Central Alberta
RDCRS Grade 7-9 classes in seven schools temporary shift to online learning effective April 27, 2021 until May 7, 2021
Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools Released This Letter to all Families of Students in Grades 7 to 9 on Monday, April 25
Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to navigate COVID-19 and what is best for our students. The cases this past weekend have impacted many staff and students, resulting in a shortage of substitute teachers. As we continue to receive positive COVID-19 alerts from Alberta Health Services, we realize that we must take action to ensure we are able to keep substitute teachers in front of our Kindergarten to Grade 6 students where possible. Ideally, we would like to keep all students in a face-to-face classroom and we are hopeful that with this temporary shift we will be able to mitigate some of the transmission of COVID-19.
Therefore, RDCRS Grade 7 to Grade 9 classes in seven schools will be shifting temporarily to online learning beginning, Tuesday, April 27, 2021- May 7 , 2021. We will resume in-person learning on May 10, 2021.
Schools impacted by this operational shift are:
- ● St. Francis of Assisi Middle School (Grade 7-Grade 9)
- ● St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School (Grade 7-Grade 9)
- ● St. Patrick’s Community School (Grade 7-Grade 9)
- ● École Camille J Lerouge School (Grade 7-Grade 9)
- ● St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School (Grade 7-Grade 9)
- ● St. Gregory the Great Catholic School (Grade 7 to Grade 9 – Extended to May 7)
- ● École Mother Teresa School (Grade 7-Grade 9: English and French classes)
RDCRS students from Grade 7 to Grade 9 will be offered online learning following a weekly class schedule so that students can work directly with their teachers throughout the day. Transitioning of school supplies, textbooks and chromebooks will occur on Monday, April 26, 2021. More details about online learning structures will be communicated to your child in their regular scheduled classes online on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, with their teacher. This will ensure that we will be able to keep moving forward with the curriculum and continue the strong learning that is happening within classes. Your child’s homeroom teacher will contact families via email this evening with further details.
Please know that this decision was not made lightly and, as we continue to realize the strains that COVID-19 places on us, we need to be flexible with our decision making and place our students and their learning at the center of all conversations. We will support your family with technology if your child requires it. Scheduling for technology pick-up will be available beginning tomorrow.
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, school counsellors, and school administrators for additional support or clarification. While this is a challenging time, we continue to trust in the Lord with all our heart, leaning on each other for support and companionship. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Have a safe and blessed day. God bless.
Kathleen Finnigan, Superintendent of Schools Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools
Alberta
New Sheriffs unit to enhance public safety in Red Deer and Central Alberta
A new team of Alberta Sheriffs will work alongside police to keep crime out of central Alberta communities by targeting problem properties.
Since 2023, Alberta’s government has invested more than $27 million to help fight crime throughout the province. Building on these efforts, the government is now expanding the Alberta Sheriffs’ Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit with the creation of a new team of investigators in Red Deer. The creation of the Red Deer SCAN team is the latest in a series of measures aimed at enhancing public safety and increasing the Alberta Sheriffs’ ability to support police throughout the province.
The move puts more resources on the ground with a team of qualified experts who will investigate properties where illegal activity has been reported and shut them down through court orders when needed. The Red Deer SCAN team – made up of four Alberta Sheriffs – joins existing SCAN teams in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge, which have proven immensely effective in working alongside local police to shutter problem properties throughout the province.
“Alberta’s government will always maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward crime of any kind, and the expansion of the Alberta Sheriffs’ SCAN unit reflects that. With the creation of a new SCAN team in Red Deer, we’re expanding the unit’s coverage even further and putting more boots on the ground where they’re needed. Let this be a message to all criminals: you are not welcome here. Communities in the Red Deer area have a right not to be plagued by drug and other criminal activity that create dangerous environments, and Alberta’s government will do whatever it takes to keep people safe.”
The Sheriffs’ SCAN unit operates under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, which uses legal sanctions and court orders to hold owners accountable for illegal activity happening on their property, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and child exploitation. SCAN augments and supports local police to both investigate and close properties where evidence of criminal activity has been confirmed.
“Ensuring safety for law-abiding Albertans is of utmost importance for Alberta’s government and requires a comprehensive approach to effectively combat and prevent criminal activity. This involves enhancing law-enforcement resources, fostering community engagement, implementing crime prevention programs, and promoting collaboration between Alberta Sheriffs and local police. This SCAN team is a game-changer in central Alberta and puts criminals on notice that they are not welcome here.”
“The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act holds property owners accountable for activities on their property that threaten public safety. Alberta’s SCAN teams support policing efforts by addressing illegal activities on these properties. This additional team will enhance RCMP community safety programs.”
When a community member reports a problem property to SCAN, the unit begins an investigation. Once the investigation confirms the activity, investigators contact the property owner to try and resolve the issue informally. If informal efforts are unsuccessful, SCAN can apply to the courts for a community safety order to impose restrictions and conditions on the property and its owner, which could include closing the property for up to 90 days. Any criminal activity uncovered when dealing with these properties is turned over to the police to investigate.
“Over the years, SCAN’s impact on community safety has been profound. More often than not, we see individuals in these problem properties carrying out drug operations and other criminal activities beside homes, schools, playgrounds and other places where Albertans’ safety should never be in question. Crime has no place in any Alberta neighbourhood, and we look forward to working with our policing partners in the Red Deer area to help keep central Alberta communities safe.”
SCAN continues to see tremendous success, having closed problem properties in Lethbridge, Calgary, Spruce Grove and Medicine Hat in the last six months alone. Since May 2024, Alberta’s government has publicly announced the closure of seven problem properties by SCAN, including three in Calgary, two in Lethbridge, and one each in Spruce Grove and Medicine Hat.
“Creating a safer environment for our citizens improves the overall quality of our community in Red Deer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alberta’s government, SCAN and all our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe. This is great news for the City of Red Deer, and together, we can make our community safer. I encourage residents to report any suspicious activity to the SCAN unit.”
The Red Deer SCAN team’s operational boundaries encompass the city of Red Deer and its surrounding communities and rural areas, providing coverage to the central area spanning Ponoka to the north and Olds to the south.
Blackfalds
Drugs and guns seized in Blackfalds bust: RCMP
From Blackfalds RCMP
Blackfalds RCMP execute search warrant seizing drugs and guns
Blackfalds, Alta. – In September of 2024 the Blackfalds RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) with assistance from Sylvan Lake GIS entered into an investigation involving an individual believed to be trafficking drugs in the community. As a result of the investigation, on Oct. 2, 2024, Blackfalds RCMP with assistance from Innisfail RCMP GIS and Red Deer RCMP Police Dog Service executed a search warrant at a home in Blackfalds.
As a result of the search RCMP seized:
- 253 grams of Cocaine
- $3343 in Currency
- 6 firearms
RCMP have arrested and charged Blackfalds resident, Lotus Joan Silver Stalteri-Roberts (25), with:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking;
- Possession of stolen property under $5000;
- Weapons offences (x8).
Stalteri-Roberts was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with her next court date set for Oct. 3, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.
“This investigation saw the effective coordination of different RCMP Detachments and Sections to quickly and safely remove these drugs and guns from our community,” says Staff Sergeant Andrew Allan.
If you have any information about this investigation or about drug trafficking in the Blackfalds area please contact Blackfalds RCMP at 403-885-3333 or submit an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.
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