a cheering competition...

So this evening i attended a meeting at my old stomping grounds about the possibility of the high school being closed (or sorry - there is an "accommodation review"!!). There are four high schools in the area that are basically competing against one another to be kept open. Every school has their own strengths and weaknesses obviously, and these will definitely be being taken into consideration. Things like the number of attendees, how many feeder schools and students from those schools are planning on coming to the high school in grade 7 or grade 9, what special programs the schools offer, how large the boundaries are that are providing students to the schools, the impact of the school on the economic well-being of the community that surrounds it, etc. There are so many factors to take into consideration this kind of decision is not going to be an easy one. But more than any other factor, guess what is going to have the most weight on the school board's decision?

THE SHOOL SPIRIT!

That's right ladies and gentlemen, after attending this meeting that was offered simply by concerned parents of the students that attend Adam Scott C.V.I., it was made very clear that the more support that the school gets at all 4 of the meetings to be held in April (one meeting at every school - same meeting different locations and times) the more chance that school has of staying open. This has become such a political issue that above all else, school representation at the meetings is the most important thing. Anyone and everyone that cares about the outcome of the school is encouraged to come to if not all, at least one of the meetings dressed in school colours just to be a presence.

Information about this issue provided to parents of the current students and the parents of the students currently attending Adam Scott's feeder schools is very restricted. None of the school board members are allowed to have any involvement in educating the people that it concerns the most. Therefore, meetings need to be set up by parents/guardians, and the only people in the school that can help the students is their own student council. Even a task as simple as sending a letter home to inform parents is nearly impossible as teachers cannot be involved. These letters basically need to be handed to students as they exit school property at the end of the day by volunteers stationed on sidewalks. The school has been making an effort to post information sessions and meeting times in local newspapers and on the radio, but some of the meetings are so last minute that even the school's receptionist gets the information wrong. How are students and parents supposed to fight for a cause they may not even know about?!

The 4 meetings that will be held for the board members to hear presentations from anyone willing to make them, will be held in April. The very democratic predictions from the board about the fate of the local high schools is that there could be a closure, there may be some partnering (ex. classes and community use of the existing building), or things may remain unchanged.

If anyone would like more information about Adam Scott's situation in particular, go to to our doors are open. I strongly encourage anyone that is reading this and has any interest in keeping this high school afloat to attend at least one of the meetings in April. I'll keep ya posted!