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Fiasco in schools

Mr. Godbout, it has been suggested for an email to be sent to you regarding the bombshell that School District 57 threw at parents, children, teachers and school staff last week.
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Mr. Godbout, it has been suggested for an email to be sent to you regarding the bombshell that School District 57 threw at parents, children, teachers and school staff last week. All people involved were shocked at the announcement of reshuffling classes to such a degree with the loss of so many classes and the danger it now means we all face.

Not only does this put families’ safety in danger, how can professionals who say that they have children’s interests at heart think that more change and lack of stability at this already unsure time in history is mentally healthy? Those that made these decisions may want to consider further education themselves as these actions speak loudly that they are unaware or deeply out of touch with the reality of child mental health. 

To reduce the amount of classes by reducing the amount of teachers in this district is in complete contradiction of what the health ministry has been spouting for over 6 months.  Now is not the time for bigger class size and saving money on teacher salaries is not a reason to put our children and families at risk, so why did many teacher in District 57 just lose their classroom jobs? There was funding announced by federal and provincial governments to make sure the extra support was there to ensure our children’s health and safety. What have they done with the funding if not putting towards what it was announced to be for?

Along with the impact emotionally, many teachers were also forced into an impossible task of preparing to teach a whole different grade over a weekend. They original grades they were assigned, they had a whole summer to prepare and now a teacher who was for a grade 4/5 class has the weekend to prepare for a 6/7 class. How is that fair to the teachers who already work tirelessly to ensure our children are secure in learning? These are the tasks that this school district forces on their staff without a second thought.

Anita Richardson and School District 57 must do the right thing for the children they state they care for so much. 

If this situation is not resolved, it means the current district management is incapable and must therefore resign to allow those who are aware on how health and safety works to step up.

There is hope that you could do some more investigating, similar to what you accomplished with the city, and help the parents, children, teachers and school staff of District 57. Help our voice be louder as this School District, through their actions, seem to think we don’t deserve to have one.

Tamara Johnston

Prince George