Flushing water
Following reports from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) of higher than acceptable levels of lead in the drinking water in the Village of Pemberton and schools in Kitimat, BC, School District 47 is proceeding with a recommendation from VCH to flush all water lines daily in all schools as a precautionary measur
School district secretary-treasurer Steve Hopkins said assurances had been given to VCH that schools were following protocols for flushing water.
“I got feedback from principals confirming that we are following the process, which is running water every morning,” said Hopkins.
He added that principals verify who they have assigned to do the flushing and that, moving forward, he will investigate automating the system in some of the district’s older schools.
“Even when it’s tested positive,” said Hopkins, “it’s been in incredibly trace amounts.”
Concerned about marijuana shops
The school board addressed a subject arising from a VCH letter and fact sheet sent to school superintendents of four districts, including School District 47, regarding the annual 4/20, also known as World Cannabis Day.
Trustee Jeanette Scott expressed concern about medical marijuana dispensaries that have recently opened in Powell River.
“I’m wondering how our students are going to be affected by changes in attitude about this,” said Scott.
The board discussed why the dispensaries are still open and have not been shut down.
Trustee Mary James made a motion to have the school board write a letter to City of Powell River council expressing its concerns about the dispensaries. The motion was passed.
Ready for students
Currently, School District 47 does not have any Syrian refugee students enrolled at any of its schools, but they may be coming soon.
“We do believe that between now and June there is a chance we may get a student or two,” said school district superintendent Jay Yule.
Various community groups are exploring sponsorship of students, added secretary-treasurer Steve Hopkins, although the board of trustees does not know how many or when they might be expected.
“We believe at some point, as early as this spring, we may start to get a few students,” said Hopkins.
Trustee Mary James is working with a group through the Catholic church.
“There’s a family that group is hoping to bring here,” said James. “Should they come, there are three children who are school-aged.”
Manson Avenue bike corridor
BikeBC, a Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure cost-sharing program to assist municipalities in financing cycling projects, has the strong support of the school district, specifically the enhancement of the Manson Avenue bike corridor.
“We’d like to see a better bike lane infrastructure in Powell River,” said school district superintendent Jay Yule.
To that end, Yule wrote that ensuring safety is one of the challenges of getting students to bike to school.
Last year, students aged nine to 10 were asked about barriers to cycling. A safe route was second to distance as the reason they did not ride to school.
