Teachers to head back to school in La Loche, Sask. after shooting
Northern Lights School Division says teachers will be back at school Feb. 22
Teachers are to return to a school in northern Saskatchewan one month after a shooting that killed four people.
The Northern Lights School Division said in a release that teachers are to be back at the La Loche Community School on Feb. 22. Classes are to resume shortly after that for elementary students.
- 'A light in La Loche;' program could be reinstated after shooting
- What 3 residents wish for La Loche's future
- Go Fund Me page set up for La Loche recreational centre
No date has been set for the return of high school students, but the division said staff are looking at options for how to make up lost class time.
The school has been closed since the Jan. 22 shooting.
Two teenage brothers were shot dead in a home and a teacher and an aide were killed at the high school in the Dene community. Seven people in the school were wounded and three of them remain in hospital.
A 17-year-old boy, who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. Friends have said he was an outcast at home and a victim of bullying at school.
His next court appearance in Meadow Lake, Sask., is also set for Feb. 22.
Notes from a Feb. 4 meeting of parents posted on the school's Facebook page say they want to know how the community is going to deal with bullying.
"It was recognized that parents need to teach respect at home and work on improving the bonds with their children," the notes say.
"Concerns were raised regarding the number of supports available to students. Currently each building has one permanent social worker for students. This wasn't enough before the tragedy."
It said the majority of parents want students back in class "the sooner the better." They agreed elementary students should return Feb. 23 and suggested high school students go back March 1.
Parents will be allowed to tour the high school the same day teachers return, said the post, adding most parents want renovations and added security.
The town's mayor, Kevin Janvier, had suggested the building needed to be torn down so people could heal. He has since changed his mind, saying education needs to be a priority.