Edmonton Public Schools offering places to students displaced by Jasper wildfire

As work continues to clean up wildfire damage, the three schools in Jasper will likely not be ready in time for the school year.

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. The provincial government says students will be sent to schools in Hinton if buildings aren’t ready by September.

Grande Yellowhead Public School Division superintendent Carolyn Lewis says the division will only send students to out-of-town schools if absolutely necessary. She says crews are already tackling the big job of cleaning everything from walls and windows to air ducts and fire alarms.

Jasper residents can begin returning home on Friday, but re-entry could take weeks or months for those who have lost their homes. Now, Edmonton Public Schools is offering spaces to students displaced by the wildfire.

Before the school year starts on August 29, displaced families can contact the Division Support Services Centre for Education to get help enrolling their kids in school.

Veronica Jubinville, Division spokesperson at Edmonton Public Schools said, “Edmonton Public Schools is committed to providing support for students and families who are displaced by the Jasper fire. We want to make this transition as seamless as possible to ensure students feel welcome and supported in their new learning environment.”

Families can call 780-429-8030 before the school year starts on August 29 for help with finding an appropriate school for their child, understanding and completing the registration process, and addressing other concerns.

After August 29, families are encouraged to use “Find a School Tool” on the website to help them locate a school close to where they are currently living. After the family has identified the school, they can contact the school directly to initiate the registration process and complete the registration forms.

“Staff are ready to guide families through the necessary steps to get students enrolled and ready for the first day of classes,” added Jubinville.

Around 25,000 people fled Jasper and its national park three weeks ago as wildfires encroached on the area, eventually destroying one-third of town structures.

-Files from The Canadian Press