Connect with us
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=12]

COVID-19

School in the time of COVID. A parent perspective

Published

4 minute read

This post is from a parent in Red Deer.  He gave his permission to post this on Todayville and added “we haven’t talked to the teachers about any of this yet. These were the accounts our kids had and the anxiety the felt after that first day.”

Am I the only parent heart broken for our children?

Despite our two youngest girls having an “ok” first day of school, some of the stories all three shared were downright disturbing and saddening.
Picking up (our youngest), she was happy and bubbly, maybe just relieved the first day was over. Listening to her explain the “new normal” school rules was sad for sure. Probably more for the dad listening but unable to change how she was, in order to talk to a friend or anyone even in her class, required to wear her mask. Ok, fine…it’s what society has deemed a necessary inconvenience. Then, at lunch, she was told to keep their eyes down on their lunch and if they were to talk to a friend keep looking downward at the lunch table to speak, don’t look at your friend. She definitely did not enjoy wearing the mask but all and all she did ok.
(Our middle child), for the most part, had a great day. Just happy to be back in a social setting and willing to do whatever it takes. Her stories were different only to the fact that one teacher allowed them to remove their masks a bit more than the other, still tons of new rules, but she was still happy to be there learning.
(Our oldest) and her age group is where I start to get really concerned. Her day sounded more like a “break your will” first day of prison than covid precautions. She said her class was not allowed to remove their masks in class, even when seated separately facing forward. There was an expectation of no talking what so ever and their lunch was to be eaten in silence. She was so uncomfortable and awkward that we found her lunch had not been touched. The kid chose not to eat out of embarrassment. Apparently at recess, when the kids could finally take off their mask and were so excited to see their friends they’ve been missing, the school yard warden gave them shit for talking several times and deemed they weren’t “distancing” enough. They were then forced to wear their masks for the rest of recess.
I didn’t get as many details as (my wife) maybe, but what I heard broke my heart for all kids trying to have a life right now. Some of these little inconveniences seem to be more about obedience than safety and I just can’t see it working.
For the record, I am not ragging on teachers or school admin for trying to comply with what has to be an impossible to navigate policy. Nor am I trying to down play the fear and anxiety some parents have over just sending their kid to school. But, how long can this last? Will there be a sharp increase of high school kids dropping out to avoid the control? It just feels like to me, despite all good intention, our kid’s spirit and individuality will suffer the most.

Todayville is a digital media and technology company. We profile unique stories and events in our community. Register and promote your community event for free.

Follow Author

COVID-19

Freedom Convoy’s Tamara Lich shares heartfelt letter from children: ‘God will be by your side’

Published on

From LifeSiteNews

By Anthony Murdoch

Ahead of the announcement of the verdict from her trial in Canada, the Freedom Convoy co-leader posted on X the ‘beautiful letter’ from a 4-year-old and 8-year-old.

With a few weeks until a verdict is released, Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich shared a heartwarming letter she received from a child, who told her to “keep fighting” for everyone and that “God will protect” her from the “enemy.”

Lich shared an image of the letter Thursday on X, writing, “Feels like a good day to share this beautiful letter I received from some very wise children.”

The letter, which was handwritten and sent to Lich by 4-year-old Zavier and 8-year-old Alanis, has the title “God loves You.”

“Thank you for fighting for everyones FREEDOM. God will be by your side and God will protect you from the enemy,” the letter reads.

“With God everything is possible. Stay strong we are praying for you every step of the journey.”

Lich was arrested on February 17, 2022, in Ottawa. Co-leader Chris Barber was arrested the same day.

Lich and Barber’s trial concluded in September 2024, more than a year after it began. It was originally scheduled to last 16 days.

As reported by LifeSiteNews, Lich and Barber’s verdict will be announced on March 12.

They both face a possible 10-year prison sentence. LifeSiteNews reported extensively on their trial.

As reported by LifeSiteNews, Lich recently spelled out how much the Canadian government has spent prosecuting her and Barber for their role in the protests. She said at least $5 million in “taxpayer dollars” has been spent thus far, with her and Barber’s legal costs being above $750,000.

In early 2022, the Freedom Convoy saw thousands of Canadians from coast to coast come to Ottawa to demand an end to COVID mandates in all forms. Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government enacted the never-before-used Emergencies Act (EA) on February 14, 2022.

During the clear-out of protesters after the EA was put in place, one protester, an elderly lady, was trampled by a police horse and one conservative female reporter was beaten by police and shot with a tear gas canister.

Trudeau revoked the EA on February 23.

The EA controversially allowed the government to freeze the bank accounts of protesters, conscript tow truck drivers, and arrest people for participating in assemblies the government deemed illegal.

Continue Reading

COVID-19

Red Deer Freedom Convoy protestor Pat King given 3 months of house arrest

Published on

From LifeSiteNews

By Clare Marie Merkowsky

Ontario Superior Court Justice Charles Hackland ruled that Pat King must serve three months of house arrest and dedicate 100 hours to community service for his participation in the 2022 Freedom Convoy

Freedom Convoy participant Pat King has been given a 3-month conditional sentence for his role in the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest against COVID mandates.  

On February 19, Ontario Superior Court Justice Charles Hackland ruled that King must serve three additional months of house arrest and dedicate 100 hours to community service for his role in the Freedom Convoy. King’s sentence would have been 12 months, but the court gave him credit for time served prior to his trial. 

“In the court’s opinion, there is a social harm to unduly elevating the sentencing rules of denunciation and deterrence in the context of political protests to result in punitive sentences at the top of the sentencing range,” Hackland wrote, explaining why he did not opt to sentence King to a whopping 10-year prison sentence, as the Crown prosecutors had advocated for.

“The risk is that an overly severe sentence of imprisonment in the context of legitimate, constitutionally protected activity can have the effect of creating a chill or fear of participation in political expression,” he continued. 

In November, King was found guilty of two counts of disobeying a court order, one count of mischief, one count of counselling others to commit mischief, as well as one count of counselling others to obstruct police.   

King’s charges are in relation to his role in the 2022 Freedom Convoy which featured thousands of Canadians camping out in downtown Ottawa to call for an end to the COVID regulations and vaccine mandates in place at the time.  

Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government enacted the Emergencies Act on February 14, 2022, to put an end to the popular convoy. Trudeau revoked the EA on February 23, but only after using the powers granted by the legislation to freeze the bank accounts of protesters, conscript tow truck drivers, and arrest people for participating in the assembly.  

The two main Freedom Convoy leaders, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, are still awaiting their verdicts for their involvement in the 2022 protests. Like King, if convicted, they face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

While some of the most notable people involved in the protest, like Lich and Barber, face a slew of charges that come with potentially harsh sentences, other protesters charged for participating have seen their charges dropped.

Continue Reading

Trending

X