Dear Red Earth Creek School Families,

The Peace River School Division management team and trustees are aware that since May 29 you have endured a prolonged emergency evacuation from your homes. This has meant a significant disruption to your children's learning, including missed instructional and review time. The school division’s priority is always the well-being and academic success of our students, and we recognize that your current circumstances are far from optimal in supporting learning or assessment activities.

After consultation with Alberta Education and Childcare personnel, and through careful consideration and recognition of the significant challenges your children have faced, I have decided that Grades 6 and 9 students will be exempted from writing any remaining Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) this school year. Be assured that their non-participation in these assessments will have absolutely no negative impact on their final school grades, nor will it affect the school or the division in any negative way. We believe this decision removes an unnecessary layer of pressure during an already trying time, hence providing time for our students and their families to focus on their personal well-being as they await approval to return to their homes.

I also want to assure our high school families that we are actively working to support students who are scheduled to complete diploma exams over the next two weeks. We are working with your principal, Ms. Crystal Saunders, to apply for a group exemption from writing the upcoming high school diploma exams that are scheduled to start today. If you have not already been in contact with Ms. Saunders to confirm your desire to be included in an exemption application, please contact her as soon as possible. Being exempted from writing the diploma exams means that each student’s final course mark will be the school-based mark earned from work completed in each diploma exam course throughout the semester.  We are confident that an exemption will be granted, and we will communicate the outcome of the application as soon as we receive confirmation from Alberta Education and Childcare personnel (Special Cases Division). 

Please know that our focus remains on supporting your children's return to a stable learning environment when it is safe to do so.  Meanwhile, we wish you and your families the very best in this difficult time. 

Sincerely,

Jeff Thompson, PhD
Superintendent of Schools
Peace River School Division