STUDENT JOB CREATION SUPPORT

This year the federal government is funding a job-creation program for anybody during the pandemic under the age of 30.

While there was some delay rolling this out due to the WE charity scandal, you can now apply for the Canada Student Service Grant, at the rate of $10 an hour or $1,000 for every 100 hours of service. Check here for more information.

ROBERTS FIELD CLOSED AGAIN

After being closed for two months during the height of the coronavirus, the popular grass sports field at Lord Roberts Elementary School has once again been closed, but this time for reseeding. At last check, the new grass is coming in nicely. However, because of heavy use, it reverts to a dirt and mud patch again by October.

This brings up the yearly debate about switching Roberts Field from “temporary” grass to artificial turf. While it is expensive, the amount of money spent reseeding over time adds up. The field is co-administered by the Vancouver School Board and Vancouver Park Board.

ARE TEEN NIGHTS COMING BACK?

For many years now, Friday nights have always been fun and exciting at Coal Harbour Community Centre with the popular Teen Night. West End youth can safely socialize and take part in all sorts of organized activities. But with COVID-19 shutting down all community centers, and at one point turning CHCC into a homeless shelter, Teen Night looks to have an uncertain future.

While social distancing may be hard for some activities, experts say it can be done for others. Take basketball as an example. If you keep space between players (no high fives), and sanitize the ball frequently, this can be done safely. Many players from the King George basketball team practice at Teen Night and play mini-games.

MANDATORY MASKS ON PUBLIC TRANSIT?

Many students rely on our world-class transit network, whether it’s the Skytrain, Seabus or bus. Public transit is a great service, but sometimes physical distancing with so many users is impossible.

That’s why there's a growing petition created by the Facebook group, “Expo Line memes for Transit-Oriented Teens” or ELMTOT for short, calling for face coverings to be mandatory. While TransLink is suggesting people wear masks, they are not enforcing the policy.

So, I decided to do a mini poll using Instagram to find out students' opinions. Over 75 percent of student respondents said they wanted masks to be mandatory on public transit.

I also received comments from students saying they would much rather get their parents to drive them to their destination or ride a bike instead.

SCHOOL RESTART

With school set to restart next month with either in-class or online classes - or a combo as happened in June - The Dragon’s Pen is committed to providing accurate and real COVID-19 information about the 2020-2021 school year.

We’ll have the very latest in our September ‘back to school’ edition.