Last week CBC News wrote a story about the one-day suspension served by a Lakes District Secondary School (LDSS) teacher.
The teacher was suspended after a game similar to kick the can went a little too far. She organized a year-end game last June in which the punishment for students who lost was to be sprayed with water from a hose in front of their classmates.
According to the consent resolution agreement, two students sustained injuries playing the game – one required six stitches and the other sprained his ankle.
Although CBC’s story was factual – as Lakes District News has verified the content of the consent resolution agreement issued by the Ministry of Education -, the tone of the story and the lack of different angles might have suggested this incident was more serious than it actually was.
I know that parents would like to think that their kids are safe in school, and that the last thing parents want is to get a call while they are at work saying their children got hurt in school. But isn’t playing, getting hurt and getting back out there just part of normal childhood?
But at the same time, there are many things that remain unclear – were conditions for this game safe? Was the floor slippery? Were children and parents notified in advance of this game?
To me, a game where you can spray your classmates with water sounds like a lot of fun. Yes, someone took it too far and two kids got hurt, but did this story deserve all the negative attention it has received?
I’m not too sure. I can’t help but wonder though – are we treating children as if they are too precious by not allowing them to make mistakes, learn and move on?
Lake Babine Nation Chief Wilf Adam, who has two daughters in this teacher’s class, has been supporting her.
“It sounded like what happened was very drastic,” he said. “I’m very supportive of the work of the drama class and I’m very dismayed at how the story unfolded.”
Chief Adam added that he heard from parents and students themselves that the game was voluntary. However, according to the consent resolution agreement, one student had asked to opt out of the game after losing the first round, but the teacher told the student she had to continue.
Although there are always two sides to every story, in this particular case the teacher has already served her punishment.
And although people might still disagree on this issue, what I think many will agree is this – this teacher has been doing a phenomenal work for our local school and this community has an immense respect for her.
In fact, I have already written an editorial saying how much I admire the work done at LDSS, including the high-quality performances and the Roots of Reconciliation project – all projects that are made possible thanks to this teacher.
