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Vol. 11, No. 49, Tuesday, October 4, 2016 www.LamontLeader.com
MICHELLE PINON PHOTO
Members of the Chipman District Fire Department came on scene of a vehicle fire near the Village of Chipman just off Highway 15 at Township Road 545 last Wednesday evening around 6:40 p.m. While it was reported that a propane tank was in the back of the truck, the exact cause of the blaze has not yet been reported to Lamont County Emergency Services Commission.
Elk Island Public Schools halts international travel Michelle Pinon Editor
Any international travel plans have been officially grounded for students and staff with Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS). Both Lamont High School (LHS) and Ardrossan Junior Senior High School had trips planned abroad this school year, but have had their requests denied due to safety concerns. In a statement from EIPS communications, “After much discussion with the division, superintendent
(Mark Liguori) decided to cancel international travel and sent a letter to parents and students on August 29 regarding the cancellation of school trips which indicated the following: •Recent events in Europe, combined with what occurred over the course of the past year lead to his (superintendent) decision to cancel all international field trips. •The decision was not made lightly nor without due consideration of a number of factors. We realize that there will be disappointed students,
EIPS Superintendent Mark Liguori parents and teachers, but student safety is our utmost concern. We cannot in good conscience or
with due regard to our fiduciary responsibilities, approve any field trips that have the potential to put any of our students or staff in harm’s way. •We have been diligently working with the tour company and they have been very accommodating of our decision. Between the tour company and EIPS, all families will be receiving a full refund of the amounts paid by them. According to EIPS there were approximately 20 families in each of the schools who received full refunds. Initally,
LHS was offering a trip to Germany and Switzerland during Spring Break 2017. In the case of Lamont High School, another trip, called the Canadian Heritage Tour has been arranged for students who are interested in travelling to Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City during Spring Break 2017. During a recent travel club meeting at LHS teacher Asha Ram said three students have registered for the nine day trip which is slated to take place between March 24 to April 2.
The question of safety within our borders was also broached, EIPS responded by stating: “As for safety in Canada, we have a greater ability to respond quickly to adverse incidents within our own country; whether it’s a matter of transporting students or calling on other school districts across the country for assistance, we are able to render aid and remove students from a potentially dangerous situation with much greater ease if they are within our national borders.”