The legacy of sexual and physical abuse at the private Christian school now called Valour Academy can’t be erased, writes Allan Wickstrom.
This is a clear attempt to distance and whitewash the school and Mile2 church from the ongoing criminal trials and allegations of abuse by church and school staff. There is no valour in physical abuse. There is no valour in sexual abuse. There is no valour in emotional abuse.
It’s shameful, disgraceful and indefensible that the Saskatchewan Party Government permitted the name change, allowing the school to keep functioning. It’s further shameful it supplies taxpayer funding to such a notorious institution.
There is valour in owning up to one’s transgressions, acknowledging wrongs and attempting some recompense to those who have been abused. A name change for the school that sounds acceptable to me and many others would be “permanently closed.”
Allan Wickstrom, Saskatoon
Not all too long ago, principals and teachers dressed like the professionals they are, wearing suits, dress shirts and pants, and proper shoes. Students were expected to dress appropriately as well: No bare shoulders, short-cut shorts, bellies showing, and removing hats when entering a building.
These standards reinforced for our children to be polite and respectful. I am a parent of a student in the Kincaid School where the principal wears shorts, a T-shirt and bare feet. Teachers come dressed casual as if they are a next-door neighbour out in their yard.
Students are coming to school in low-cut tops, crop tops, strapless tops and very short shorts. Hardly proper attire for a learning environment. Our educators, instructors and coaches should be leading by example and dressing the part. Having respect for their profession.
I spoke with the principal and the superintendent of school operations about a dress code. This is something that is not supported by our school or school board. It was suggested to me by the principal that it would be considered body shaming if the school implemented any kind of dress code.
It is not body shaming to reinforce to our kids responsibly, respect, dignity and standards. Many private schools have dress codes, school uniforms for students and professional dress for staff.
The concession at the lake where my daughter had a summer job serving ice cream had a dress code posted on the wall for the staff, “no low-cut tops, no crop tops and no short shorts.” What happened to having standards?
Rosalie Schmaltz-Swanson, Kincaid
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