On April 21, 2021, Black Gold School Division applied to the Minister of Education to have all Grade 7 – 12 students in the Division move to at-home learning to help keep students and staff safe and address the chronic shortage of supply teachers, but was only successful in being granted permission for Thorsby Junior Senior High School.

Grades 7-12 students in Thorsby Junior Senior High School are moving to at-home learning from April 26 until May 7, 2021, inclusive. The students will be back in the school on May 10.

“This decision was not made lightly,” said Superintendent of Schools Bill Romanchuk. “However, with so many students and staff in quarantine or in isolation, a chronic shortage of substitute teachers, and spiking COVID cases in our communities, we believe this measure is in the best interest of both students and staff and to ensure continuity of learning,”

This period of at-home learning will be the same as how classes were delivered during the at-home learning period in December 2020. School staff is fully equipped for delivering this mode of instruction and anticipate a smooth transition.

Students will require the use of a personal computer or a Chromebook at home; a smartphone is not sufficient. Students who do not have access to a computer or Chromebook at home can sign one out from their schools.

“We know that many students are feeling anxious and uncertain at this time, so our schools will continue to offer them academic and personal counseling supports if needed,” said Board of Trustees Chair Devonna Klaassen.