Appliance Repair in La Grange, CA

When appliances fail, life comes to a halt in many modern-day households. Food can't be prepared or cooked, laundry can't be washed or dried, and leftovers spoil because they aren't refrigerated. Due to the complex nature of home appliances, repairing them yourself isn't a good idea. It takes a professional appliance repair technician to get the job done safely. And that's where Appliance Service Plus comes in - to give hardworking folks quick, effective appliance repair services at prices that won't break the bank.

Unlike other appliance repair companies in La Grange, our customer's needs come first before everything. We strive to keep affordability and high-quality appliance repair at the forefront of our work. We stack that with factory-trained technicians and protective warranties to provide the very best appliance repair in town.

Appliance Service Plus has provided high-quality appliance repair in La Grange for over 50 years. With such extensive experience, there are few appliance issues we haven't seen and fixed. From basic repairs to more complicated diagnostics, our team is here to give your appliance new life, so you can get back to living yours.

Attempting to fix an appliance on your own can be costly, time-consuming, and damaging. In the end, DIY fixes are often more expensive and less effective than working with a pro. Appliance Service Plus is here to help you save time, money, and stress that come with DIY solutions. Our customers choose us because they know we'll get the job done right the first time around. At the end of the day, we want to resolve your issue quickly and effectively, saving you time, hassle, and worry.

When you hire the Appliance Service Plus team, our technicians come prepared to diagnose and repair your appliance in a professional and timely manner. We're happy to answer questions about your problem and won't quit until the problem is fixed. Our appliance repair techs are constantly learning and refining their skills. That way, they can fix any appliance you need with confidence and quality. And when it comes to customer service, we're the best in town. You can always count on your technician arriving on time and ready to work.

If you have questions or need to make an appointment, a friendly, helpful voice will always be on the other end of the phone, waiting to assist.

When we say we put our customer's needs first, we mean it. That's why we offer a 30-day warranty on labor and a 90-day warranty on parts, giving our customers peace of mind with every appliance repair we complete.

Our Services

Dishwasher Repair in La Grange, CA
Keep Dishes Fresh & Clean with Dishwasher Repair in La Grange, CA
Common Signs You Need Dishwasher Repair in La Grange, CA
Keep Food Cool and Crisp with Refrigerator Repair in La Grange, CA
Common Signs You Need Refrigerator Repair in La Grange, CA
Keep on Cooking with Stove Repair in La Grange, CA
Common Signs You Need Range or Stove Repair in La Grange, CA
Your Top Choice for Expert Appliance Repair in La Grange, CA

Services Area

At Appliance Service Plus, we're passionate about providing personalized services and helpful advice with a friendly smile. We believe our commitment to quality distinguishes us from the crowd. When your appliances fail, we're here when you need us the most.

Whether you need washer repair, stove repair, or anything in between, our process is simple and streamlined:

Schedule your service call

We work with your busy schedule to get you the service you need.

Technician Diagnoses

Your factory-trained technician will travel to your location and diagnose your appliance problem.

Quote & Repair

We'll itemize the time and parts necessary to get your appliance back in action and get it repaired ASAP.

We support all major brands and appliances, handling extended service warranty agreements for Lowe's, Home Depot, and other major brands. When you contact us, we strive to provide an engaging, positive experience. It all begins with a friendly smile from our office staff and hard work from our licensed and insured technicians.

Here are just a few of the most common appliance problems we solve every day:

Keep Dishes Fresh & Clean with Dishwasher Repair in La Grange, CA

If you've got a gray hair or two, you may remember when washing dishes by hand was the only option. It was a long, involved process that took lots of time. Today, most families use their dishwasher to do the cleaning for them. Dishwashers are a huge boon for working families and save us all time that we can dedicate to our loved ones. Despite improvements in technology, it's common for dishwashers to break down or fail without notice.

When your dishwasher is on the fritz, it becomes a huge inconvenience, causing you to carve out time to handwash and dry your family's dishes. Because of their finicky nature, there could be several reasons why your dishwasher isn't performing, from leaks to unusually long wash cycles.

