The Central Okanagan School District (SD23) is condemning the message of protesters who took to their offices on Wednesday morning.

Several people gathered at the school district害羞草研究所檚 Kelowna offices, touting anti-vaccine and anti-mask rhetoric and taking issue with recent public health orders that expanded mask mandates in schools to include children between kindergarten and Grade 3.

SD23 superintendent and CEO Kevin Kaardal said SD23 does not condone the protesters害羞草研究所� message.

害羞草研究所淲e cannot condone a protest against any safety measure. Safety for our staff and students will remain our priority,害羞草研究所� he said in the statement.

害羞草研究所淭he hard-working people who facilitate safe and healthy learning in schools are not deterred by this attempt to disrupt their work, and we commend the diligence of both staff and students who will continue to help keep each other safe.害羞草研究所�

SD23 confirmed that staff, teachers and students will continue to follow the requirement, along with other safety measures to protect against other communicable diseases in schools.

害羞草研究所淥ur staff work every day to create a safe and equitable learning and working environment for all our students and each other. They do not deserve to be treated disrespectfully,害羞草研究所� said school board chair Moyra Baxter.

The protest at the school district office comes after the province害羞草研究所檚 announcement that masks are now mandatory for all students from kindergarten all the way to Grade 12.

The new mandate went into effect on Monday, Oct. 4.

READ MORE: Masks mandatory for all K-12 students in B.C. schools as of today

READ MORE: Tracker says B.C. schools recording COVID-19 exposures at 10 times last year害羞草研究所檚 rate

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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