6 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021
EIPS board hears passionate pleas at meeting BY JANA SEMENIUK Parents gave passionate pleas during the Aug. 26 Elk Island Public School Board meeting both for and against the most recent mask mandate for back to school, implemented as a means of protecting children from COVID-19. As of Sept. 1, all Kindergarten to grade six students, must wear masks at school as well as ages 12 – 19 if their rate of vaccination is below 70 per cent. “While not all families support the continued mask mandate, the Board had to weigh the risks for students, staff and family members, and consider how many students are either ineligible for the vaccine or are not vaccinated in the communities in which the Division operates,” said a statement issued to parents from EIPS by email on Aug. 18. One parent who spoke at the Aug. 26 meeting, and does not support the mask mandate, is mother of three Courtney Liddle. Liddle, who is also a teacher, contends that daily use of masks has a negative effect on many children. “After receiving a high volume of stories from
parents, grandparents and staff members, I can say with confidence that there are many students here in Elk Island Public Schools who have experienced negative physical and psychological effects, including anxiety, migraines, ear aches, depression, rashes, breathing difficulties, and even in one instance lung infections leading to permanent asthma, among other ailments correlated with daily mask use,” she said. In addition to physical effects, Liddle said the impacts were also social. “We also need to consider the social impacts. I have heard devastating stories and cried with parents. While masks can make some students feel safe or protected and I respect that very much, others are really struggling,” she said. “I've heard stories of kindergarteners not being able to make friends because they have difficulty communicating with peers. Students crying in their seat unnoticed because their tears are falling into their masks. Children being scolded for trying to take a drink or steal a breath of fresh air. There are instances of medically exempt students being
severely segregated and treated with contempt.” Liddle concluded that masks should remain optional. “The only way to meet all of the needs of the students is to provide them a choice,” she said. Another parent of two children, D’Arcy Vermette, a professor with the faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta, spoke out in favour of the masking mandate. “While schools have a vested interest in providing a safe learning environment without a vaccine mandate, schools have no control over how quickly their eligible students can get vaccinated and even less control over how quickly ineligible students will be able to get vaccinated. However, the science also shows us repeatedly that proper fitting masks protect both the wearer and those around them,” he said. Vermette said that without the mask mandate children would be at risk. “Removing or not deploying a mask mandate necessarily means that we are sanctioning the transmission of disease within schools. To
VILLAGE OF CHIPMAN Public Works Employment Opportunity The Village of Chipman is accepting applications for a Public Works Personnel. Duties involve all aspects of Village Operations including operation of heavy equipment. Under the direction of the Village Foreman, will assist with various maintenance activities on and roads, water and sewer utilities and all municipal facilities including buildings, grounds and equipment. QUALIFITICATIONS: • Experience operating and maintaining equipment • Preferably Class 3 Drivers license with air endorsement • Experience dealing with the public and able to effectively manage multiple tasks • Willingness to take courses as required • Wages based on qualifications. Please submit your resume to: The Village of Chipman P.O. Box 176 Chipman, AB T0B 0W0 Fax: (780) 363-2386 Email: chipmanab@mcsnet.ca Applications will be received until a suitable candidate is selected. Only Candidates who most closely fit our needs will be contacted for interview.
not have a mandate is to dehumanize children. This is done by arguing that COVID is no different from the flu. It's very different. Dehumanization is done by arguing that kids don't get sick with COVID. This is false,” he said. Vermette concluded that a mask mandate was the best decision. “Children don't deserve to be neglected at school and that is why I applaud the creation of a mask mandate for K to six and implore the board to keep that mandate, at least until such a time that most school aged children have been fully vaccinated,” he said. Meanwhile, a number of parents have written emails to the Minister of Education, Adriana LaGrange complaining about mandatory masking. During a press conference Aug. 13, Chief Medical Officer Deena Hinshaw noted that masking would be optional for children in
the upcoming school year, however LaGrange added that school divisions would be left to decide for themselves. Nicole Sparrow, press secretary for the minister, commented on the situation by email. “If school authorities decide to go beyond the expert medical advice of the Chief Medical Office of Health, part of their accountability to their communities is to explain why this is necessary in their local contexts. Trustees are ultimately accountable to their constituents,” she said. Alberta’s Minister of
Justice and Solicitor General Kaycee Madu, also had some words for parents opposing the mask mandates. “Politically speaking, I would say this; parents have an important role to play in the education of their children. And they should make their voices heard on this particular issue with that school board,” he said during a short interview Aug. 26. In their statement to parents Aug. 18, EIPS said the decision for masking mandates would be revisited on or before Jan. 20, 2022.
STOLEN DUCKS To the person or persons who stole the ducks, bring them back immediately or the RCMP will be notified!
YOU SHOULD HAVE SMILED YOU WERE ON CAMERA!
PUBLIC NOTICE Brandon Dey WATER ACT NOTICE OF APPLICATION Notice is given that Brandon Dey has filed an application under the provisions of the Water Act for a Licence for 2292 m3 annually from a well with a production interval of 50 – 70 feet below ground level located at NW 16 057-17-W4 for the purposes of stock watering. Any person who is directly affected by this application may submit a written statement of concern to within 30 days of the date of this notice to: Environment and Parks Regulatory Approvals Centre 5th Floor, South Petroleum Plaza 9915 108 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2G8 Phone: 780-427-6311 Fax: 780-422-0154 Email: aep.waapplications@gov.ab.ca The written statement of concern should include the following: • the application number: 001-00477032 • describe concerns that are relevant to matters regulated by the Water Act • explain how the filer of the concern will be directly affected by the activity and/or diversion of water proposed in the application • provide the legal land location of the land owned or used by the filer where the concerns described are believed to be applicable • state the distance between the land owned or used by the filer and the site in the application • contact information including the full name and mailing address of the filer. Please provide the telephone number and/or email address for ease of contact. Environment and Parks will review each written statement of concern, seek more information if needed, and notify each filer by letter of the decision to accept or reject their written submission as a valid statement of concern. The Public Notice of this application will also be posted on the Department’s website at: https://avw.alberta.ca/PublicNoticesViewer.aspx Please quote file number: 00477032 Statements of concern submitted regarding this application are public records which are accessible by the public and the applicant. Failure to file a statement of concern may affect the right to file a Notice of Appeal with the Environmental Appeals Board. Copies of the application and additional information can be obtained from: Brandon Dey PO Box 132 Andrew, AB T0B 0C0 Phone: 780-887-4049