Regardless of the problem you have, our dishwasher repair technicians will diagnose your issue quickly and give you a fair estimate on repairs. That way, you don't have to waste time handwashing dishes when you already have a lot on your plate.

With years of factory training on many mainstream brands, makes, and models, there's no dishwasher repair situation we can't handle.

Common Signs You Need Dishwasher Repair in La Grange, CA

Curious when you might need to call Appliance Service Plus to diagnose your dishwasher malfunction? Keep an eye out for the following signs:

Clean Dishes Are Cool to Touch After Removing: For dishes to be germ-free and clean, you need hot, soapy water for washing. The FDA recommends using water that is approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be uncomfortable for handwashing but perfect for dishwashers. If you find that your dishes come out cold and clammy instead of hot and steamy, your dishwasher might need a new heating coil.

Dishwasher Isn't Draining Correctly: You'll know quickly if your dishwasher isn't draining properly because there will be a pool of water under your machine. If you're dealing with drainage problems, it could be due to a clogged drainage system or non-functioning pump.

Your Dishwasher is Leaking: This common problem can be caused by a damaged door gasket, loose valve, leaky dishwasher tub, or another issue. If you notice or hear signs of leaking, call our office ASAP.

Keep Food Cool and Crisp with Refrigerator Repair in La Grange, CA

Your refrigerator is easily one of the most important appliances in your kitchen - not just for convenience but for food safety as well. Without it, our food would spoil, and we would have to spend much more money on groceries.

At Appliance Service Plus, we know how crucial it is to have a fully-functioning refrigerator for day-to-day life. When your fridge decides to quit working, you need a trustworthy appliance repair company in La Grange for a quick fix. We know that a refrigerator or freezer breakdown is never convenient. For most families, it is the epitome of stress and hassle.

Fortunately, our team of expert fridge repair technicians is here to step in so you can get back to a normal life. Like all our appliance repair services, it's our goal to give you A++ service. We will offer you an honest, fair estimate on your dishwasher repair. Once we know the scope of repair work, your technician will get to work with laser focus, making for a quick yet effective fix.

Like dishwashers, refrigerator repairs are one of our most-requested repair services. If you're unsure if your refrigerator needs repairs, keep an eye out for these warning signs:

Common Signs You Need Refrigerator Repair in La Grange, CA

Spoiled Food: The whole point of putting your food in the refrigerator is so it doesn't spoil. So, if you notice your food spoiling prematurely, it's a telltale sign you need appliance repair for your refrigerator. Due to the nature of these repairs, it's important to hire a licensed repair technician from Appliance Service Plus to repair the root cause of your problem.

Loud Humming and Vibrating Noises: Low-level vibrating and humming sounds are not uncommon for refrigerators. Despite popular belief, these noises are a normal part of its operation. However, these noises should not be very loud. If you hear unusually noisy knocking, vibrating, or humming, you could have a problem on your hands. Whether it's a faulty compressor or a blocked condenser fan, our team will diagnose the problem and get to work on a long-term fix.

Water on Floor Underneath Fridge: Finding a pool of water under your fridge is a big problem. Not just for the health of your appliance, but for water leaking into your home. Typically, leaks are caused by trapped condensation due to clogged hoses or pipes. You'll need an experienced refrigerator repair tech in La Grange to clear blockages and ultimately solve your leaky fridge issue.

Keep on Cooking with Stove Repair in La Grange, CA

Like your dishwasher and refrigerator, your stove and range are appliances you need to work, every day. From home-cooked meals on weeknights to large holiday feasts, family bonding time at the dinner table begins and ends with your stove. But just like with any home appliances, stoves aren't exempt from wear and tear. At some point, your stove will show signs of damage and will eventually break down. When ranges and stoves are out of order, it can create chaos in your household, making you resort to unhealthy takeout or fast food.

