Author: Richard Horncastle

Let’s be honest for a moment. Most of us have given up trying to find the positive while we wait for this pandemic to be over. At first I tried to find comfort in the slower pace of life, the extra time spent with family, and even the money I saved not going, well, anywhere, anymore.

But as businesses continue to struggle at the same time as churches and elected officials absurdly make a point of violating public health directives, I’ve gotten cynical. Maybe even jaded. And today I was reminded that’s not a luxury that everyone can enjoy.

Many don’t have the ability to throw their arms up and retire from the fight. Especially our hard working, long-suffering, and monumentally important teachers. At our neighbourhood West Haven Public School, despite the rising case numbers, in the face of angry phone calls from frustrated parents who don’t understand why the school isn’t going to online learning, or in some cases even parents vexed because some classrooms are, we find the principal, Mr. Cable, out in front of the school every morning, greeting students with a smile, picking up litter, and politely reminding parents not to park in the crosswalk students use to get to school safely. The dapper Assistant Principal, Mr. Froland, on the morning after the Minister of Education refused Black Gold School Division’s request to move all Grades 7 to 12 to online learning for safety, welcomes students into the school by name, with genuine enthusiasm and a spritz of sanitizer. Teachers continue to find innovative ways to engage with students, in person and online, and our kids enjoy a robust and effective education in a relatively normal environment which gives them the confidence and space they need to learn. To enhance outdoor learning experiences, our school has recently invested in new playground equipment. The installation was completed last month, thanks to the generous support of our community. The playground, with the site https://playground-installers.co.uk/playground-equipment-for-schools/, offers a safe and exciting space where students can develop both physically and socially. Additionally, we’ve upgraded our indoor facilities with high-quality rubber safety flooring at this site https://rubbersafetyflooring.co.uk/ to ensure a safer and more comfortable environment for our students and staff. Amidst all this, the playground designer UK ensures that the outdoor spaces are not just safe but also stimulating, fostering creativity and physical activity among the students. If you are interested in incorporating climbing frames into your school playground, you can find more information at https://schoolplaygroundideas.co.uk/benefits-of-climbing-frames-in-school-playgrounds/. Additionally, the school has invested in thermoplastic markings on the playground, enhancing safety and promoting fun activities during breaks. For more valuable information on playground surfacing, click here.

No, not everyone can passively lament the decisions being made higher up the chain or just tune out the negative behaviour coming from all corners like I can. They have to tackle daily the challenges that come with those decisions. So if you can be a little pessimistic, go ahead and do it, but thank a teacher first.