Cheers Jeers
Cheers to the educators at Landmark East School for continually striving to make a difference in the lives of youth facing learning challenges.
Based in Wolfville, the school, which is the only day and boarding school in Canada geared specifically towards students with learning differences, has been helping educate children for more than 40 years.
With a solid track record of helping students overcome adversity, the small but mighty school has been a godsend for countless youth who needed more one-on-one attention.
Karen Fougere, the head of the school, told the SaltWire Network that all of the students have something in common — a diagnosed learning disability. However, the school refers to it as a learning difference.
“Disability sends a negative message. Our students have great ability, but they must learn differently.”
Recently, the board announced a $3.5-million capital campaign to upgrade its facilities and enhance the overall student experience.
The campaign would see upgrades to existing classes and a new building to house a gymnasium, kitchen and cafeteria/performance centre. The Johnson Academic Centre, which was once the Paramount Inn and is 90 years old, would also get some much-needed TLC.
Former student Tamara Gilley told the SaltWire Network the school helped her learn to live with dyslexia, giving her the tools required so that she could attend public school in Grade 9.
“Landmark East is a real gem in our community with benefits like small classes and individual help,” she noted.
While the capital campaign carries a hefty price tag, the cost is a drop in the bucket compared to the value that the school has to local learners.
We look forward to being there for the ribboncutting ceremony.
Jeers to the person or persons responsible for sending out suspicious envelopes — some containing irritants — to various Nova Scotia politicians this month.
Regardless of one's political leanings, no one deserves to be targeted like this, nor should they have to live in fear to do the job they were elected to do.
This is not how people of right mind fight for change in this province or country. It is simply not acceptable.
According to the police, the envelopes have contained documents featuring anti-vaccine messages and literature on the post-Second World War Nuremberg trials, which saw many German politicians die by hanging. The content has been described as disturbing and graphic.
Envelopes sent to MP constituency offices in western Nova Scotia on Feb. 7 contained chemical irritants, sending one staffer to hospital with itching and burning eyes and skin.
This is nothing more than a shameful intimidation tactic, and it will not result in the changes — which we can only assume involves ending vaccine mandates — that they're seeking.
Even when we disagree on political decisions, surely we can all agree that this is a cowardly, desperate act and it must not be tolerated.