Olympic School Closure Survey

We have 130 surveys completed as of 2 PM on September 25th.

Parents that will have children at an elementary school in Feb 2010 answered:

Do you agree with the decision to close the schools?

Yes, the schools should close during the Olympics. 41%

No, the elementary schools should stay open. 59%

We will keep the survey running until September 30th 2007.

Here are some comments we have received: (If you did not comment on the survey, you can add one below)

For our children to have joyess/ meaningful experience, They need to be at school ,at a day camp or progame where they learn what the Olympics are really all about. Bring in some athlete speakers to help explain why it’s so important, and why it’s such a great experience and most of all how we as a community can benifit from this for many years to come. After all, our kids are the future. And at these early stages of there lives, they are so easily influenced and motivated. And on top of all, They really need a positive enrironment at home. So if the schools close that will make home life a little tense, expecialy if both parents work full time. And during the games one parent has to take a leave from work. We will not only have “The world at our door step ” We will also have the Collectors at our door step, Because taking time away from work is not an option for most of us. Jason Rance.

se Olympics in town as a great classroom exercise to study and learn about them while they surround us. There will be more than enough opportunities for families to experience the events during non school times.

Bring them to various events as a part of ther school curriculum

I do not believe the elementary schools should close during the Games. I am not satisfied that transportation issues should dictate whether or not our school should close. I feel this position was clear to the school board at previous open meetings but elementary parent’s wishes seem to be being ignored.

I would like to see the kids at school during the Olympics. Alternative child care during this time is going to be a nightmare. There is absolutely no reason why the ‘Olympic’ experience cannot be built into their education. If parents want to pull their children out to atend events or have other Olympic experiences than so be it – there’s nothing wrong with that. Many working and non-working parents will be exteremely busy during this time.

I will be working during this time and am a single parent

If its the kids best interest at stake they should stay in school where they are safe and well cared for. The Olympics can be incorporated into the curriculum so every child can experience the excitement of the Olympics without creating undue hardship for working parents

If the schools MUST close due to constraints of space for volunteers and such, the Olympic Committee must then provide FREE daycare services for all grades in the elementary school system. Most parents will not have the opportunity to stay home with their children and why should the parents have to pay for daycare. As well, there was no mention as to how the lost hours will be made up.

For Elementary School aged children I think that to ensure that our children have a meaningful experience during the Olympic games the schools should encorporate learning & experiencing the games into the school curriculum. So many parents in Whistler both work & I’m afraid that having the schools closed & no affordable childcare options for many, will leave the kids at home watching on the TV – not the Olympic experience that I would want my children to have.

Anyone who expects things to be “business as usual” from Christmas 09 to April 2010 is delusional. The event is coming, get ready.

Make it part of school, not exclusive of school. Have teachers take kids to events with a focus on learning. Kids present thier findings for the class. Instead of cutting the kids off, help them to experience it. It’s a unique opportunity wasted if the school board turns thier back on it. Most kids won’t experience the Olympics unless the school board gets involved. It would be a real tragedy if the kids missed the experience because they could afford to go.

I am concerned about child care during this time for myself and many of my employees. We are hosting the games, therefore busy making it happen. We think our children will get more out of the games in the classroom, watching on TV and learning about the history and athletes. We will be too busy working to really allow our children to experience as much as they could in school. Please don’t forget, most of the people in this community work in the tourism business and as such will be called upon to service the event.

This is not a black and white question. The bigger question is what are the students going to do during school time? If VANOC/Whistler/Tourism Whistler want adults contributing to their utmost (ie: working) during the event, how are they going to do this if they have to take time off to take care of their children. I would like to know if VANOC/Whistler Muni/How Sound School District are going to provide programs during reg. scheduled school hours?

If the schools MUST close due to constraints of space for volunteers and such, the Olympic Committee must then provide FREE daycare services for all grades in the elementary school system. Most parents will not have the opportunity to stay home with their children and why should the parents have to pay for daycare. As well, there was no mention as to how the lost hours will be made up.

