Dear Senior Administration and Board of Trustees:
At this time the Central Fort George Traditional School PAC comes to you to request that you reconsider the closure of Central Fort George Traditional School.
The facts are clear to anyone wishing to read them that we are not a prime candidate for closure, we are a successfully-run traditional program in this district, the only traditional program there is. We do not cost you a huge amount of money like other schools in this district. As we are full and maintain a steady enrolment, even in a failing economy. Central Fort George traditional school was at capacity to the point we have had to turn students away this school year.
We understand the solution you are proposing in moving our students (our children) to Harwin. We feel this decision is to solve Harwin's major decline in enrolment. Our parents and their children have no desire to switch locations as Harwin clearly stands half empty for a reason. We as a PAC will inform you that you cannot count on the students from Central Fort George traditional school to fill the empty classrooms of Harwin or any other public school room. We do not threaten, but inform you that most parents are considering private education. Can our school district afford to lose their children to private education?
Our parents feel very unsupported as a program because if you really knew our program you would understand that this proposal is the kiss of death to a highly-supported traditional program.
It has taken years for us to stand as strong as we do today. Our program and our values were implemented by our school district 12 years ago. Since then our parents past and present have done everything in our power to support our program in which we have to constantly defend to its own board.
Our building is in excellent running condition and we will not let the excuse of an old facility be a reason for shutting us down. There are many older wonderful buildings through the world which are preserved, maintained and cared for. It is a sound structure.
It is equally sad that we are in a position to remind our senior administrators and board that Central Fort George has a valid safety concern as 5th Avenue has already claimed the life of one of our students. Has this tragedy been so long ago that Derek Howard is forgotten? Not us. The loss of one child is more than enough to send the strongest of messages. We fear our community and its children's safety are not being properly considered.
Please support Central Fort George traditional school, our choice program, and leave us to remain successful where we are. Please remove Central Fort George traditional school for your closure list on Jan. 26.
The Central Fort George traditional school PAC
Amanda Ireland, Patty Astorino, Angeline Urysty, Crystal Livingstone, Deborah Mamic, Pamela Ferreira, Filomena Stokes, Gina Harris, Jennifer Henderson, Leanne Harasym, Laura, Berkhoven, Nikki Arnold, Tammy Kitchen
