EDITOR,
If you come to Ecole Mamquam Elementary School at recess or lunch time, you'll be sure to find our teaching assistant, Marie-Claude Lessard, at the other end of the pooper-scooper, particularly after the weekend and always after a school break. With Spring Break starting, we would like to remind everyone that the dog leash by-law applies to school property. Our fields have become a popular place for dog owners to exercise their dogs and let them run free. Compared to two years ago, there are more people and dogs living in our neighbourhood. As a result, there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of poop on our fields and in our play areas. After Christmas break, we removed five shovels full of poop from the field. "I'd rather be teaching our children about safe play, social responsibility and how to get along than spend my time on poop," said an exasperated Marie-Claude. "It's appallingly inconsiderate of dog owners."
If you enjoy walking your dog at our school, perhaps you have noticed the "Poop Free Zone" signs that are posted around our school. Despite these signs, we have loads of poop-related problems that we do not appreciate. When our teaching assistants and principal have to clean up the poop, this is time lost to our students. "This is the second shovel full," announced Marie-Claude as she was removing poop from the playground after the weekend.
Everyday one student falls or steps in poop and it is just plain disgusting. Some of us who are in Grade 7 have helped clean off our fellow classmates' shoes. It was not a fun job. When younger students fall in poop, they have to call home for a change of clothes, missing valuable learning time. How do you think we feel? It is embarrassing, especially when it's your shoe that has tracked poop through the hallways and into the library.
"I think that it is a health and safety hazard. It's highly unsanitary and kids slip in it!" exclaimed Grade 7 student Lucas Underwood. He, too, has had many poop-related experiences. Most of you have stepped in dog poop at least once in your life. So you should know how nasty it is. There are two kinds of students on our playground: Those who have stepped in dog poop and those who are going to step in dog poop.
Please help keep our school grounds safe and let us enjoy a Poop Free Playground!
Asia Mader
And Jae Makitalo
Grade Seven students
Mamquam Elementary School
Squamish
