Vancouver School Board will support students who skip school for climate strike
Posted September 23, 2019 9:55 pm.
Last Updated September 23, 2019 10:54 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) –The Vancouver School Board unanimously voted to offer its support for students participating in climate strikes this Friday.
The motion was brought forward Monday night by Trustee Allan Wong who says if students are passionate about the environment, the board should help.
“The students are asking the board, the governments, all three levels of government, to stop, listen, and unite behind the science,” he says. “I think part of the youth movement and the youth strike protest is with regards in trying to address that and get everyone on the same page and just to listen to science.”
What are the next steps? Tomorrow teachers and principals will be informed by the Superintendent about the changes for the Climate Strike. Wong tells me even if there’s a test – assignment due – students who want to attend will be able to do so without punishment. @NEWS1130
— Taran Parmar (@Tarankparmar) September 24, 2019
Students with permission slips from home will be allowed to leave class without being penalized for missing school. But Wong says even those who don’t bring their slips, won’t be punished.
The initiative began with students calling for action, and now Wong says they will able to go on field trips related to climate change and attend strikes for educational purposes this week. He says regardless of one’s position on climate change, people must stop and learn about what is happening before making up their mind.
“One cannot ignore millions of students striking. One cannot ignore scientists. One cannot ignore the science of climate change,” he says.
Wong says some teachers and schools have set up field trips as a learning opportunity for younger students – a move the board fully supports. Says young people are turning to them for help and they intend on offering a hand. @NEWS1130
— Taran Parmar (@Tarankparmar) September 24, 2019
Letters will be going out to parents, and the superintendent will meet with teachers Tuesday.
The board also voted in favour to declare a climate emergency.
