Dear Editor:
The time has come where we are forced to examine our daily routine, prioritize our needs and redefine almost everything we do – and make it work as safe as possible for each other.
It’s not news that the pandemic created significant political, social and economic change. Many employees (ie. first line and essential workers) had to adapt overnight, other businesses halted for a re-think, some will never recover. Altruism and volunteerism increased as people helped people.
It was terrifying when we could not work to earn our income, grocery stores and basic foods were more restricted, families had to stay inside. It was a slap in the face to realize how dependent we are on our lifestyle of “things”.
The pandemic shake-up forced us to recognize how vulnerable we are, if we do not re-prioritize our values that extend toward caring for our Earth – the quality of the air, soil and water that supports our food, our health, the future of our children’s growth, learning and development, our business practices, and more.
Currently, parents, teachers, and kids too, worry about potentially going back to school in September. I listened to Ontario Today (CBC radio on Aug. 18) debating this contentious issue. Ideas are flying for a plan to keep kids, their families, and teachers safe. A popular idea is outdoor classes. Yes rain or shine and even in the winter! Some schools have previously successfully tested this. “We live in Canada after all.”
A great idea, however I feel a disconnect with Wellington County programs that support kids and learning that already exist, and yet remain closed. These disconnects are missed opportunities.
For example; when downtown Fergus was closed to vehicle traffic on weekends, customers complained that many of the stores were not open or had shorter hours of operations. The same issue exists with kids starting back to school. There are great opportunities for kids to learn outdoors about their environment and their world.
Before COVID most Wellington County schools from Grade 1 to Grade 12 accessed The Green Legacy Program for learning how to grow seeds, the value and outcomes of nurturing our land, interpretive nature hikes through trails and forest, attending presentations, gaining hands-on experience and volunteer hours. The space is there to carry on experiential learning for classes. The value of these programs is more important than ever.
I wish our school administrators and Wellington County would take another look at how they can connect and support each other, to build a better future, to keep our families safe, to strengthen our children’s growth, and an understanding of how environmental protection supports the political, social and economic issues of the day.
Pandemic lessons: Share the knowledge and resources that are available. Be creative but keep it simple. Help each other. Keep it green.
Nancy McFater,
Fergus