Dear Editor,
Re: High school parking lot is a garbage dump, letter to the editor, March 8
We are writing in response to the letter to the editor about garbage in the parking lot of Foothills Composite High School / Alberta High School of Fine Arts. While we share some of the same concerns as the author, we feel it is important to share a different perspective centered around shared responsibility.
This issue is ongoing and is not isolated to this school. Other schools and locations such as private property, businesses and facilities also see improper disposal of waste. Garbage collects in these areas not only during daytime hours but after hours and on weekends as well.
It is important to recognize the maintenance team at Foothills Composite High School (and other schools), Town of Okotoks employees and others work hard to help keep Okotoks the beautiful community that it is. In fact, students and staff at the school, joined by local sports teams and community members, regularly work to clean up improperly disposed garbage. This collaboration demonstrates a commitment to pride in their school and community.
While it is the responsibility of schools to maintain a clean and safe environment for students and staff, proper disposal of garbage is ultimately a shared responsibility between the schools, businesses and the community.
It will take a community effort to keep Okotoks clean, to help adjust behaviour and encourage proper disposal of garbage. We see this letter as an opportunity to remind our community that education from parents, peers, schools and Town staff may help bring about a positive change in consistent and proper garbage disposal.
The Town of Okotoks, and by extension Foothills Composite High School, will be in the spotlight this July as our community hosts the 2023 Alberta Summer Games. The Games are another opportunity for us all as a community to showcase our beautiful town, respected by all — something we can all take pride in. If we carry a respect for self and community in our hearts, it will be easy to take a walk to garbage cans, which in many cases are just a few steps away. We can each do our part.
Foothills Composite High School and the Foothills School Division will be installing additional garbage cans and signage, encouraging all to do the right thing. The Town operates an annual community clean-up program which encourages residents to be a part of a litter-free solution. Together, we are committed to our educational responsibility and believe that if we all contribute to the solution, we can empower change.
Theresa Letendre, Foothills School Division Board Chair
Tanya Thorn, Okotoks Mayor