And while you might be tempted to try a DIY fix on your stove, these devices can be dangerous to fix without training. To make matters more difficult, doing the research and ordering the parts can be time-intensive. If you don't know the correct part or how to install it, you could end up with more damage than you expected. That's where our factory-trained stove repair technicians jump in to help.

If your gas or electric stove needs repairing, give us a call. Let us help you replace those oven coils, burners, and sensors, so you don't end up in the hospital. Before you know it, you'll have a normal, fully-functional kitchen back in place.

Not sure if you need to call in the pros? Check regularly for these red flags.

Common Signs You Need Range or Stove Repair in La Grange, CA

Stove Door Won't Close: It might seem minor on the surface, but when your stove door doesn't close, you can't cook your food. Chances are you need a licensed stove repair technician to refit or replace the hinges on the door, so you can keep churning out casseroles.Unusual Cooking Times

Unusual Cooking Times: Are your grandma's time-tested recipes coming out undercooked? Have you had to change cooking times because your stove is acting up? Unusual differences in cooking times are signs that your stove needs professional appliance repair.Electrical Problems

Electrical Problems: If you have an electric stove and notice that it cuts off during cooking or won't turn on at all, it's probably due for repair. Like gas, electrical problems are best remedied by professionals, like those you'll find at Appliance Service Plus.nine

Your Top Choice for Expert Appliance Repair in La Grange, CA

Whatever appliance repair issue you're stressed over, there's no problem too big or small for our team to handle. At Appliance Service Plus, we offer a total package of quality service, fair prices, friendly customer service, and effective fixes. Unlike some appliance companies in La Grange, our technicians are trained rigorously and undergo extensive background checks. We work with all major appliances and are capable of GE appliance repair, Maytag appliance repair, Frigidaire appliance repair, and more.

New and repeat customers choose Appliance Repair Plus because we offer:

Over 50 Years of Combined Appliance Repair Experience
Quick Service and Effective Results
Warranties on Parts and Labor
Friendly, Helpful Customer Service
Licensed & Insured Work
Vetted, Tested, Factory Trained Technicians
Contact Us
Mobile Service. We Come Right to Your Front Door!

Whether you need an emergency repair for your clothes washer or need routine maintenance for your dishwasher, we're here to exceed your expectations - no if's, and's, or but's.

Contact Us

Water Polo Worlds: Seven Americans from Gold-Winning Tokyo Squad Words-Bound

Water Polo Worlds: Seven Americans from Gold-Winning Tokyo Squad Words-BoundThe U.S. women’s water polo team that will take on the 2022 FINA World Championships starting Monday features seven members from the Tokyo gold medal squad.Most of the headliners from the three-time reigning Olympic gold medalists are there...

Water Polo Worlds: Seven Americans from Gold-Winning Tokyo Squad Words-Bound

The U.S. women’s water polo team that will take on the 2022 FINA World Championships starting Monday features seven members from the Tokyo gold medal squad.

Most of the headliners from the three-time reigning Olympic gold medalists are there. That includes the Most Outstanding Goalie from the Tokyo Games, Ashleigh Johnson, Tokyo MVP Maddie Musselman and Rio Olympics MVP Maggie Steffens. Other stalwarts include Rachel Fattal, Stephania Haralabidis, Amanda Longan and Kaleigh Gilchrist. Jordan Raney was part of the 2019 Worlds-winning team.

The U.S. begins play Monday in Debrecen, Hungary, opening with South Africa. They are in Group B along with Netherlands and Argentina. The crossover round starts June 26, with the quarterfinals June 28 and finals on July 2.

Absent are the Fischer sisters, Aria Fischer and Makenzie Fisher, the latter of whom won the Cutino Award last month.

The American women won the title at the 2019 Worlds in Gwangju, their sixth overall title and third straight. The U.S. has medaled at seven of the last nine editions, dating to 2003.

The men’s team carries over eight players from the squad that finished sixth in Tokyo. That includes the NYAC core of Alex Bowen, Hannes Daube, Max Irving and Ben Stevenson. Other Tokyo participants include Ben Hallock, Drew Holland, Marko Vavic and Dylan Woodhead.

