If BCHS is a community school - then let's hear what the community wants their school to become - let's not limit yourselves to just struggling to keep it open.

SwP thumbnail graphicBy Pepper Parr

October 13, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It was interesting, exciting and exhilarating to watch some 60+ parents, several with children in tow and babies in carriages talk about how they will go about ensuring that those children have a high school to go to. The Parent Council at the high school did a superb job of both organizing and pulling together information. A quick look at the sheets of notes highlights how thorough they are going to be.

The trustee for the ward was doing what she is supposed to do – advocate for her constituents. The ward Councillor did her job as well. Her “I am here for you” was what the room needed to here.

If one can assume that all four trustees are on side for keeping Burlington Central High open – that gets 4 of the 11 votes. What about the two more that will be needed to ensure that the proposal to close BCHS is not approved by the trustees?

As an aside it looks like the parents with students going to Lester B. Pearson are comfortable with the decision to merge that school with M.M. Robinson.

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The potential to become one of the best high schools in the province rests in the hands of the Parent Council.

The people taking part in the first BCHS community meeting were active, engaged and offered some superb comments.

This is their school – and this may be the opportunity for the community to not only oppose the closing of the school but put together ideas and proposals that would make the place one of the best in the province in terms of where students go for their education.

The structure has a sense of style and solidity to it. It is in the downtown core.

It does need a makeover which if done properly will make the school the one many students will want to attend.

It is already unique with its K to graduation set up. It has a very significant number of bursaries and scholarship available to students.

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These are the people that can make their school into whatever they want it to be.

It has a parent population that in 1975 raised $100,000 to, we are told, refurbish the auditorium. Those were 1975 dollars.

This is a group of people who should not limit themselves to the just keeping the school open.

Dare to be Daniel’s and show your Board of Education that you have a vision for your community school.

Salt with Pepper is an opinion column publish from time to time

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3 comments to If BCHS is a community school – then let’s hear what the community wants their school to become – let’s not limit yourselves to just struggling to keep it open.

  • penny Hersh

    How about a school that teaches trades…auto mechanics, culinary,computer . Classes that will enable those students not wanting to go to college or university to be able to get into the workforce.

  • John

    The trustees have a very difficult balancing act, insure the best opportunities for students while using the available resources wisely.

    Keeping schools open with low enrolment means the board will spend more on buildings and less on educating the students.
    Having fewer schools with higher enrolment allows the board to redirect the saving to education, providing students with more or even better opportunities.

    The answer is, we want both, are we all willing to pay for it ?

  • Robert Missen

    How about a school fof the arts? We don’t have one of these schools in Burlington, do we?