Jun 02 2014Minister remains silent
HALIFAX, NS – Progressive Conservative Education critic Pat Dunn is calling on Liberal Minister, Karen Casey to act now to ensure Park West students are treated fairly.
In November 2013, the Halifax Regional School Board approved a motion to complete a boundary review for Park West School. Scenarios proposed to the boundary review committee include moving grades seven to nine to other schools in the city.
Parents’ groups have also gone on record indicating that their concerns are not being addressed.
“I have heard the concerns of numerous parents who have become frustrated with this process,” Dunn said. “It is the Minister’s job to ensure accountability and transparency in the process.”
A complicated and emotionally charged issue, Dunn is calling on Minister Casey to facilitate a meeting between the department, the school board, and concerned parents. He suggests with open and transparent dialogue, the best decision can be made for the children attending Park West.
“Unfortunately, the children are the ones who are caught in the middle of a conflict like this,” Dunn says. “Letting this issue spiral out of control shows a complete lack of competence.”
Diana Whalen, MLA for Clayton Park West, has not been actively involved in promoting a solution to this issue.
Thursday 26 June 2014
Dear Park West Parents,
Congratulations on
keeping your school community intact. I know this has been a long and
emotional process for many of you and I am glad the issue has been resolved.
Through your actions
and persistence, you have shown that Park West is more than bricks and mortar.
It is the center of an active and thriving community.
There are several
lessons to be learned from your experience with the boundary review
process. I am hopeful changes can be made to make boundary reviews less
divisive and more consultative.
Congratulations
again. Have a safe and happy summer.
Sincerely,
Hon. Jamie Baillie,
FCA, MLA
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition
Park West School will remain P-9!
"It takes a village to raise a child" quoted by board member Kirk Arsenault as he spoke in favour of the community of Park West. We are fortunate to have such a village.
HRSB Member Sheryl Blumenthal-Harrison represented her constituents, our community, exceptionally with this Boundary Review.
We would like to extend a special thank you for all your support with this very difficult process.
Board Members, Kirk Arsenault, Sheryl Blumenthal-Harrison, Christy Linders, Cindy Littlefair, Steve Warburton and Dave Wright, voted the motion of staff down to result in Park West School remaining P-9.
The community can finally rest peacefully knowing their students will continue at Park West School and that the battle has been laid to rest.
Six months of upheaval, a battle that seemed like a marathon that would never end, but the effort aided in accomplishing a result for our children that our community can be proud of.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO TOOK AN INTEREST IN OUR CHILDREN, STOOD UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN AND WAS HAPPY TO LEND A HAND WHEN A HAND WAS NEEDED.
Saturday 21 June 2014
Superintendent Elwin LeRoux goes against all recommendations and public input to steam ahead with
the TARGETED Plan to dismantle P-9 Schools.
Late Friday night the HRSB posted the staff’s final report and
recommendations.
In a baffling and unprecedented move, HRSB staff is recommending to the
Board that the work of the Boundary Review Committee and all public input be
ignored.
Instead, they are recommending HRSB staff’s preferred approach to Park
West – the removal of Grades 7-9.
The HRSB staff report contains no detail to support staff
recommendations and fails to address
educational benefit, safety risk, financial impacts, transitional impact,
renovation requirement, etc. and yet Mr. LeRoux and his staff are willing to suggest students are to be moved to
Clayton Park Junior High with no good reasons provided. Why?
Why pretend that the Student Advisory Council (SAC) has a legitimate
role in this process, and waste 12 people’s time and good will for five months
to simply ignore what they have diligently worked towards
recommending?
It appears a decision was made well before the review proceedings began
so, why pretend that the Parents and the Community members actually have a
voice?
Is Democracy being followed? It doesn't appear to have a place
with the Halifax Regional School Board.
The report is buried in the June 25, 2014 agenda, for your convenience,
here is the direct link to the report\;
As parents we entrust our children to the Halifax Regional School Board
to provide them with a good education and to consider their best interests.
This is not happening; we must stand up, speak out and make a difference.
We need everyone out to the June 25th Board Meeting and to Protest if
needed. This is the most important of the three day meetings.
If you are willing to speak, please request a spot for either the June
23 or 24th date with Selena Henderson by calling 464-2000 ext. 2324.
You may need to insist that you wish to speak and Chair Gin Yee has
advised the community that anyone wishing to speak will get the opportunity to
speak.
Please email everyone you know and ask them to come
out and support keeping Park West P-9 and Protest changing the school to
P-6. We need everyone in attendance
on June 25th, @ 5:30 PM. HRSB – 33 Spectacle Lake Drive, Darthmouth.
Thank you and see you on June 25th to save Park West School.
Friday 13 June 2014
Interested in Keeping Park West School P-9?
The HRSB Governing Board Needs To Hear From You!
Reserve your speaking spot with Selena Henderson - HRSB Corporate Secretary
902-464-2000 ext. 2324 by NO later than Friday June 20th.
Public Presentation Submissions will be on the following dates:
Monday June 23, 2014 - Beginning @ 6:00 PM
Tuesday June 24, 2014 - Beginning @ 6:00 PM
Final debate and VOTING will take place at the regular scheduled board meeting on:
Wednesday June 25, 2014 Beginning @ 6:00 PM
URGENT and IMPORTANT
The best way for you to ensure YOUR voice is heard and YOUR concerns are addressed is to attend, speak and show support for your child, our Students, our Community and our School.
Make your reservation today!
Tuesday 10 June 2014
Last night at the final meeting of the Boundary Review Committee, the
members voted to recommend Status Quo for Park West School. The vote was
virtually unanimous with a 12 for the Status Quo and 1 abstention.
When the Students, Parents and Community members finally got their
chance to speak, the Committee was overwhelmingly convinced that the school
should not be subject to change. The risks to the student’s safety,
effects on academic achievements, leadership opportunities, after school
activities, etc. were far more important than removing the junior highs.
The Committee could find no good reason to propose change for Park West
School.
The opportunity to bend the ear of the Halifax Regional School Board
will happen on Monday, June 23rd, at 6:00 PM and June 24th @ 6:00 PM. These are the dates set for Public Presentation submission to the Governing Board Members. It appears the Vote will be on June 25th at the regular scheduled board meeting. All parents, students and community
members are encouraged to express the same and more positive messages that
they did on the night of the public meeting for the Boundary Review Committee.
We need to inform all board members of the importance of keeping the
junior high in the community. Mark the
date on your calendars, and register your name with Selena Henderson at HRSB,
and Save Park West P-9 by speaking up and having you positive messages heard.
A special thank you to Janet Lee and May Elsherif, SAC representatives.
A job well done!
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