Highlights from Monday’s Flin Flon school board meeting:
Safety concerns
Superintendent Blaine Veitch discussed concerns over Ruth Betts Com-munity School students crossing Ross Street from the Duck Pond area while walking to and from school.
The school only provides crossing guards in areas with pedestrian crossing signs, he said, and while school administration has asked students not to cross in that area, it is a difficult situation to manage.
Veitch suggested the matter be discussed with the City of Flin Flon Traffic Commission, on which the school division
has representation. Trustees obliged.
Ad policy
Trustees served notice of a proposed new policy to cover advertising in the schools.
The proposed policy states in part that the school division “shall allow the use of certain programs, products or services from private sources which support and enrich a student’s educational program but in no way subject students and their families to undue influence from commercial, cultural, political or religious organizations.”
Additionally, “All programs, products or services offered to the Division by a private source for use in the schools shall be reviewed and approved in accordance with this policy prior to any use by the students or staff of the Flin Flon School Division.”
The proposed policy also states, “Corporate involvement shall not require students to observe, listen to, or read commercial advertising.”
Accessibility concerns
Trustees reviewed a letter from Hapnot Collegiate students expressing concern over the lack of wheelchair ramps around the school.
“If someone in a wheelchair (a student or a guest) comes to our school they would have to enter through the basement side door,” reads the letter, signed by members of the Grade 9 social studies class. “We feel that this is discriminatory, inconvenient and does not value all people equally.”
Trustees also reviewed a response sent to the students by Veitch.
“I can reassure you that the Flin Flon School Board shares your concerns and has made application through the Department of Education (Public Schools Finance Branch) to access funding in order to make the necessary changes to the building,” wrote Veitch, adding that it is “unfortunate” that Hapnot was built in the 1960s and that little consideration was given to access needs for people with disabilities.
Good work!
Veitch congratulated Hapnot students on participating in the recent 30-Hour Famine.
Together they raised over $1,550 for the campaign, whose slogan is “Go hungry to help hungry kids.”
Veitch also mentioned that Hapnot Student Council raised over $400 at a recent craft and bake sale, and raffle.
Those funds will be donated to the Children’s Year of Empowerment campaign, which helps families in developing countries purchase goats and learn to sustain themselves.
The event included a skateboard and bike competition at the Flin Flon Skatepark near Hapnot.