The men open the tournament in Szeged, Hungary, Tuesday by taking on powerhouse Serbia. The U.S. is drawn into Group D with Australia and Kazakhstan. The crossover round is June 27 with the final on July 3.

The U.S. men are chasing their first ever Worlds medal, finishing fourth on three occasions (1986, 1991, 2009). The U.S. finished ninth at the 2019 tournament in Gwangju.

U.S. Women’s Water Polo Worlds Roster (Hometown/College/USAWP Club)

U.S. Men’s Water Polo Worlds Roster (Hometown/College/USAWP Club)

*Tokyo Olympian

U.S. women’s water polo Worlds schedule

(All times PT)

U.S. men’s water polo Worlds schedule

Four Contestants to Compete for Miss California Rodeo Salinas Title

SALINAS, CA – Miss California Rodeo Salinas is a year-round ambassador for the California Rodeo Salinas who travels to rodeos, parades, and other community events to promote the largest rodeo in California. The competition consists of personality and appearance, scholarship, and scholastic contests. Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2021 Emily Cullins will pass the title along to one of the following ...

SALINAS, CA – Miss California Rodeo Salinas is a year-round ambassador for the California Rodeo Salinas who travels to rodeos, parades, and other community events to promote the largest rodeo in California. The competition consists of personality and appearance, scholarship, and scholastic contests. Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2021 Emily Cullins will pass the title along to one of the following contestants: Mayson Bothwell, Miss La Grange Rodeo Princess, Rose Escobar, Miss Salinas Valley Wine Country Pro Rodeo, Macee Nunes, Miss West Hills College Rodeo, or Chelsea Rogell, Miss California Gymkhana Association District 14.

The 2022 contest, presented by Holiday Inn Express & Suites, begins on Thursday, July 7th and concludes on Saturday, July 9th; the winner will be announced before noon at the awards ceremony on the Mike Storm Director’s Patio at the Salinas Sports Complex. The winner will receive a $3000 cash scholarship to be used at the college of her choice, a gold and silver trophy belt buckle and tiara, the use of a two-horse trailer for one year and many other gifts. “We look forward to meeting each contestant. The unique and individual character of each contestant plays a part in the long-written history of the Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest,” said Laurie LaVelle, Director of the Miss California Rodeo Salinas Committee.

A schedule and other contest details can be found at: www.carodeo.com/p/about-us/mcrs/2022-miss-california-rodeo-salinas-contest along with contestant photos. Contact Mandy Linquist (mlinquist@carodeo.com) for high resolution photos. Biographies for each contestant are below.

Mayson Bothwell – Miss La Grange Rodeo Princess

From a fifth generation California family, Mayson Bothwell hails originally from Livermore but now lives near King City. This current student at Cuesta College is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business with the goal of becoming a Cattle Brand Inspector. Previously a member of the Future Farmers of America, she plans to continue being an advocate for the agricultural industry and to strive for the knowledge and understanding of what it will take to keep the industry strong.

Mayson stays busy preparing her horses for competitions in ranch riding and ranch trail with hopes to compete in reined cowhorse this year. She has competed in High School and Norcal Jr. Rodeo with many successes in the barrel racing event. In her spare time, Mayson enjoys the beautiful beaches of California, home projects, leather making and testing her green thumb in the garden.

Familiar with the responsibilities of a rodeo ambassador, Mayson is dedicated to educating the next generation of young cowboys and cowgirls. Grateful for her previous queen opportunities, she now looks forward to the new memories she will make while competing for the coveted titled of Miss California Rodeo Salinas.

Rose Escobar – Miss Salinas Valley Wine Country Pro Rodeo

Born and raised in the Salinas Valley, Rose Escobar has a passion for helping others in her community. As a Client Associate for a national investment manager, she plans on furthering her career by studying for certification as a Registered Client Associate. She also wants to help equine athletes feel and perform their best by receiving certification as an Acuscope Practitioner.

