While School District 43 students with parental permission may participate in Friday’s global climate strike, SD43 is encouraging its teachers to discuss environmental issues and current events with those who remain behind.
In a letter to students and families Tuesday, superintendent Patricia Gartland said schools will remain open and staff and students are expected to attend. The strike and the UN Climate Action Summit being held in New York will likely be a topic of discussion raised by teachers.
But as they can for any other reason, parents and guardians can pull their children from school as long as they let the school know. If they do so, they should discuss with their teachers what class work may be missed, Gartland said in the letter.
“Supporting students to explore and learn about their passions is a priority for the school district and the district would never discourage students from exercising their freedom of expression and opinion, whether it be in the area of climate change or any other topic of importance to today’s youth,” Gartland wrote. “Our mission though is to ensure quality learning opportunities for all students of all ages and it is therefore imperative that the district be open and available to those families and students that wish to attend school on Friday.”
The district’s position is similar to ones announced by the Surrey and Vancouver school districts, although Vancouver Trustee Allan Wong is reported to have said at its board meeting Monday even those without permission slips from home will not be punished.
The two-page letter also detailed the district’s environmental initiatives, including its goal of making the new school planned for Burke Mountain “the greenest school in Canada.”
