On February 20, 2021, CBC news broke this story on CBC.ca [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/school-windows-screwed-shut-covid-air-exchange-1.5920084] and it has become the subject of a lot of controversy. So we are asking the question: Why are classroom windows being screwed shut at Godson Elementary in Abbotsford, BC?
The school board disagreed and argued that the windows being open in February -our winter- was wasting money on heat escaping through the windows. Their solution was to screw the windows shut.
This did not go over well with teachers, students and parents alike.
“Anxiety is high,” said Jennifer Brooks, president of the Abbotsford Teachers’ Union. “To start by screwing the windows closed — was instantly a large stress”, said Brooks: “It was a great surprise to the staff. The day that it happened the teachers were very upset.”
However, the School District said that the use of windows to circulate fresh air was found to be a “potential safety hazard during opening and closing functions on some of the windows.”
Teachers say that air quality is worth the extra expense, but are currently at at stand-off with the school board on this issue.
Today, the classroom windows of Godson Elementary remain screwed shut. Teachers are hopeful for a quick resolution, but so far, no common ground has been reached.
For more information, go to www.cbc.ca.