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Students have their voices heard during a province-wide walkout

January 24, 2022 News Story
Kelvin High School students walking out of school

A student-led protest, organized through social media, resulted in a peaceful walkout of classes for some 300 students in Winnipeg School Division on Monday, January 17. The protest, organized in Manitoba by Ava Byrne, a Kelvin High School student in WSD, was designed to bring government attention to students’ concerns about COVID-safety in schools.

"We're demanding the government give us the option of remote learning at all schools across the province. As well as better funding for in-school safety, specifically, N95 masks for students, staff and teachers, funding for better ventilation and most importantly the option of remote learning," said Byrne.

WSD supported students' right to have a voice and to protest peacefully. Recognizing that not all students agree with the sentiment behind the walkout, it was also important in WSD classrooms to ensure students understand that there are two viewpoints in this equation and discussions should be respectful. 

"I think it's an important reminder just because students are young; we will speak up when we feel unsafe or if there are injustices," Byrne said.

The decision for all students to return to in-person learning is a directive from the Manitoba Government, and WSD schools are following Public Health recommendations for COVID safety. COVID safety is a layered approach and requires everyone to follow the fundamentals such as frequent handwashing, staying home when sick, wearing masks, observing physical distancing and getting vaccinated as soon as you are eligible.

"I think what we're hearing from students today is that they want options that will help reduce the number of people in school buildings to support safety and physical distancing, and they want the provincial government to make those options, and the resources needed to make them possible, available," said Jamie Dumont, Vice-Chair, WSD Board of Trustees. "While our staff have done an exceptional job of adapting to remote learning, we recognize that remote learning has its challenges, and for most students, in-person learning is best."

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