We are pleased to note that such improvements are happening at all levels of the school system at this point. There is still much to do, however. Whenever it rains, water leaks in around the old windows, providing a home for mould growth inside the walls. It is routine to replace old, asbestos floor tiles by moving the class to one side of the room while the workers break up and remove tiles and glue down the new ones, then they are all moved to the other side to finish the job. When the annual ant problem begins, the pest company is called to spray the perimeter of the school.
Pesticide drifts in through the open windows over the children's desks.
We could go on and on. Looking back, we've come a long way, but these conditions and others can still be found in our Province. We soon realized we had work to do on many levels if changes were to be significant, and last any longer than our own daily vigilance. Principals, teachers, custodians, board members, maintenance managers, officials of government departments, politicians, and other parents had to have their eyes opened as ours had been. More and more people are recognizing that clean air and a healthy environment are as important to learning as are a good curriculum and good teaching.