An interesting post was made on social media today by a concerned parent at Earl Grey School. This was after reading a blog post by a LaVerendrye School parent directed at Earl Grey parents about why they want this swap, and want it immediately. It is worth sharing because she expresses many of the feelings, concerns and fears that most Earl Grey families have, and for good reason.
Genuine concerns. Genuine issues. At this point, we have a desire by LaVerendrye School to swap with Earl Grey School, but very little information as to how this would actually happen. At this point, what we do know is scary enough. We know our Jr. High program will be taken away. We also know that we will lose connection with the Earl Grey Community Center that Earl Grey kids rely on heavily for lunch and after school programming. We know that the Earl Grey Early Childhood Education programs are licensed only for Earl Grey School, and some drastic changes, including renovations of LaVerendrye School and re-licensing will have to take place before that program can be moved, if it ever can be.
So, the knowns are scary enough, without even factoring in the unknowns. Earl Grey School has too much to lose. How can Earl Grey families do anything BUT oppose a swap?
My issue has never been the LaV parents. Most I have communicated with think like this one. However the problem has always been that all of the content of this letter are just 'ideas' at this point. Good intentions do not solve real concerns. Has the administration of LaV and Earl Grey and the WSD (Winnipeg School Division) actually sat down with floor plans and figured out real logistics? There are still a lot of unknowns and assumptions. Will LaV be full again even if they do go to Earl Grey? Will the WSD plan for future French milieu (LaVerendrye is a French milieu school) growth so it doesn't happen all over again? After LaV has the reno (vations), maybe Earl grey and the EGCC (Earl Grey Children's Centre) will fit but that still doesn't address the Junior High (in the proposed swap, Earl Grey would lose it's grade 7 and 8 programs). Will the WSD make catchment area changes so that our Junior High kids actually have a division school and aren't left applying and hoping to get in somewhere? I am opposing the swap not just to put up a barrier for the sake of it. If they actually go ahead with a swap, some real planning has to occur and these issues have to be solved BEFORE they vote. I want answers and to know what is GOING to happen, not just what maybe/possibly could happen. AND none of this addresses the fact that LaV is pushing for a swap this year (September 2015)! It is not possible to solve all of these unknowns by then.
Genuine concerns. Genuine issues. At this point, we have a desire by LaVerendrye School to swap with Earl Grey School, but very little information as to how this would actually happen. At this point, what we do know is scary enough. We know our Jr. High program will be taken away. We also know that we will lose connection with the Earl Grey Community Center that Earl Grey kids rely on heavily for lunch and after school programming. We know that the Earl Grey Early Childhood Education programs are licensed only for Earl Grey School, and some drastic changes, including renovations of LaVerendrye School and re-licensing will have to take place before that program can be moved, if it ever can be.
So, the knowns are scary enough, without even factoring in the unknowns. Earl Grey School has too much to lose. How can Earl Grey families do anything BUT oppose a swap?
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