SOS Reopening Schools Letter Template

SOS Alberta is as concerned with HOW Alberta re-opens schools as it is with WHEN.

We believe strongly that a unique opportunity exists right now to ask for learning conditions that are consistent with our 10 Point Strategy To Achieve Equitable Public Education.

We have always advocated for smaller class sizes, for children to have proper spaces to each lunch (not gym or hallway floors), for schools that have proper care & maintenance (CBE schools are $1.3 billion dollars behind in much needed updates), in proper staffing, and a return to funding full time school nurses.
These are all resources that under COVID-19 become critical supports to reopening schools safely for all its occupants, teachers, caretakers, educational assistants and students alike.
Now is the time for Albertans to communicate our expectations for a school re-opening. To this end, SOS Alberta is providing a letter template.  Please use this letter to email the Premier Jason Kenney and the Minister of Education, Adriana LaGrange your expectations for a return to schools. Feel free to copy and paste the letter as is, or add/subtract points you deem relevant. We also recommend sharing this letter and contacting your MLA to let them know your thoughts on the reentry to school, you can find your MLA here. 
Please cc SOS at [email protected]!

Your voice is critical. 
Every letter is valuable. 
We believe public education advocacy belongs to all Albertans. 
This letter is not just for parents, but ALL Albertans who understand the value of a strong public education system. 

We’d also like to add that the Alberta School Councils’ Association is also circulating a survey for parents on school councils. We are unclear what the process is if you are a parent of a child (ie under 5) who wants to participate, or if your school council is not a member of ASCA. Our understanding is that ASCA can only represent its membership and it is uncertain who or how the data will be analyzed. Nonetheless, the survey is an important and valuable way to participate in feedback, complimented by writing a letter directly to Premier Kenney, Minister LaGrange and your MLA. Hopefully, in this ever evolving process more transparency and clarity will be shared with the public.
We hope every Albertan takes the time to communicate their position on a return to school, and hope our template assists you in that endeavour.