Superintendent orders national anthem reinstated in N.B. school

The principal of the Belleisle Elementary School in southern New Brunswick has been told to reinstate the playing of the national anthem following several complaints over the decision to drop it as part of the morning routine for students.

School District 6 Superintendent Zo Watson said she directed the principal to bring back O Canada afterreceiving a number of calls and emails from peopleliving in the small community of Springfield, across the province and elsewhere in Canada.

"It is very clear from the communication I have received that people want to see the national anthem played daily at this school," Watson said. "As Superintendent of District 6, I will act in the best interest of the Belleisle Elementary School community and reinstate the playing of the national anthem during daily announcements, effective immediately."

Principal Erik Millett said he made the decision to cancel the playing of song abouta year ago, with the blessing of parents who didn't want their children taking part, for reasons he said he couldn't discuss because of privacy issues.

He said the change was part of a package of reforms designed to make the school feel more inclusive and to allow the school to run more smoothly.

Millett said kids who were arriving late on school buses were disrupting the anthem as it was piped in over the public address system.

A mother of two girls attending Belleisle Elementary learned about the new policy only recently and complained to both Watson and Conservative MP Greg Thompson. Susan Boyd also announced plans to start a petition to try to change the school's decision.