For Elementary School aged children I think that to ensure that our children have a meaningful experience during the Olympic games the schools should encorporate learning & experiencing the games into the school curriculum. So many parents in Whistler both work & I’m afraid that having the schools closed & no affordable childcare options for many, will leave the kids at home watching on the TV – not the Olympic experience that I would want my children to have.

Anyone who expects things to be “business as usual” from Christmas 09 to April 2010 is delusional. The event is coming, get ready.

Make it part of school, not exclusive of school. Have teachers take kids to events with a focus on learning. Kids present thier findings for the class. Instead of cutting the kids off, help them to experience it. It’s a unique opportunity wasted if the school board turns thier back on it. Most kids won’t experience the Olympics unless the school board gets involved. It would be a real tragedy if the kids missed the experience because they could afford to go.

I am concerned about child care during this time for myself and many of my employees. We are hosting the games, therefore busy making it happen. We think our children will get more out of the games in the classroom, watching on TV and learning about the history and athletes. We will be too busy working to really allow our children to experience as much as they could in school. Please don’t forget, most of the people in this community work in the tourism business and as such will be called upon to service the event.

This is not a black and white question. The bigger question is what are the students going to do during school time? If VANOC/Whistler/Tourism Whistler want adults contributing to their utmost (ie: working) during the event, how are they going to do this if they have to take time off to take care of their children. I would like to know if VANOC/Whistler Muni/How Sound School District are going to provide programs during reg. scheduled school hours?

I don’t know what would be a good solution that would work for everyone. I will have a child in GHE grade 7 and HSS grade 11, and if the High School is closed, but not the Elementary, how would I be able to see any events? This is a lose/lose situation. I would like to see the school year start in August, I would like 1 week less for Christmas, and would like the entire School Calendar amended for that 2009/2010. I would like assurance that the government exams dates have been changed and this will not effect my Grade 11’s post secondary chances. Now, am I from a different planet with these requests
It should be up to the parents, not up to VANOC. Those parents who can afford the time and money to take them out of school to Olympic events can do so. But those parents who have to work and/or can’t afford to buy tickets to Olympic events should be able to send their kids to school, and the kids obtain a proper education. Those who miss school will have to do extra homework to catch up, just like any time they miss school.
I have one child who will be in Grade 6 and one child who will be in Grade 8. I believe there is a better opportunity to provide a meaningful educational experience associated with the Olympics if the children are in school. It is much easier to bring a group of athletes (media, judges, organizers, etc.) to the school to meet with a group of children than it is for individual families to arrange Olympic experiences for their children, particularly if the parents are working hard to help deliver the Olympic experience to our guests. Second, I have not seen a proposal from the school district as to how the lost instructional week(s) will be made up. I am not in favour of adding extra minutes to replace days. There is already too much of this with collaboration days, special school closing days, days in lieu, etc. Third, I am most concerned about children in the first or second year of high school. Too old for daycare, too young to volunteer. Will there be an educational or skills development camp like experience offered by the school district/community/mountain to keep them occupied and out of trouble, while their parents are working? It is unfair of the school district and VANOC to create a child care problem for local working families. During the school strike, RMOW was very quick to step in with a Kids on the Go program for younger children which addressed this need (though not the cost) but there was nothing available for the younger teenagers.
We could do some home schooling – and maybe one extra week into summer? The kids will probably never have another experience like this one…
The schools should make up the lost time by changing the March break as proposed and go one extra week into the summer holidays. ie: Summer holidays start the 2nd week of July.
What are working parents going to do with no school?? There will be no daycare options as those WILL be taken by the guests that come to our town as they have the money to afford what ever costs people will charge.
Ensure extra affordable day care. As a single parent of twin nine year old boys I cannot afford the afterschool programs here in Whistler.
even though i put “yes the school should close” i am not opposed to it being closed during that month instead of the normal spring break time, as that changes all the time. i am just worried because i work full time what i will do as everything will be so busy and finding care will be hard.

