Cheerleaders, parents frustrated with EPSB short notice not allowing them to attend Expo Centre event due to COVID-19 rules
CTV
Some cheerleaders and parents from two Edmonton Public Schools are frustrated with the district after they were not allowed to attend a competition in person this weekend.
Some cheerleaders and parents from two Edmonton Public Schools are frustrated with the district after they were not allowed to attend a competition in person this weekend.
Teams from D. S. MacKenzie Junior High School and Harry Ainlay High School were supposed to participate in the first Cold Snap Cheer & Dance Championships in 22 months at the Edmonton Expo Centre, but the Edmonton Public School Board told them on Thursday they would have to participate virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions.
During the current fifth wave, EPSB says inter-school games are allowed, without fans, but tournaments and field trips are postponed.
EPSB informed teams they would not be allowed to go to the Expo Centre because Cold Snap is a tournament not organized by the school division and it allows spectators, "which does not align with our current protocols."
They cited concerns with students interacting with other cohorts of students and schools, where the risk of COVID-19 transmissibility would be higher. EPSB added that these restrictions have been in place since the return from winter break.
Like so many times in the pandemic, the teams were asked to settle for the online experience.
Every team that signed up was at the Expo Centre, but D.S. MacKenzie and Harry Ainley participated from the high school's gym and livestreamed the performance to family and friends, and the Cold Snap judges back at the competition venue.
