Canadian Press file photo

By Josh Hall

Masks in Schools

Stettler student told to leave school for refusing to wear mask

Sep 4, 2020 | 11:20 AM

A Grade 12 student in Stettler was told to leave his school after refusing to wear a mask.

Clearview Public Schools says in a statement that the incident took place Wednesday.

The division says they are just trying to follow the direction of Alberta Education and the province’s chief medical officer of health which make the wearing of masks mandatory for students in grades 4 to 12 in common areas and hallways.

“Where a student refuses to wear a mask and where age-appropriate, the legal guardian will be asked to pick up the student from the school,” says Peter Neale, Associate Superintendent, Business and Finance.

“Where a student or staff member requires accommodation to the need to wear a mask due to physical, medical, or mental health considerations, these accommodations are provided. This process was followed involving a Grade 12 student yesterday.”

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Neale adds that any person who refuses to leave the school, in accordance with the Education Act, may be subject to having police attend for extra support.

“The RCMP did not have direct involvement with a student yesterday at Wm. E. Hay Stettler Secondary Campus,” says Neale.

In a public Facebook post, a woman identifying herself as the student’s mother says she is proud of her son’s actions, adding that masks don’t do anything to prevent COVID-19.

“Staff argued with him for a few minutes and then decided to phone the RCMP… He had nobody stand with him, he was on his own… We need leadership not to be a bunch of sheep that follow,” the woman wrote.

We regret that one of our Clearview families has chosen to communicate on social media regarding an incident involving a student at one of our schools, and Clearview continues to seek conversations with any family that has questions on what we can do together,” Neale says.

“Clearview would like all our families to know that we are seeking to be compliant with the direction provided by Alberta Education and the Chief Medical Officer, and that we want to ensure a safe learning environment for all staff and students.”

(RD News Now)