With a love for the western way of life Rose has competed in barrel races and ranch rodeos for the last 10 years. Being a member of the West Coast Barrel Racing Association, she has qualified and competed in the finals several times with many accomplishments. In her free time, Rose volunteers at the Salinas Valley Fair and King City Stampede Board; she is proud to give back to the committees that do so much for the community.

While holding the queen title for the newest rodeo in the PRCA California Circuit, Rose has traveled the state representing the rodeo. Her love for the western way of life and her childhood dreams of holding the title of Miss California Rodeo Salinas give her the drive to compete in this contest.

Macee Nunes – Miss West Hills College Rodeo

Macee Nunes of Prather is a proud fourth generation Californian continuing a long family history in horses and in ranching traditions. With goals of becoming a large animal veterinarian, Macee is currently a student at West Hills College. Her future academic plans include studying at a four-year university for pre-veterinary medicine and then attending veterinary school.

With many animals under her care, Macee is involved in the training, exercise and competition of her family’s bucking bulls at PBR events. She also spends lots of time riding and practicing with her horses. Having qualified and competed at many top barrel racing events and championships across the nation, she now competes on the West Hills College Rodeo Team for the NIRA West Coast Region. An all-around animal lover, she fosters dogs for local animal shelters and recently adopted a dog named Charlie.

Macee wants to use her knowledge of rodeo and her western heritage to help promote the sport of rodeo. She recognizes the prestige and tradition that is synonymous to the Salinas Rodeo and is excited for the opportunity to compete for the title of Miss California Rodeo.

Chelsea Rogell – Miss California Gymkhana Association District 14

Just like her new favorite painting inspiration, Chelsea Rogell of Creston is spreading her wings to fly like a butterfly. She has chosen to further her studies in Agriculture Business at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in addition to minoring in Art and Design.

Chelsea has found happiness and inclusivity while competing in rodeo events throughout her life. She credits this gained confidence to the many rodeo organizations she was a part of throughout her youth including WCJRA, NBHA, CHSRA and more. She has achieved many awards for competition from these associations as well as academic honors. In high school she joined Future Farmers of America taking on public speaking contests and showing animals. In addition, she took on leadership roles, including chapter president and regional officer, where she helped students find confidence within themselves.

Rodeo has shown Chelsea a way to give back to her local communities as an ambassador spreading awareness about the rodeo industry. Annually she partakes in a local agricultural day where she teaches students to rope. Chelsea enters our contest with the hopes of becoming the official ambassador of the California Rodeo as Miss California Rodeo.

About California Rodeo Salinas The California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 21st-24th, 2022. The California Rodeo Association is a not-for-profit organization that strives to preserve and promote the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the West. We support the community and other non-profit organizations through the staging of the annual California Rodeo Salinas and other year-round operations of the Salinas Sports Complex. Through donation of our facility, vending and fundraising opportunities during Rodeo and other events, the California Rodeo Association returns over $500,000 annually to local non-profits. For more information about the California Rodeo Salinas, log on to www.CARodeo.com or call the California Rodeo Office at 831-775.3100. ‘Like’ the California Rodeo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CARodeoSalinas or follow us on twitter @CaliforniaRodeo for updates, photos and more.

Rosters Announced For USA Men & Women Ahead Of FINA Intercontinental Cup In Peru

LIVE STREAMING - *GAMETIMES UPDATED BELOW*Irvine, CA – February 28 – The USA Water Polo Men's & Women's National Teams return to major competition next week in Lima, Peru at the upcoming FINA Intercontinental Cup. It's the first tournament for both teams since the Tokyo Olympic Games last summer. The action begins on March 7 in the same city where both teams claimed gold at the 2019 Pan American Games. The event serves as a qualifier for th...

