Discussions

So, my teen has received several texts from many friends/classmates today that there's a planned student and teacher walkout during period three tomorrow morning (Monday, Jan 17th) . Anyone else heard about this? From what he's been informed, it's something about "unsafe conditions" with regards to the handling of COVID spread and the lack of options for High School remote learning. I thought it was pretty stupid idea to walk out of class with the teachers, especially that exams start in a week and they're behind with the course. I also thought it was dumb to make a point about personal safety if you attend school for the first two periods, then walk out. I told him "it sounds like you're giving yourself an two hour lunch break along with your teachers". ...He just stared at me with a blank look on his face. I asked "who's organizing this? Students, teachers, parents?" ...He doesn't know. "Is this a local protest of our school division or against Manitoba Education or something that's Canada-wide?" ...Doesn't know, but thinks it's Nationwide. I told him policies differ from province to province, division to division and even between schools. ...Still the blank face. I ask "if there's anything like a protest rally being done outside or is there going to be any media planned during that time to send a message?" ...The blank face continues. So I asked "what's your point or message to our leaders? What do you want to have changed?" ...He replies "to make schools safer from COVID". I said "How?" ...Back to the blank face.  
 
Look, I know kids feel frustrated about how life is now, are not being ask their opinions and they want to be a part of something like Black Lives Matter. But this to me, feels pointless if it turns out to be a protest about Ontario's school reopening instead. They shouldn't rebel if they don't know what it's about, who they're rally with and what they want done for change. Does anyone know more about tomorrows walkout? Because I didn't get anything informative from my kid, except he's possibly coming home early for lunch.  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.  
 
Edited by snowman5, 2022-01-16 18:02:55

Not a lot to gain from being a general protest hater… legitimate part of democracy when peaceful, which I have no reason to believe this isn't.  
 
Here’s the list of demands they've posted:  
"

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by STUDENT WALKOUT 2022 (@mbstudentsforcovidsafety)

 
 
More than 80 schools listed on the Instagram including Massey, Crocus and Neelin in Brandon.  
 
Not that surprising to see this kind of reaction after this week’s aggressive shift in virus response and officials dodging so many questions from the media that would help establish why decisions were made and how we can understand where we stand going forward. I've been in a similar spot with our kiddo in K-6 in advocating for choice if not feeling that this is the best environment for us. My experience and interest personally is more in K-6 where options are thankfully being worked on... so I’ll just say that I support the kids safely making their voice heard as far as what they feel is the best environment for them.

Understood.... sorry, was more referring to original post

List of demands is pretty clear this is about choice, not imposing that choice on others. Not sure what about it led to you getting defensive.  
 
Remote learning has what to many is a bum rap and for a lot of folks that know their own kids’ needs and abilities, it’s a totally fair option for a few weeks until this surge likely passes.

Given that letter writing doesn’t work (have had similar experience to what Abbysmum described on more than one occasion… and the letter didn’t even come until after the topic was even relevant any more)…  

What is your suggestion for a collective to clearly make their voice heard in the short-term that meets your definition of more peaceful than this?

Ha ha. And here I thought I was making up for it with work ethic Friendly reminder, expectation is to “debate the point, not the person” or these threads can head off topic in a hurry.  
 
I can’t speak for the kids involved and what they have and haven’t tried and doesn’t sound like you can either, but I will throw in a recommendation to not give up on dialogue at the local level. Obviously can’t speak on every school, but in my dealings I’ve found local school admin to by and large be accessible and solution-focused when there’s a need. Problem is local will often only be able to go so far within the framework they have to work under the province, who it wouldn’t surprise me if some have found less reachable and harder to have a candid exchange with if the Q & A portion of this presser is any guide. Hopefully for the sake of all involved meaningful dialogue does flow, this wide of an expression is actually quite rare in this province and shouldn’t be brushed off.

I urge organizers and possible participants to call off this disruption and return to dialogue immediately. Failure to do this will cause unintended consequences .  
Disruptions now will cause staff removals, school closures and most importantly reduced opportunities for our children’s education and no one wants that to happen.

Putting today and any opinions on today aside, please confirm sir that so long as the action is peaceful this opinion with this level of confidence and absoluteness regardless of circumstance is simply over-stating to try to make a point and not trolling?