Winnipeg high school students visiting Paris during the recent terror attacks were reunited with their families Monday evening.
The group from Vincent Massey Collegiate included two teachers and seven students, in grades ten through twelve, who were in France for an exchange trip.
The students stayed with French hosts outside the city for most of their trip, but moved to Paris for their last days abroad.
Grade 12 student Ashley Derksen told CTV it was scary during the attacks.
She said the teachers kept them inside and safe Friday night.
"Well we went back to our hotel when we heard. And we didn’t really go out after that," said Derksen.
She said the city was sad and quiet the next day, when students were allowed to go for a walk.
Derksen's two best friends came to pick her up at the airport. They said they were worried for her safety.
"It was scary not knowing what was going on and not being able to do anything," said Derksen's friend, Nicole Stubel.
Students used social media to talk with their parents from Paris.
Lianne Roberts said her 16-year-old daughter, an experienced traveler, seemed calm after the attacks.
"We spoke immediately and they just reassured us that they were fine and that the teachers were taking good care of them," said Roberts.
Roberts said she had full confidence in the school staff abroad, but still worried for her daughter and the other students.
"We were very concerned about their safety and about their emotional, psychological well-being," said Roberts.
Ted Fransen, Superintendent of Education with the Pembina Trails School Division, said the students were never in danger and is glad to see them home safe.
Fransen said there are no more school trips planned until the spring.
Manitoba student told to 'cover up' says school's dress code unfairly targets girls
After being told to cover up, a 15-year-old student from Landmark, Manitoba says her school’s dress code unfairly targets girls.
On Monday, Kayla Touchette wore a shirt with cutouts on her shoulders to Landmark Collegiate.
She said the shirt was okayed by her mother, who checks over her outfit before each school day.
Touchette said when she got to school, she was told to cover up by a teacher.
“I asked her why and she said, 'well your (shirt) is inappropriate',” said Touchette.
The teen then put on a sweater to wear for the rest of the school day.
Landmark Collegiate is the namesake school of the Manitoba hamlet located about 40 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg.
The school's student handbook lays out its dress code policy, stating “shirt sleeves must cover the shoulders."
However, within the handbook there are several pictures of girls with bare shoulders.
Touchette said she was told when she first started at Landmark Collegiate that girls’ shoulders are distracting.
She said she was told, “no shoulders showing because they give boys visions."
Her grandmother said Touchette never leaves the house inappropriately dressed, and shouldn’t be responsible for the way boys think.
“Since when is any person responsible for another person’s thoughts or actions?” said Touchette's grandmother, Eleanor.
Touchette said boys in her school wear basketball jerseys without problem and thinks the shoulder rule is being applied unfairly.
“The guys, it’s funny. They get the freedom to dress how they want, but I don’t,” said Touchette.
Landmark Collegiate is part of the Hanover School Division.
The division's superintendent, Randy Dueck, said each school sets its own dress code.
He said those policies reflect the local environment and are designed to create a safe space for students.
“The dress code policies are set to encourage a respectful public environment, positive school image; much like a lot of work environments,” said Dueck.
He said Landmark Collegiate applies their rules equally to boys and girls.
Touchette and her family disagree.
“I believe that my daughter’s rights were violated and that she should be able to wear which she feels comfortable in,” said Travis Robinson, Touchette's father.
The family has contacted the Manitoba Human Rights Commission to make a complaint.
Frustrated Bombers fan pays person to take his game tickets
It’s been another tough year for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and one fan had enough.
Season ticket holder Trevor Dowd can’t make the Bombers game on Saturday.
He said last time he offered his tickets to friends, they told him he couldn’t pay them to take the seats.
Dowd decided to reach out online for Saturday’s game.
“I thought, well I’ll post them on Kijiji. Wasn’t even going to try to ask for any money so I thought, well I’ll see if I can pay someone to take the tickets,” said Dowd.
He posted a tongue-in-cheek ad on Tuesday night that said “I'm willing to give you 2 FREE tickets and $5.00. I still feel as though I'm completely ripping you off with this offer!!”
In the ad, Dowd details issues with the Bomber’s performance, the coaching staff and the stadium.
It’s racked up thousands of views and responses.
“Lots of people wanted the five dollars, most people didn’t want the tickets,” Dowd said.
A representative from the Bombers said the organization has seen the ad. She said that the Bombers take fan complaints very seriously, and someone called Dowd personally to hear his concerns.
“Their main concern was the mouldy hotdog, I think,” said Dowd.
The ad’s photo was of a mouldy hotdog Dowd purchased at a Bombers game, right after the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“She said that it was FIFA’s hot dog bun and not the Bombers hot dog bun, and then distanced themselves from the Ovations caterers,” said Dowd.
He did find a person willing to take the full offer.
Roger Smith is a Bombers fan and wants to take his nine-year-old son to his first game.
Dowd handed over the tickets, cash and a slinky.
He said the seats are next to the aisle, and the slinky guarantees three hours of entertainment at the game.
All things aside, Dowd said he’s not abandoning the team and chose to renew his season tickets.