Emotion understandable, but can’t drive process
The outpouring of emotion after the drowning death of five-year-old Ahmedsadiq Elmmi at Dundonald School in Saskatoon last week will continue for many months to come.
Along with that emotion comes a demand for answers. This too, is understandable, as every parent who sends their children off to school for the day wants to believe they are headed to a safe place.
It is important Saskatoon Public Schools — and really all districts — keep an open flow of communication about next steps and relevant findings in coming days. The parents of Ahmedsadiq Elmmi have called for more information about the process, and that wish needs to be heeded quickly.
There is, however, a need to proceed with caution and not in a reactionary way. It is important that decisions are made carefully, based on a review of facts gathered in a systematic fashion. Of course, the coroner’s report will be an important component of this process, but it is not the only means for looking at a tragedy.
Initially, many jumped to the conclusion that staff cuts led to reduced supervision on the Dundonald playground. This does not appear to be the case. A representative for CUPE says no support staff were cut during recent staffing changes.
A petition calling for the fencing of the pond near Dundonald School is gaining traction with the public.
Experts who have studied fencing at schools say that each site must be assessed individually. Fences that help keep children in school yards can also pose barriers for those trying to supervise kids and monitor the flow of people to and from the school yard. It could be that a fence is needed, but it is a decision to be made after research.
Mike Walter, deputy director of school services for the Regina Public School Division, made an important point on shared responsibility of teachers, parents and community members to ensure children’s safety. In Regina, three schools are located near Wascana Creek.
Cities and municipalities have an important a role to play. In Saskatoon, there are at least 100 unfenced water features.
Waterways don’t disappear when the school bell rings. Fences can be scaled.
“That’s a part of their community whether they’re in school or whether they’re playing in the evenings or on the weekends, so I think we all have to work together to ensure that students understand that water can be very dangerous,” said Walter.
It takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to save one.