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Vol. 18, No. 15, Wednesday, March 8, 2023 www.LamontLeader.com
Special needs students forgotten as EIPS makes provisions during water shut off EIPS board and trustee refuse to answer media questions about the situation by Jana Semeniuk A water main break in the town of Lamont had some parents concerned after Elk Island Public Schools sent an email to families the evening of Mar. 1 informing them that both the Lamont Elementary School and the Lamont High School would remain open without running water the next day, Mar. 2. EIPS supplied portable toilets, hand sanitizer and bottled water to more than 600 students and at least 50 staff members between both schools but, according to one parent, failed to provide for special needs students. Sylvia McDonald said her son Julian McDonald, 11, was born with a chromosome disorder which renders him non-verbal and requiring a full-time
aid in school. She said she was concerned after receiving the email from EIPS as it didn’t address a special needs plan for Julian, who requires help in the washroom. “There was no plan in place for Julian. I know there are at least four other handicapped students in the high school and there was no plan for them either,” she said, adding no special needs portable toilets were made available. “I couldn’t send him to school and put his aid through using a small individual portable toilet for him. There’s no room. They (portable toilets) were also just lined up outside in the parking lot.” Continued on Page 3
Eight portable toilets stand on the South side of Lamont Elementary School for staff and students to use Mar. 2 after water was shut off to the school when a water main broke Mar.1. At least one student was overlooked when no special needs bathroom was brought in to accommodate his disability. Photo: Jana Semeniuk
Chipman Players deliver another winning performance BY JOHN MATHER It was Ringo Starr of the Beatles who warbled “Act Naturally,” a jaunty ditty from the creative minds of Johnny Russell and Voni Morrison back in 1965. It was also recorded by Country and Western star Buck Owens before the Beatles picked it up. But the Chipman Players have brought that phrase to reality with another winning performance at the Chipman National Hall. The Players presented their version of “Million Dollar Meatballs,” last weekend to successive packed houses, and the season will conclude with two additional performances this weekend on Mar.11 and 12. Doors open at 5:30 with dinner served at 6 p.m. and the play beginning at 7:30.. Included in the cost of the $40 ticket is a bountiful meal prepared by Tom’s Catering. When reading the cast of characters in the program, attendees get an introduction to the local performers and their love of putting on a fun-filled performance for their audience.
“The role is very different than what I’m like in real life,” states Mo Thompson in the program. “Usually I am polite and enthusiastic, and inviting as the Postmaster of the Village of Chipman. In “Million Dollar Meatballs” she plays Humphrey the snarky maitre’d who would rather be elsewhere than the restaurant where he works. Caren Cossey Kwasnycia who plays Boris Stroganoff, a strange waiter in the restaurant says in the program, “I hope to give you a good laugh, lots of fun and help you forget the world’s “drama.” ” Bruce McGregor is one of the founders of the Chipman Players and this year plays one of the main characters, “Frankie” the brains of a pair of hapless jewel thieves who stumble into the restaurant Chez Monyeu. “This was our 13th show,” he said following the play, Mar. 4. “We’ve been going for 15 years but we lost two productions because of Covid.” The Chipman National Hall was filled to near capacity on Mar.3 and 4 as the play took place. Continued Page 2
Bruce McGregor points at a line, while stifling a laugh, as Tom Hrehorets’ fake moustache falls off during the Chipman Players’ production of “Million Dollar Meatballs,” performed before large crowds Mar, 3 and 4 at Chipman’s National Hall. McGregor plays “Frankie” a jewel thief, and Hrehorets is “Beans’ his harebrained sidekick in the hilarious production. Two more performances will be held Mar. 11 and 12.