School officials preparing for Jasper students to return to school in mid-September

Dozens of people are working to make sure Jasper students will be able to have a school year that is as normal as possible. 

While school won't start until Sept. 17, the school calendar for the upcoming year in Jasper is expected to stay relatively the same as was planned before the wildfire, according to the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division. 

Work continues following the aftermath of July's wildfire with crews working to clean smoke, ash, and dust from Jasper Elementary School, Jasper Junior and Senior High School and Ecole Desrochers. 

The school board said in a note to families that the cleaning being conducted is beyond standard janitorial work and requires specialists. Some work includes replacing all ceiling tiles as they may be absorbing ash particles. All ventilation systems also require inspection and cleaning of exposed components to ensure air quality.

To expedite the clean-up process, the school board is working with the provincial government to hire contractors to assist.

Since it was safe to enter the buildings, there have been about 200 people each day working inside to get the schools ready to open. 

An online information session was held for parents on Wednesday. Many questions from parents centred on logistics, safety and mental health supports. 

"No one will be behind, because we are all starting, all of the Jasper students including our francophone colleagues, are going to be starting the curricular, subject and grade level or requirements on the exact same day," said Kelly Harding, an assistant superintendent with the school board. 

"Because we don't want to cause any more anxiety or stress or concern for students who have already experienced so much chaos and distress this summer."

Since instructional hours at Jasper schools are normally higher than what is mandated by the province, officials said that there will not be a loss in progress for students.

Officials advised that it was not necessary for parents to enrol their child in a different school prior to Sept. 17.

Assistant superintendent Carra Aschenmeier reassured families that progress would not halted if returning to school in Jasper. 

"We really encourage you to start on this 17th, rather than have your student in a really unknown environment in another division for eight days before we begin. But again, that is a family decision, and we leave that to you." 

However due to the delayed start, students at École Jasper Elementary School will see their day start at 8:27 a.m. and end at 3:03 p.m. to meet requirements. 

The school board advises families who will not be living in Jasper to register their children to go to school in the region they are living in. Families will have the option of enrolling in Jasper schools whenever they move back. 

Busing from from Hinton to Jasper will be available. A centralized pick-up location in Hinton is being finalized. 

Air quality assessments will be carried out before students and staff return along with the installation of carbon filters for the next two months.

For families who have suffered significant loss due to the wildfire, school board officials said they will be able to provide school supplies if asked.

Teachers will be able to access their classrooms on the weekend before Sept. 17.

Officials said support for staff who have been impacted by the wildfire is being offered and that substitute teachers and casual staff will be available to support the community.