LIVE STREAMING - *GAMETIMES UPDATED BELOW*

Irvine, CA – February 28 – The USA Water Polo Men's & Women's National Teams return to major competition next week in Lima, Peru at the upcoming FINA Intercontinental Cup. It's the first tournament for both teams since the Tokyo Olympic Games last summer. The action begins on March 7 in the same city where both teams claimed gold at the 2019 Pan American Games. The event serves as a qualifier for the upcoming FINA World League Super Final with the top four teams securing spots for the event later this year.

Due to club commitments in addition to the ongoing women's collegiate season, the rosters will feature a mixture of returning veterans and pipeline athletes. Men's Senior National Team Head Coach Dejan Udovicic has selected 15 athletes featuring four members of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic roster including Hannes Daube, Drew Holland, Ben Stevenson and Dylan Woodhead. Longtime pipeline National Team Head Coach Ethan Damato will lead the women's squad anchored by Olympic gold medalist Amanda Longan and a host of rising talent across the high school ranks.

See below for complete rosters and schedules. Live streaming will be available via the FINA YouTube page by clicking here.

USA Water Polo Men's National Team Tyler Abramson (Orinda, CA/Stanford/Stanford WPF) Evan Cain (Riverside, CA/Long Beach State/SOCAL) Hannes Daube (Long Beach, CA/USC/NYAC) Chase Dodd (Long Beach, CA/UCLA/Vanguard) Thomas Dunstan (New Canaan, CT/USC/Regency) Jake Ehrhardt (Camarillo, CA/USC/Pride) Matt Farmer (La Grange, IL/UCLA/Windy City WP) Tommy Gruwell (San Diego, CA/UCLA/LAWPC) Drew Holland (Orinda, CA/Stanford/Olympic Club) Benjamin Liechty (Newport Beach, CA/Newport Harbor HS/Newport Beach Water Polo) Sawyer Rhodes (Santa Barbara, CA/UCSB/NYAC) Ben Stevenson (Reno, NV/Pacific/NYAC) Adrian Weinberg (Oak Park, CA/California/Pride) Dylan Woodhead (San Anselmo, CA/Stanford/SHAQ) Quinn Woodhead (San Anselmo, CA/Stanford/SHAQ)

Staff Head Coach: Dejan Udovicic Assistant Coaches: Gavin Arroyo and Brian Flacks Team Manager: Lori Verdegaal Sports Medicine Manager: Chris Bates Video Coordinator: Balsa Nikolic Team Doctor: David Gazzaniga

USA Water Polo Women's National Team Emily Ausmus (Riverside, CA/ML King HS/SOCAL) Julia Bonaguidi (La Jolla, CA/The Bishop's School/San Diego Shores) Christine Carpenter (Yucaipa, CA/Yucaipa HS/CHAWP Jenna Flynn (San Jose, CA/Leland HS/San Jose/Almaden Water Polo) Rachel Gazzaniga (Orange, CA/Orange Lutheran HS/North Irvine Water Polo) Margaret Hawkins (Moraga, CA/Campolindo HS/Lamorinda) Ava Knepper (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach HS/SET) Amanda Longan (Moorpark, CA/USC/NYAC) Morgan Netherton (Newport Beach, CA/Newport Harbor HS/Newport Beach Water Polo) Anna Pearson (Irvine, CA/Orange Lutheran HS/North Irvine Water Polo) Genoa Rossi (Laguna Beach, CA/Mater Dei HS/Vanguard) Taylor Smith (Newport Beach, CA/Newport Harbor HS/Newport Beach Water Polo) Ava Stryker (Santa Barbara, CA/San Marcos HS/Santa Barbara 805) Ella Woodhead (San Anselmo, CA/Sacred Heart Prep/Stanford WPF/SHAQ)

Staff Head Coach: Ethan Damato Assistant Coaches: Molly Cahill and Andrew Silva Team Manager: Lori Verdegaal Sports Medicine Manager: Larnie Boquiren Team Doctor: Wazim Buksh

