OPINION: Independent schools

4 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Opinion

The Battle River School Division is looking to shut down schools in Hardisty, Round Hill, and Holden to save money, as the viability of public schools seems dependent solely on enrollment in this day and age. Just last year, Elk Island Public Schools shut down the Andrew High School, leaving the older students with long bus rides, and to arrive as strangers at new schools in Vegreville or Lamont.

It’s a story told in rural Alberta, over and over again. But should it be? I guess that depends if our educational system is considered an essential service like health care, policing, or emergency rescue personnel.

Certainly in a society with the wealth we enjoy, there is give and take so that no matter where you live there is an entitlement to essential services. In some places, massive revenues can be enjoyed, while in others sometimes losses. It averages out. That’s what we do in a society, and we do it because of compassion.

Closing schools doesn’t mean children aren’t still provided with their education. They are. In fact, the children and teachers are sent to larger schools, usually with better facilities and opportunities.

But the move isn’t all for the children’s betterment. If it were, would we have public meetings filled with angry parents and community leaders trying to change the mind of school boards?

There doesn’t seem to be the same compassion as in other essential services when the school board bean-counters decide to board up rural schools. In that sense it isn’t treated essential at all.

Rural schools are public gathering places. They’re where parents go to cheer on their children playing sports. It’s the first place where people develop a sense of pride in their rural community.

Rural schools are where teachers and parents know one another. They are places where parents recognize other parents’ children, and watch out for them. Quiet, shy, unassuming children don’t get lost and engulfed in the mass of student bodies in rural schools.

Rural schools are where friends are made, sometimes lifelong friends. In rural schools, often the same children have been clinging to one another for friendship and support since the days when they had to get on their tiptoes to take a drink from the water fountain. Suddenly separating these children from the tight bond and convenience of their local rural schools, and subjecting them to sometimes a couple of hours a day riding the yellow shaker seems contrary to the productive routines we otherwise implore upon children. Most people realize that when a school board has announced possible closures and have set up public meetings, it is just to appease the critics. They have no intention to reverse their course of action.

Ultimately, independent schooling might be best direction for rurals as public schools continue to centralize to larger cities.

In BC, a third of independent schools are located rurally. In Ontario, almost half of independent schools have less than 50 students and 75 percent have less than 150.

In Alberta, charter schools which operate independently of local school districts receive the same funding on a per-student-basis that is granted to local public schools. Is it the answer? Not sure. Are small rural schools essential? Darn tootin’. Kerry Anderson Independent schools may be the answer

Dear Editor This is a copy of the letter which was confiscated from the Religion Students. It was hand printed by our Religion Coordinator. To the Parents

Dear Parents, as you know the religion classes, Bible Studies and Catholic, are possibly going to be offered as a lunch and learn (during the lunch hour) or an extracurricular activity. We want to know if you are willing to support us by meeting on Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 pm at the Alliance Church. We would like to keep classes during school time.

Fr. Kris, our Catholic pastor, will be there as well as leaders from the Alliance Church. Yours Truly Bible Study and Catholic Teachers LETTERTO THE EDITOR Letter for Religion meeting confiscated Dear Editor:

Our support is with letters in your paper regarding Lamont Elementary school’s agenda, to remove religious studies from school. We have been told that if we continue voicing our opinion in this way, the school administration will not co-operate with us to negotiate their options. The two options they offered are teaching during lunch break or after school. Neither of the options are in the students’ best interests, because they need a lunch break for a balance of work/rest/play; nor is it financially practical to pay staff to stay after school or add travel costs to families, etc.

Unfortunately, the initial decision to remove the religious studies during class time was non-negotiable from the beginning. The religion instructors are volunteers. For the majority of the time, teachers’ aids provide support in the classroom while teachers can use the time for other preparations.

We wish to tell our community the truth of what happened on Thursday February 27, 2020.

Continued on Page 5 Quit submitting letters to the editor, or they won’t negotiate

5038 - 50 Avenue Box 1079, Lamont, AB T0B 2R0 Phone: 780-895-2780 Fax: 780-895-2705 Email: lmtleader@gmail.com Published every Wednesday at Lamont, AB Serving the Communities of Andrew, Bruderheim, Chipman, Hilliard, Lamont, Mundare, RR 4 Tofield, Star and St. Michael Subscription Rates: Local: $35.18 per year USA: $96.81 Overseas: $187.25 Call to find out about our ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS *Advertisements designed, set and produced by The Lamont Leader, as well as pictures, news, editorial content and other printed material are protected by copyright and may not be used without the permission of The Lamont Leader Available online at www.lamontleader.com and Facebook Circulation Aileen Bilodeau Sylvia McDonald Kerry Anderson Publisher John Mather Reporter Jana Semeniuk Reporter Crystal Inverarity Advertising Sales, Graphic Design We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

Dear Editor: (This is a letter I submitted to Lamont Elementary School administration).

We have received the letter about the changes the school has made involving the removal of the religion options (Catholic education and Bible studies), along with the health living option from class time.

First, we have not been alloted any say in regards to such an important topic. It’s our belief that any changes in an optional studies should be discussed first amontg the parents, students and school council. The critical fiscal realities that the school is facing is not caused nor is it affected entirely by just 30 minutes per week of Christian and Catholic religious instruction that is being offered to the students by volunteers. In addition it is our primary right to introduce such optional studies (section 17 the School Ordinance, 1901, c.29(NWT)-137,138).

