UPDATE: Students cry for change from the top

The decision to transfer a favorite teacher at Stobart Community School in Duck Lake was the last straw for at least 100 protestors who gathered in front of the school today.

Lacey Sutherland, a grade 12 student who led the demonstration, said they are looking for change at the school after seeing bullying and aboriginal programs disappear.

Protestors identified START Change (Stobart Traveling Anti-Racism Team) and a school Drum and Dance Group as two positive programs that have been stopped since a new principal stepped in two years ago.

Now two teachers are leaving the school as well.

One of those teachers is Donna Nieman who is being transferred after differences between her and the school’s principal.

“She’s the best teacher here and we can’t let her leave,” said Sutherland.

The protestors chanted “we want change,” and “give us answers,” as they called to confront their Principal Reg Nicolas.

Nicolas stepped into the role of principal two years ago, taking over from Craig Shellenberg.

“Aboriginal funding funds this school for a specific reason. After Shellenberg we lost Drum and Dance Group, we lost START Change, we weren’t even allowed to go out anywhere,” said Sutherland.

She said the students felt they needed to speak up as leadership decisions have not been in the best interest of the students.

Sutherland was only expecting the students at the protest but other members of the community came out to show support as well.

Debbie Sauve has five grandchildren at the School. She stood and chanted with the students during the demonstration.

She said problems with the school leadership have been ongoing and Nieman was one of few stable things that have been a positive influence on the students’ lives.

“I’ve seen for the past 10 or 15 years, her being there for the kids,”Sauve said.

“When the kids have nowhere to turn she was there for them, she’s got them involved in change and anti-bullying … the right to be hear, the right to stand up for what you believe, and the right not to be treated as second-class.”

She said she feels the current school leadership is implementing the exact opposite to what Neiman has instilled in the students.

The only solution, according to Sauve, would be a clean slate right from the top.

“You’ve been hearing about this today but I’ve been hearing about it for a long time,” she said.

Sutherland spoke on behalf of the student protestors saying they just want to show everyone that the direction the school is headed is not ok.

“We’ve had enough of this and this has got to stop.” She said.

An online petition has been set to keep Neiman. The petition encourages people to write to John Kuzbik, the director of education for the Prairie Spirit School Division.

Representatives from the school division met with the group of students and parents in the school’s library this afternoon. They gathered complaints, comments and questions to be discussed further.

Shelby Bruce, one of the student organizers, said they have not been given any answers yet.

“They’re telling us they’re going to get back to us but they don’t know when that will be.”

Organizers of the protest promised that if they do not see action soon there will be more protests. The next one is already being planned for January 2.

Neiman is scheduled to be transferred January 3rd.

The local school board has not responded to media requests for comment.

sfroese@panow.com

by Stephanie Froese

UPDATE: Students cry for change from the top

By Stephanie Froese

paNOW Staff

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