease Regular (AR 238/85)
In-Person Learning Regulation (AR 13/2025)
Alberta Fire Code
History
2025 Aug 27 Initial Approval
Administrative Procedures III. General School Administration