The withdrawal from extracurricular activities by B.C. teachers has created some uncertainty for some scheduled events in School District 69 (Qualicum).
Band students at Kwalikum Secondary School (KSS) and Springwood Middle School (SMS) have a trip to Ottawa in May for MusicFest Nationals and while district administrators are saying they won’t be effected, that isn’t necessarily the case.
School District Superintendent Jim Ansell said yesterday that because the band trips are part of the curriculum they will go ahead.
“My understanding that as of this moment both of those trips will happen, but that is subject to change … as of now they have not been cancelled,” he stated.
Mount Arrowsmith Teachers Association (MATA) president Deb Morran said, in fact, the trips could be effected.
“I am waiting for clarification on that. Some concerns have been expressed and we are trying to have them addressed,” she said.
She said a B.C. Teachers’ Federation meeting is scheduled this weekend and she will know more after it.
SMS band students have been fundraising this past year to come up with the $50,000 they need to cover travel costs.
KSS students have also been working hard to pay for their trip expenses.
While it is still too early to know the full effects of the teachers’ protest actions against Bill 22, plans for some sporting events, theatrical productions, end-of-year dances, dinners, field trips and camping expeditions are in jeopardy because there aren’t enough administrators to cover all of the events.