Comments for Olympic School Closure Survey

Comment on Your Comments/ Survey Results by Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:40:13 +0000

What on earth are we going to do with our kids if they are not at school? Life is already a juggle between daycare, school, after school care and work. So wouldn’t you think during the Olympics when we are at full capacity everyone that is involved within our resort community will be working their buns off? Well of course, we can’t even fill all jobs now, so I expect this won’t just change overnight because the Olympics are in town! I would think that everyone in town will be working longer hours to cope with the demand that hosting such a huge event will require…..oh but hang on, I guess I better just stay home with my kids!? Talk about added stress on everyone in the community…..keep the schools open or tell us where we can send them that is a safe, secure, stimulating place where they can be involved in the Olympic experience, at minimal cost to us…..wait a minute…that would be school, wouldn’t it??

Comment on Your Comments/ Survey Results by Laura

Laura — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 05:58:22 +0000

Patricia (the comment above) could not have said it better!! but I’ll share my two bits anyways. When this was first discussed, I was completely neutral. I went to all the meetings, read the papers, all the letters and spoke with many informed parents to form my opinion. After spending hours on this, I now believe the School Board is simply paying ‘lip service’ to parents. Not one of the ‘experts’ have been able to answer the tough questions nor have I heard any parent give good reason for wanting the schools closed. What are the BENEFITS FOR THE CHILDREN (Olympic or Educational) of closing the schools? Mr. Vernon Jarvis suggested there would be a transportation issue for children. Sorry, not good enough! Thanks to those who have the energy to continue with this campaign.

Comment on Your Comments/ Survey Results by Patricia

Patricia — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:20:36 +0000

I don’t feel the board is being honest about their decision to close the schools. VANOC officials have stated they DO NOT need the elementary school space. Chris Vernon Jarvis, a Whistler trustee, stated at the last MPCS PAC meeting that if there are other options for renting out the space and generating revenue, the board will certainly look into that. It’s ridiculous that they are saying closing the schools is the best educational opportunity for the kids. In face, once you close the schools you lose all control over ensuring that each and every child has an Olympic experience. Keep the schools open, build the Olympics into the curriculum. Let the students experience it by taking them on field trips into the Village, etc. If the schools are closed, who is going to look after the children? They miss enough school time already with holidays, professional development days and so on. KEEP THE KIDS IN SCHOOL!

Comment on Thank you by john morrow

john morrow — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:51:31 +0000

Jim
stick to the issues, Olympics not provincial politics!

Comment on Your Comments/ Survey Results by Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 01:34:50 +0000

Does anyone really believe that the RMOW -KOTG program staff will really want to look after our snot nosed children for $10-$14/hr (if that)during the Olympics?
And where in an Igloo somewhere in the empty Rainbow Project lands?
This is going to be a great few weeks for those who do not have to work and can give their children the Olympic experience but unfortunately last I looked the children who currently use the RMOW after school and summer care programs have parents working their buns off in industries that only get busier when people come to town. I like the idea of having passes provided for local children but lets be honest does anyone really see VANOC or RMOW giving out non-revenue generating access? And what working parent can really afford to take their two kids to a movie let alone Olympic venue tickets at a reduced rate.
Lastly I know how great our teachers are but which of them is really going to want to spend the day battling the crowds in our little mountain town to hang out at the venues with 25 grade 2’s?

Comment on Your Comments/ Survey Results by Eric

Eric — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 04:42:46 +0000

Schools in session! If they want to rent the school send the kids to the Olympics at no cost to us. The teachers should take the kids, it would be a week long field trip. That would be an Olympic Legacy! What an education!
In the meantime the rest of us are working. Changing the spring break to a time slot when others are in school is a good idea…not during the Olympic time.

Comment on Your Comments/ Survey Results by John

John — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:47:37 +0000

Great, If the kids are out of school maybe I’ll be able to get out of town during a time that this town will be crazy !!

Comment on Thank you by Jim Barrigan

Jim Barrigan — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:05:52 +0000

The school closure proposal is the second disregard of Whistler’s working class/working-poor peoples. The disregard was when council skirted the issue of supporting raising the inhumanely low provincial minimum wage. The council loves to bounce around “sustainability” but when it comes to action they show their true colours. Shameful really.