The Fort McMurray Catholic School District is canceling classes on Friday and Monday for students in grades 7 to 12.

The FMCSD announced on Thursday they’re using the next five days to prepare for the return to online learning which was one of the latest COVID-19 measures brought in by the provincial government.

“We also recognize that for our staff at Father Mercredi and Holy Trinity High Schools, there is a great deal of effort and planning which occurs when switching from in-person classroom instruction to off-site instruction,” said George McGuigan, Superintendent.

Online classes will get underway on Tuesday, December 1.

Students will still be able to go to their school for specialized programs, the high school support centre through appointments, counseling, to complete their CTS project for welding, automotive, robotics, or carpentry if an isolated workspace is available, or to gather their materials.

To make up for the lost school days, the FMCSD is changing December 4 and January 8, previously scheduled as professional learning Fridays, back to instructional days.

Schedules for children in the early education programs to grade 6, as well as those who’ve been learning online since the start of the school year, will continue as normal.

Meanwhile, in-person classes for grade 7 to 12 students in the Fort McMurray Public School Division will continue on Friday. The first day of online learning will happen on Monday.

All students are slated to return, at this time, to in-class learning on January 11, 2021.