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In reference to a Langley Times article, Friday, April 28/06, page 13, called South Carvolth Fallout.
I am shocked that School Trustee Sonya Patterson would say," I don't know what that teaches children - that they didn't get what they wanted so they just jump ship?"
Trustee Patterson must not have been listening ! Many parents informed the trustee's numerous times that this "small rural environmental school" is what they wanted for their children.
The public school system this day and age is quite simply "about choices" .The Education Minister, Shirley Bond, has expressed her opinion that having choices available for parents is important.
Some South Carvolth Environmental School parents had made a choice to bring their children in from out of catchment and district. They chose our little school which brought in extra student $$$ into the Langley District.
Langley School District Trustees voted to close South Carvolth 5-2 on March 28, 2006. Trustees eliminated one choice for parents wanting this type of schooling in Langley District.
Not only will Langley District lose 43 students to Halls Prairie, but that number is in addition to the out of District students it will lose. Also, what might not have been considered is all the younger siblings of those students that are leaving. They will most probably follow their older siblings and to go out of Langley District as well.
Furthermore, one thing Trustees may not have considered is what may happen with any new population growth in the South Langley, Carvolth area. Neighbours talk to neighbours, and when new community members move in with children they ask others about a good school in the area. Most of those new parents will be told about the nice little rural school down the road in Surrey District. The effects of this closure may cause a continued drop in Langley Districts enrollment for many years to come. I guess this problem could be made up with saving more funds on less teaching positions(not what I consider looking after the best interest of Langley School District).
Trustee Sonya Patterson also said, "...parents carried out their threat to move their children to a Surrey school if the school board didn't keep South Carvolth open."
This was NEVER a threat!!! South Carvolth parents merely informed Trustees that was another small rural school not far and this was a simple option for parents in this area.
Of course, parents first choice was to keep their children in our own small rural Langley school.
I was part of the site committee which addressed parents concerns on a weekly basis with a Langley school board administrator. After learning first hand about the way the Langley school closure system works, I didn't want my children to go to Glenwood Elementary. The closure system appears to be geared to target small Langley schools until closure is achieved. I feel that my children will be much more secure at a Surrey school, with much less chance of being uprooted again.
The present and future public school system is about offering parents more "choices". I do not understand why most of Langley School District Trustees don't understand the importance of this concept.
Good riddance of the enviros let them go to Surrey The township is better of without them
Maybe those who have no use for progressive Children's learning school opportunities should reconsider their motivation or rather lack of.
Mark Warawa's recent householder is an interesting read in light of the South Carvolth closure.
www.markwarawa.com/PDF/HOUSEHOLDER.pdf
“I was very impressed with the environmental curriculum at South Carvolth, it’s unique to the extent that it is the only elementary school in Western Canada with a curriculum devoted to the environment,”
“I was very pleased to see the dedication of the staff, the of the school on the environment, and the involvement parents. It’s easy for them to be involved and to incorporate the lessons learned at school into their own homes.”
“I was very excited to see the education they are receiving, it is first class,”
I agree about Mark Warawa's householder. Every time I see his latest news about earth-day, or "nominate an environmental hero", I just shake my head and think that, in one respect at least, it's not Mark.
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