Kelowna Campaign

June 2005 Update
After supporting a student choice policy on dissection for the Vancouver school district, YAAA started to work for one in the Okanagan. School District #23 board members replied to our letter by saying that they decided not to pursue a policy, but they did state, "We will, however, request that our biology staff inform students of current provincial curriculum which does not require students to participate in the dissection of animals."  We are still working on an official policy which will ensure that teachers always inform students of their rights.

March 2005
Hello, I am in grade 8, at Glenrosa Middle School, and my name is Carmen. I am working towards a Student Choice Policy in my area, and had written a letter supporting one in Vancouver. In my letter I basically told of my experience with dissection, and why I would support a Student Choice Policy. Further, in the Okanagan, my group has sent a package to School district 23. The only response, since, was that they are taking it to the board.

So, last year, in my Science 7 class, we were told we would be performing a grasshopper dissection. Pre-middle school, I had already made up my mind that dissecting any living being, was completely against my ethics, and that I would refuse when the topic came up. We weren't told of any alternative to dissecting. How do we know we have a choice, if they don't make an effort to tell us? I had a friend who was against dissecting, same as me, but dissected anyway because the teacher never mentioned an alternative assignment, and her parents were afraid her grade might drop if she didn't dissect. There is something completely wrong with this picture. If we have a choice, why aren't we aware of it, and why should we have to worry about a drop in grade, if we refuse? So, my mom and I spoke to my teacher...He said he'd check the internet for alternatives. He said he didn't find anything, so he obviously didn't look very well, because my mom found this awesome website. We contacted the organization (Animalearn), and they sent us a CD full of info. on grasshoppers, for no charge, except the FedEX fee. So, in the end, it worked out for me, as well as a friend, who decided to work with me in the library, and we both got a perfect mark on our labs. But what about the other people? We need a choice! Plus, cruelty-free alternatives are humane, and have shown that you can learn just as much, and probably even more. Dissecting isn't necessary in this day and age. If we are so evolved, let's act like it!

Carmen Crosland, grade 8
Youth Against Animal Abuse
yaaa_77@hotmail.com