USA Women's National Team Schedule – FINA Intercontinental Cup - *UPDATED* March 7 vs Colombia 9:30am pt March 8 vs Cuba 6:30am pt March 9 vs Brazil 6:30am pt March 10 vs Argentina 8:00am pt March 11 vs Canada 8:00am pt March 13 vs Australia 8:30am pt

USA Men's National Team Schedule – FINA Intercontinental Cup *UPDATED* March 7 vs Canada 4:00pm pt March 8 vs Brazil 2:30pm pt March 9 vs Colombia 1:00pm pt March 10 vs Argentina 1:00pm pt March 11 vs Australia 4:00pm pt March 12 vs TBD (Semifinals) March 13 vs TBD (Finals)

Players Mentioned

Alberta extending winter break for K-12 students as Omicron spreads

Alberta students in kindergarten to Grade 12 will have an extended winter break as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the province, fuelled by the highly contagious Omicron variant.Classes will resume Jan. 10, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange told a news conference Thursday evening.But decisions on whether students will learn in class or at home have not been made yet."More information on next steps related to whether students will learn in class or at home beginning Jan. 10 will be communicated late next week,&q...

Alberta students in kindergarten to Grade 12 will have an extended winter break as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the province, fuelled by the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Classes will resume Jan. 10, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange told a news conference Thursday evening.

But decisions on whether students will learn in class or at home have not been made yet.

"More information on next steps related to whether students will learn in class or at home beginning Jan. 10 will be communicated late next week," the government said in a news release.

"The decision will be evidence-based using operational information provided by school authorities, case information and other available health data."

School was to begin in Edmonton and Calgary on Jan. 3 or Jan. 4, depending on the board.

LaGrange said she wanted to share the updated school plan as soon as possible. She said she left a meeting of the province's COVID cabinet committee with Premier Jason Kenney to make the announcement.

"I'm confident that this additional time to plan will position school authorities for a successful startup," she said.

Education leaders told her they needed more time to assess the COVID-19 situation, she said.

"Schools are expecting a high number of student absences, making it harder for teachers to manage in-person and at-home learning at the same time, and with students and staff still on holidays it's very hard for anyone at this time to fully assess what the situation for schools may look like," she said.

School authorities will use the extra time to prepare potential in-person and at-home learning scenarios, the province said in the news release.

January diploma exams, which were set to begin on Jan. 11, have been cancelled, LaGrange said. The province has not yet made a decision about April and June diploma exams.

There were 23 schools with active cases before the break, though there isn't a "clear line of sight" on the current numbers, LaGrange said.

Knowing the exact number is more difficult with many testing positive on rapid tests that aren't reflected in the province's COVID-19 numbers, she said, but the province expects to have a clearer picture next week.

Rapid test kits, medical masks

The province will also be providing an additional 8.6 million rapid tests for students and staff, LaGrange said — enough to supply two five-test kits to each student and staff member in Alberta's education system.

The province has also offered 16.5 million medical-grade masks for staff and students for the return to in-person learning.

LaGrange said she knows Thursday's announcement does not give a lot of notice for parents, but the province's COVID situation is changing quickly.

"I know that parents have been amazing throughout this whole pandemic, knowing that we have had to be nimble and they also want to ensure that their children are safe," she said.

LaGrange said she will provide another update late next week, which will include more information on mask and rapid test distribution. More information is available at alberta.ca/returntoschool.

LaGrange said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, will provide more information on the fast evolving Omicron situation at a news conference Friday.

Several other provinces have delayed the return to class or moved to online learning, in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant.

There were an estimated 4,000 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Alberta on Thursday, shattering the previous daily record of 2,775 cases set on Wednesday.

Parents have worries

Fraser Porter, chairperson of Oliver School's parent council and mother of a student in Grade 2, told CBC she worries that next week the province will announce that classes will be moving online.

"Are we going to get another 5:30 p.m. conference a few days before, letting us know, 'Oh, by the way you're going to be online schooling for the rest of the year?'"

Porter said she was pleased to hear the province will be handing out rapid tests and better quality masks at schools, but she'd like to see improvements to air filtration and smaller class sizes to further address the spread of COVID-19.

