Strathcona County is supporting parents, caregivers, students, teachers, and staff returning to school on August 31, 2023.

Mental health and well-being

Back to school is a big transition for families. Change can feel exciting, challenging or bring up a complicated mix of emotions! Some kids and teens may have difficulty sleeping, feel anxious about peers and schoolwork or have trouble managing their day-to-day routine. The County's Family and Community Services is here to support you through this season.

The Family Resource Network offers free courses and workshops to support your family. Other mental health and well being support for you and your family include:

• The Solutions Navigation team is here to listen and help you figure out solutions to life's challenges, whether you're stressed about finances, relationships or are looking for some guidance applying for subsidies or filling out forms. Navigation is free to access.
• The Counselling team is here to support you and your family's mental health. Counselling is offered virtually, over the phone or in-person and uses a pay what you can afford model.

To access any of these services, call 780-464-4044 or drop by the FCS office on the second floor of the Community Centre (401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park).

Additional Resources

• Elk Island Catholic Schools
• Elk Island Public Schools
• Strathcona County Library programs

School bus and school zone laws

It is illegal to pass a school bus with flashing red lights or its stop sign extended. Doing so can result in a $567 fine and losing six demerits.

If a school bus is stopped, be on the lookout for students. Drivers must be ready to stop and may pass with precaution if a bus' amber lights are flashing. If a bus' red lights are flashing or the stop arm is extended, drivers are required by law to stop 20 metres away until the lights are no longer flashing and the arm is not extended. Read all road rules for drivers near a school bus: Alberta's Driver’s Guide. 

Tips for pedestrians and cyclists

When you are a pedestrian or cyclist, it is your job to make sure vehicles see you! Pay attention, follow the rules and be visible. Learn more about pedestrian safety and cycling safety 

Tips for drivers

• Know the rules for driving by stopped school buses
• Watch for school safety patrollers and stop as directed.
• Watch for kids between parked vehicles and on the sidewalk.
• Use caution when approaching intersections or mid-block crosswalks. Parked or stopped vehicles may hide a pedestrian crossing the road. 
• Do not park within five metres of a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked.
• Always watch for children crossing roads. Prepare to slow down and stop.

Speed limits

• The school zone speed limit is 30 km/h, in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on school days.
• Playground zone speed limit is 30 km/h every day. It is in effect starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending one hour after sunset. 

As a reminder, speeding fines in playground and school zones start at $81.00 plus 2 demerits for one kilometre over the speed limit, and increase with every kilometre over the speed limit. Passing or attempting to pass another vehicle in a school or playground zone, results in a minimum fine of $243 and three demerits. 

Learn more about Policing and Enforcement from Strathcona County RCMP & Enforcement Services

Getting to school

This fall, transit will transport over 5,000 riders. Customer service representatives  are available to help riders plan their back to school travel.

Locally, transit service is available for students attending Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School. Check with the school to obtain passes. 

All students are encouraged to take advantage of local transit routes. Local transit is included for both U-Pass and commuter pass holders. Parking will continue to remain at a premium, especially during the school year.

Transit service into Edmonton provides direct routes to:

• University of Alberta
• NAIT
• MacEwan University’s downtown campus.

Evening and weekend local service - On-Demand Transit

An important service change for students who may have evening classes and weekend commitments is On-demand Transit. Using the app, students will need to book their local travel within Sherwood Park:
Monday to Friday, 7:15 p.m. - 12:15 a.m.,
Saturdays, 6:15 a.m. - 12:15 a.m., and
Sundays, 7:15 a.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Visit the On-demand webpage for more information on this new service.

Schedule information

Call 780-464-RIDE (7433) for schedule information, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where to buy passes and tickets

Strathcona County Transit passes and tickets are available for purchase at:

• Bethel Transit Terminal,
• Ordze Transit Centre (during specified hours)

Make back to school eco-friendly

From packing lunches to choosing school supplies: check these tips on how to make environmentally friendly choices for this school year.