TUESDAY
K A M L O O P S
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 X Volume 27 No. 64 www.kamloopsthisweek.com X 30 cents at Newsstands
STUDENTS URGED NOT TO WALK OUT By Dale Bass
STAFF REPORTER
dale@kamloopsthisweek.com
Coffee rust is devastating java crops across Central America. While Bill Johnson at Kamloops’ Turtle Mountain Coffee Company hasn’t yet felt the financial impact, he knows it is on its way. Others in the Tournament Capital, however, are already paying more for beans. Dave Eagles/KTW
What started as an idea by a couple of Vancouver teens has spread to Kamloops — and it could see students walking out of school on Wednesday, June 4. Students at Valleyview and NorKam secondaries have signed onto a Facebook page created to promote the walkout. On the page, Victoria Barker and Mackenzie Timko of Vancouver write that many students have experienced the labour disputes between teachers and the provincial government “for our entire schooling. “For some of us, that means our entire 13 years of education. “The two sides are like parents who are divorcing and have stuck their children in
the middle for the last 13 years.” The pair has asked students to walk out tomorrow at 9 a.m. and carry signs that speak from the student’s perspective and not the B.C. Teachers’ Federation or the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA). Jason Karpuk, president of the Kamloops Thompson Teachers’ Association (KTTA), said he’s heard rumours of the walkout, but hopes students don’t do it. “This is between the teachers and the government and I don’t think they [students] should take more time from instruction,” he said. Karpuk encouraged students who support teachers to join them as the second week of rotating strikes hits
Kamloops on Thursday, June 5. For students who do not support the teachers’ stance, Karpuk urged them to visit picket lines and discuss issues with teachers. KamloopsThompson school district Supt. Terry Sullivan agreed with Karpuk in encouraging students to not walk out. He said parents will receive a phone call from the district asking them to speak to their children about not leaving school. Sullivan said this is particularly important for students preparing to write provincial exams or doing other assessments. Sullivan said the automated phone message worked well last week when he sent out an update to parents. X See STUDENT A4
TIB chief to make bid for national office? I’m interested in runTk’emlups Indian ning,” he told KTW. Band Chief Shane Gottfriedson said Gottfriedson is being he has not ruled out urged to run for the making a run for the vacant post of national position voted on by the chief of the Assembly of chiefs of Canada’s first First Nations. nations. The post became No date has been set vacant in April when for the election. former chief Shawn The 11-year chief of Atleo resigned in the Tk’emlups Indian Band the TIB was edged out wake of a controversial Chief Shane Gottfriedson. in 2009 by Jody Wilson decision to side with a Raybould for the position Conservative government of regional chief of the AFN, repreeducation bill. senting B.C. “I’ve been approached to see if
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