NDP deputy leader Sarah Hoffman said the Opposition was glad to see the delay, but the government doesn't have a plan to keep students safe.

"Still, we don't have a plan," she said in a news release. "Nothing of the sort. We need to properly staff schools. This government has failed to do this every step of the way during the pandemic."

The Opposition is also calling for N95 masks for teachers, improved air filtration and helping families pay for at-home learning resources.

With files from Paige Parsons

Alberta students will return to in-school learning Jan. 10, education minister says

Alberta students in kindergarten to Grade 12 will return to their classrooms on Jan. 10 after an extended holiday break, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said Wednesday.On Dec. 30, the province had announced it was delaying the post-holiday reopening of schools province-wide after boards requested more time to assess the impact of the new Omicron variant in the classroom.Winter break for K-12 students was extended to Jan. 10, but the government said it had not made decisions on whether students will be learning in class or a...

Alberta students in kindergarten to Grade 12 will return to their classrooms on Jan. 10 after an extended holiday break, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said Wednesday.

On Dec. 30, the province had announced it was delaying the post-holiday reopening of schools province-wide after boards requested more time to assess the impact of the new Omicron variant in the classroom.

Winter break for K-12 students was extended to Jan. 10, but the government said it had not made decisions on whether students will be learning in class or at home.

LaGrange said Wednesday that all students will return to learning in their classrooms.

"Over the past several days my team and I have continued to work closely with school authorities," LaGrange told a news conference. "I am extremely grateful for their input and I am so pleased to confirm that ECS (early childhood services) and kindergarten to Grade 12 students will return to classrooms on Jan. 10.

"Children who learn in person belong in the classroom and they will be there with the added safety of rapid tests and medical-grade masks."

Alberta Education Minister Adriana LaGrange says kids will return safely to school as planned on Jan. 10, and explains why the province made the decision.

The rapid tests and masks will be distributed to schools as "an added layer of protection to lower the risk of transmission of the Omicron variant," LaGrange said.

The government will begin distributing shipments of rapid tests and masks later this week and all schools will have their initial shipments by the end of next week. LaGrange said the shipments to schools will be in phases.

Students should wear masks, Hinshaw says

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, said there are no "risk-free solutions" but that she believes the province's approach is prudent.

"There is a very high transmission risk right now and I continue to advise that people do everything they can to minimize the number of close contacts they have," Hinshaw said.

"However, I also believe that if we were to shut schools across the entire province, we would be imposing much greater harm on all of those students by not allowing them the opportunity for in-school learning at this time."

She said the use of rapid testing, medical masks and other measures will help to protect students and staff.

"Given the current situation, I also want to note that I strongly recommend that students in all grades wear masks, including kindergarten to Grade 3," she said. "To keep the risk in schools low it will be critical for all of us to stay home and keep our children home if any of us have symptoms."

School authorities will have flexibility to shift a class or an individual grade to short-term at-home learning if needed to address operational challenges at a school, the province said in a news release.

K-12 students will return to the classroom on Jan. 10, where they can expect medical-grade masks and more frequent rapid tests as Omicron continues to set new records across the country.

Decisions on shifting entire schools or school authorities to at-home learning will continue to be made by the Alberta government, with input from school authorities, it said.

Online tutoring coming

LaGrange said free online-tutoring resources will be available starting next week for students in grades 4 to 9 who need to catch up on skills after falling behind due to the pandemic.

The tutoring resource will be launched with pre-recorded video tutoring sessions to improve students' literacy and numeracy skills. The province plans to expand the service later in the year to cover more grades and subjects and add live tutoring.

As of Wednesday, there were 470 people with COVID-19 in hospital in Alberta, up from 436 on Tuesday, with 72 of those patients in intensive care, 11 more than on Tuesday.

Hinshaw reported 11 new deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, and a test positivity of 36.9 per cent.

Positivity rates across the province are the highest since the beginning of the pandemic.

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