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And instead of joining their children in checking out their new classrooms for the year, parents were walking around the outside of the building to see what had been put in place to protect the kids while out on recess.
Some parents even lingered until the first morning recess. They watched as police officers walked among the crowds of young children playing and stayed close to a group of older students hanging out at the edge of the property trying to get a better view of the development site.
"It's not normal," said Denise Muir, who tried to be positive and put on a strong face yesterday for her sons, ages six and eight. "Kids shouldn't have to go to school with cops everywhere. For the most part, it does make me feel they are safe, but there is always that fear sitting in the back of your mind."
Bruce Acker, who escorted his two daughters, ages 10 and 12, on their first day, said he tried to get them transferred to St Patrick's, the only other Catholic elementary school in Caledonia, but was told they are at capacity.
"This isn't a good environment for the kids, but we have no other choice," he said.
"Last year, there were lockdowns and about four or five days when the kids couldn't go to school. I am sure we will see the same thing happen again this year."
Theresa Harris, director of education for the Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk Catholic School Board, confirmed St. Patrick's is at capacity and not accepting additional students.
Of the 513 students enrolled for this school year at Notre Dame, 25 have transferred to both Catholic and public schools in
The parents of four students decided to keep their children home from school yesterday.
One father said he pulled his seven-year-old son out of school in May and is looking into home-schooling him this school year. He was one of several parents who visited the school to see what measures were being taken to ensure the students' safety.
At a recent meeting, board trustees decided to have a wooden fence erected to separate the properties until an agreement can be made between the school and the native occupiers on where a permanent berm can be put in and a 15-metre buffer zone established behind the
She said the fence was supposed to be completed by the first day of school, but there was a delay because the initial contractors refused to step onto the development site to build the fence.
Two officers have been added to be on the playground before and after school as well as at recess.
An additional five surveillance cameras are also supposed to be installed around the perimeter of the building to monitor the playground.
Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer said she was disappointed the surveillance cameras were not installed and the fence was not finished for the first day of school.
"What was promised hasn't happened," she said.
The school board will also be posting a five-day curriculum on its website in the event the school has to be closed down.