“Not one of you will be forced to go back:” school district works through implications of premier’s promise.
School District 59 officials say student and family supports will continue through the weekend as the community works through the aftermath of this week’s events.
In a letter to families posted on the SD59 website, Superintendent Christy Fennell said the early days remain difficult and the focus remains on care and stability.
“Our priority remains supporting our deeply impacted community,” Fennell said in the message.
With community partners, the district will continue to offer in-person supports for students and families at the Recreation Centre, which will remain open daily from 8 am to 10 pm, she said.
Fennell acknowledged that families will have different needs in the days ahead. “We know some families will want the stability of school routines, while others may not feel ready,” she said, adding that plans for the coming week will prioritize emotional and physical safety through a trauma-informed approach.
She said the district does not expect to return to the current high school site as plans are developed.
Fennell urged parents and caregivers to continue talking with children about healthy coping strategies and kindness toward others. She also encouraged families to limit children’s exposure to ongoing media coverage, noting it can be distressing.
With concerns about online content, Fennell said families should reinforce digital safety and reporting. “If they see something or hear something, they should report it to a trusted adult or through the ERASE Report It tool,” she said. “Report it, don’t repost it.”
At Friday night’s vigil in downtown Tumbler Ridge, while he stood at the podium Premier David Eby made a promise to the community.
“I want to promise something to the high school students who are here,” he said. “I am sure you anxious about having to go back to that school and I will promise you, that not one of you will ever be forced to go back to that school. We will provide a safe place for you to go to school.”
South Peace MLA, in an interview with Global, said the plan will likely include portables.
“How can you imagine a paint job and a mural and then asking children to go back into that place? I can’t imagine,” he told Global during an interview Saturday. “As an adult, I would not want to go into that location. Children should not be forced into that situation.
“There will be portables brought in, there will be other accommodations made, but students won’t be forced back into that building.”
Tumbler Ridgelines has reached out to MLA Neufeld ourselves but was unable to connect by deadline.
