Editor: Re: QE parents fed up with portables, the Record, May 17
The recent article referred to valid concerns parents have with the existing portables, as well as the additional two portables and two modular buildings being added to Queen Elizabeth Elementary School this year.
What it didn’t mention is that École Glenbrook Middle School will be getting two this September as well and parents have yet to be notified if they will be plumbed and what classes will be going in to them.
Why does the district continue adding these inadequate, “temporary” buildings without proper plumbing for students and teachers to have access to toilets or proper running water, when regional growth shows no signs of slowing down? Shouldn’t we be working to ensure our teachers and students have the best environments to learn and thrive? If budgets don’t allow for school additions, it seems only right that we should be aiming to improve conditions for all students and teachers in our district with a well thought out plan geared to the projected growth.
The new portable installed at the newly built school board office seems to be an example of the type of temporary building we should be striving for throughout our district, with what looks to be full plumbing for water and sewage.
An 11-year-old survey by the B.C. Teachers’ Federation points out many of the concerns teachers have working in the portable environment for themselves and their students, whereby many of those surveyed said their ability to teach effectively is negatively impacted when teaching in a portable. Other issues identified in 1997 still ring true today, such as:
- lack of water limits activities such as art and science
- access to the main building not maintained well in inclement weather
- lots of interruptions when students putting on coats, outside shoes and taking a buddy to the washroom
- safety concerns for teachers (especially women) and students due to isolation of portables from main building.
Not to mention concerns with regards to accessibility for students and educators with mobility issues. How can we be adding these learning spaces that limit access based on physical abilities?
If portables are going to become the new norm for New Westminster, shouldn’t the district be looking at ways to make sure they are being designed and installed to ensure accessibility, safety and sanitation and equitable learning spaces for all students?
Perhaps we should even, as a long-term cost-saving measure, be roughing in the plumbing for portables that seem inevitable at the new high school site if growth in the district continues as projected.
It wasn’t apparent in the recent 2018/2019 budget announcement that the district has plans to improve the learning environment for all students and teachers in New Westminster with regards to portables, perhaps it’s buried a bit deeper than what was available in their press release. Let’s hope so for the safety and well-being of all students and teachers in our schools.
Danielle Connelly, New Westminster
