EDITOR:
On May 13th, CBC P.E.I. published an article discussing Stonepark Intermediate School’s new policy to hand out immediate two to five day suspensions to any student found using a vape product on school property. We should be disappointed in this decision. Suspensions are an unfair, ineffective and lazy response by a school administration in addressing real problems. Youth are potentially addicted to harmful products and rather than help them address their addiction, Stonepark chooses to force at-risk kids to fall behind on their classwork; another unnecessary problem that none of them need. Although some students might face punishments from their parents at home, many won't, and will likely continue using vape products while suspended. Unfortunately for Stonepark, problems aren't solved through exclusion. Suspending kids who are battling addictions teaches the others that those with addictions aren't to be welcomed in certain social settings. Rather than alienating these students, Stonepark should force them to attend health seminars or arrange for appointments with councillors. Principle Beck stated the policy was enacted to, "keep all students safe," but it begs the question, which students?
Ryan MacRae,
Stratford
LETTER: DOES VAPING POLICY KEEP ALL STUDENTS SAFE?
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