Teaching Bible studies and Catholic education is very important to the growing mind of young students. They spend more time in school rather than with their parents at home. To disregard the teaching about God, as an irrelevant is a pitfall of all destruction, in every sector of human society. Although it is not compulsory, it is still the most important of all studies. These kinds of issues seem to be a chain of continuous arguments that cause dissension, leaving the parents and students with the question of who made the decision to remove this option without consensus, while other options are remaining.

The students need their lunch break to clear their heads and fill up their hunger. As we know, that food supports the functions of all body organs expecially the brain which they really need during the learning hours in school, we shouldn’t replace it for optional Christian studies. We have to be the real, ideal, and total example of doing the right decision when it comes to what is beneficial and important to the total well-being of these children. These children are our future. It’s our duty to help them become well-rounded and productive citizens of this country. A good citizen starts with a good teaching.

First, for a small few there were sensitivities towards Christmas decorations in our school, now the religious studies are being removed from class time. What is next? Why is it, when it comes to anything related to educating about God they don’t have time for that, but when it comes to anything evil they have all the laws and time to impose that? We are on the way to total destruction and authorites are welcoming it with no problem at all. Elena Alyward, Lamont That day, the Religion Instructors gave their students a note to invite parents to a meeting to discuss the future of the Religious Studies in the school. It was given only to those enrolled in the program. Because we have not previously been censored to handouts or invitations, we did not ask the principal for approval. After the notes were handed out, the teachers were instructed to confiscate them because the parents were not allowed to see them. This unfortunate incident was intimidating to children enrolled in religious studies. We heard of the emotional distress caused, when some students did not want to disobey their teacher but also wanted their parent to have the note. We heard of some children being unsure of which person to obey, or frightened of consequences from the teacher. It was confusing and frightening for them.

Religion classes teach our children to love their parents and to respect their teachers. It teaches peace, compassion and empathy. Unfortunately, the behaviors of that day showed discrimination to them. It was disrespectful to both the volunteers and students.

We do not want Christian students to be further hurt by restricting freedom of speech and freedom of religious culture. It was a difficult day to hear of those growing in their faith to be already singled out. At this point, the religion instructors are waiting for further direction. There are petitions in circulation and letters to MLA and Minister of Education being written, but we also need the community, parents and faith leaders to express their concerns. The mission statement for Lamont Elementary School is: "To provide the best possible quality instruction to students, and to support the values of the community it serves." Please continue to voice your opinion as this is your community. Regarding the note we sent out, we will still have the meeting, at Lamont Alliance Church, Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 pm. All parents, grandparents, community members and Faith Leader, wishing to support this cause are welcome to attend. The Christian Religious Studies Instructors; Mae Adamyk, Tom Adamyk, Darlene Kloster, Tim Kloster, Dennis Budney, Elaine Budney, Rose Twardowski, Deanna Kroeker, Michael Barter. Roman Catholic Church Cluster of Parishes of Our Lady of Angels Fort Saskatchewan ~ Roman Catholic Services ~ Lamont Auxiliary Chapel - Saturday Evenings 4:00 pm Our Lady of Good Counsel - Skaro 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays 8:30 am St. Michael the Archangel - St. Michael 2nd and 4th Sundays 8:30 am For further information please call O.L.A. Fort Saskatchewan 780-998-3288 Bethany Lutheran Church 20577 TWP 550 Fort. Sask. (7km East of Josephburg) 780-998-1874 Pastor Rev. Jeff Dul Worship Service 11:00 am Sunday School ( during service) Coffee after Service Lamont Alliance Church 44 St. & 50 Ave. 780-895-2879 Sunday Service 10 am Children's Church (Sunday school) All children, Age 3 to grade 6 are welcome. Nursery available during service Weekly youth events, all youth are invited to join us. Please leave message at church for information on any of the above. Check out: www.lamontalliance.com LAMONT UNITED CHURCH 5306 - 51 Ave., Lamont, AB 780-895-2145 Rev. Deborah Brill Sundays Worship Time 11:15am UCW hosting World Day of Prayer March 6th @ 2:00 pm ~ Everyone Welcome!~ AA Meetings Thursdays at 8:00 pm Orthodox V Parishes All services 9:30am, followed by DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 am unless otherwise indicated. March Sunday March 8 ~ Skaro Tone 5 ~ 1st Sun of Lent Orthodoxy Sunday Sunday March 15 ~ Mundare Tone 6 ~ 2nd Sun of Lent St. Gregory Palamus Visit our website: www.orthodox-canada.com

780-895-2780 Church Directory Ad $40/mo. Church Calendar Bruderheim Community Church Welcomes You !! Sunday Worship ~ 10:30 am Preschool Nursery & Children’s Church K ~ Gr. 4 provided. Pastor Wayne Larson 780-796-3775 Located at the corner of the 4 way stop in Bruderheim. admin@bruderheimcommunitychurch.org Check us out on Facebook NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS Estate of Jason Colin Hennig, who died February 3, 2020. If you have a claim against this Estate, you must file your claim by April 3, 2020. With Roland N. Fotty At Fotty Stevenson Wilson 10509-100 Avenue Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta T8L 1Z5 And provide details of your claim. If you do not file by the date above, the Estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have. Rose’s Electrolysis • Permanent Hair Removal Only• 5104 - 51 Ave. Mundare, AB. 780-293-2715 Letter: No letters Continued from Page 4 Letter to the editor: Why doesn’t school have time for God FORT SASKATCHEWAN, ALBERTA ABSOLUTE PUBLIC ONLINE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT AUCTION

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