N.B. anthem dispute opened divisions in community: parent

Days after a school superintendent ordered the national anthem back into Belleisle Elementary, a member of the local parents committee in the southern New Brunswick townis criticizing the decision for damaging the school's welcoming atmosphere.

Kelly Cooper, the vice-chair of the Parent School Support Committee at Belleisle Elementary, said the anthem controversy that erupted last week subjected the school and its principal to unfair hostility and created an "us-against-them" mentality in the community.

'Two weeks ago that's what we had, a school where parents felt like a community ... Now we have division but we have the anthem every day. And I hope the people who wanted the anthem every day feel that it's worth it.' Kelly Cooper, parent

"We all have our reasons to sing or not sing the anthem. But for me this is about how do we treat the people who are different in our community," Cooper said.

"How do we treat the people who disagree with us? Do we respect them, listen to their point of view, or does the majority say, 'We're the majority, too bad for you and we've got rights.' That doesn't make me feel very comfortable."

Principal Erik Millett's decision in September 2007 to scale back the playing of thenational anthem to school assemblies opened a national debate last week on when O Canada should be sung in the classroom.

Millett said he made the decision because some students had to leave the classroom each morning while O Canada played and were feeling excluded. Several New Brunswick Conservative MPs attacked the decision and two called Millett'sactions "political correctness run wild" in the House of Commons.

Zo Watson, the District 6 superintendent, stepped in on Saturday and ordered that the anthem be reinstated at the school. A parent who led the charge to bring the anthem back said this week she will continue the fight until the daily ritual is put into law.

Cooper said the welcoming environment at Belleisle Elementary has been damaged because of the anthem debate.

She said she would rather her two daughters miss out on the daily singing of O Canada than have other students feel excluded for a length of time each day.

Debate altered school's atmosphere

The Belleisle Creek mother said the divisions created by the debate have altered the close-knit atmosphere in the rural school.

"Two weeks ago that's what we had, a school where parents felt like a community. It was a warm place," she said. "Now we have division, but we have the anthem every day. And I hope the people who wanted the anthem every day feel that it's worth it."

Earlier this week, Millett said in an interview that he didn't think the issue would become as big as it did.

"I think we need some clarity on what is an acceptable accommodation for students in this situation," Millett said.

"Me changing that decision here isn't going to change that for administrators around the province or for students around the province who for whatever reason they are not allowed to partake in the anthem."

No disciplinary action against principal

The district superintendent, said there are no disciplinary measures being taken against Millett as a result of the anthem controversy.

"Mr. Millett was very strong in his decision and I did speak to him several times last week and attempt to have him reconsider the decision. Then on Saturday I felt it was time for me to act on behalf of the school district," Watson said.

When asked whether Millett agreed with the decision, Watson said "he will move forward and comply with my decision for sure."