Update August 19, 2024
All three schools in Jasper will be not ready in time for the school year as work continues to clean up wildfire damage.
Jasper Elementary School, Jasper Junior and Senior High School, and Ecole Desrochers will not open in time for the new school year as deep cleaning takes place.
A damage and remediation assessment of the buildings found that ash and smoke are present in the schools. This will need to be cleaned up and the air quality needs to be deemed safe before the schools can reopen.
Work is underway, and Alberta Education continues to work with the local authorities to expedite resources such as cleanup contractors and accommodations for teachers and support staff.
In a statement (PDF; 4 pages; embedded below) issued August 19, Grande Yellowhead Public School Division indicated that schools will be open and ready to welcome students back to class on Tuesday, September 17.
Although there are still some steps to complete before schools can reopen, Division representatives are confident that we will be able to meet this timeline, barring any unforeseen circumstances.Inspect ions of the school buildings have indicated that there is smoke and ash inside, and the air quality is poor. The Division has since been working closely with the Alberta government to expedite the cleanup process and ensure the buildings are safe for students, teachers, and staff when they return.
The buildings are currently being deep cleaned, and remediation contractors have 24/7 access to the sites to
- replace ceiling tiles
- clean air ducts·
- go room-by-room to wash desks, computers and furniture
- put air exchangers in place to circulate fresh air
The health, safety, and well-being of students, teachers, and staff remain the highest priority, and the air quality will be re-tested before the schools open.
With schools in Jasper set to open on September 17, families have many options to start the school year:
- Families can start their children in school in Jasper on September 17.
- High school students can start the school year online on September 3. They will then join classes in Jasper on September 17.
- Families staying outside Jasper can register their children to attend school in any community by contacting the local school authority, and these students will be able to join classes in Jasper once they can return.
Jasper families are welcome to register their children at any Grande Yellowhead Public School Division school for September 2024 until re-entry back into Jasper is permitted and Jasper schools are ready to accept students back. Many GYPSD staff are also temporarily located across the province and in other areas of Canada.
Please email registration@gypsd.ca to register your child(ren) for both in-person and/or online learning options and our team will be happy to assist.
Students temporarily located in other areas of the province are also welcome to register at any Alberta school where there is available space. This means that Jasper students will have the option of attending school in communities like Hinton and Edson*, Grande Prairie, Edmonton or Calgary with online learning options being offered as a temporary measure to start the year.
*Busing will be offered from Jasper to Hinton or Edson.