It would be great if the school board would consider Spring break at a time that the families can take time off together. With any busy period like the Olympics in the resort all hands on deck are needed

I think switching the March break time is okay – it deals with the one week of the Olympics. I would like to see the elementary schools reopen after the March Break. If opening the schools is not an option, we need to develop a plan for our children’s learning and supervision when parents are at work.
High schools – yes, close them! The students will make great volunteers (I understand VANOC is reviewing their policies and likely relax the minimum age). Also, Whistler, Squamish & Pemberton will need extra staff with a place too live (i.e. students). High school students will indeed learn a great deal if they are able to have a hands-on experience. Elementary School – Do not close them, at least not completely. Perhaps the compromise is to have some extra days during the Games. For these children to maximize learning they should be in school and the schools can theme programs and activities around the Games. In Torino, elementary classes “adopted” countries learning all about them and then and supporting them during the Games & schools organized trips to attended many of the Paralympics events. My wife and I both work & so do many other parents. It will be extremely busy during the Olympics and we’ll probably working way more than usual. If elementary schools close it’ll be a significant challenged to provide child care, plus demand will be at a peak level. Maybe check with child care providers to see if they can actually meet the demands. And don’t count on municipal programs, they’ll all be extremely challenged finding enough employees during the Games.
Kids should have a Olympic experience provided by schools . its too expensive for parents to do that. and most kids will be left at home while their parents work
I don’t mind the closures so much. It’s the lack of information on daycare alternatives that is the problem. I will be working during the Olympics and this proposal without daycare makes life very difficult. Also, I’m curious what the “educational opportunities” are that Mr. Walden refers to. Can the Olympics or school districts provide free tickets for the children with chaperones to the events? That would solve the daycare issue and provide an educational opportunity.
I would like to know what other previous Olympic communities have done and how successful they were. I have asked for this information long time ago. I believe it would be helpful to have that.

I would like to see the kids in school. They can participate after 3pm when they get out and weekends. It would be great if the kids went to school and then with their class went to events. the class learn all out the different countries and the sports together that way.

It sounds to me that there is no way that the elementary schools can stay open due to security and transportation requirements during the Olympics

have them do reports on the Olympics either how it affects Whistler and Vancouver or actually have them watch the Olympics and report on the games

The Olympics will make a great curriculum item which could be augmented with athlete visits and field trips.
If you close the school you must have child care available free of charge. Certainly the bulk of parents will be working during this busy resort time. It is unlikely that without assistance the children will have a meaningful Olympic experience as ticket prices will be $60 plus, meaning at minimum a family of 4 will need to fork out $240.00 for a half day event. I understand that in Park City the facility was rented out to an Olympic partner who contributed complementary tickets to the children. Municipal staff will be much too busy dealing with the stresses of the Olympics and staffing to fulfill this need. This is clearly the school boards responsibility.

I think it would be better for the kids to be in school doing Olympic related activities. Most children will not be actually attending many events or be old enough to volunteer.

Let them participate in the artistic side of the Olympics. ie; opening/closing ceremonies, live site village animation
Allow them to participate in some form of the games for experience and to encourage team sports in them at all ages
Under the current proposal, my son will not have an opportunity to experience the Olympic Games. As working parents, it is the expectation of our employers that we be fully available to work during this time. Unless RMOW offers childcare during this time period, our son will need to be sent away to relatives residing outside the area, meaning that he will miss the experience altogether. As a supporter of the Olympics, it is my desire that school remain in session, but integrate Olympic activities into the curriculum. For example, day of activities with out-of-town children travelling with Olympic family representatives; an opportunity to greet arriving athletes in the Athlete’s Village; group outing to an event. Let’s truly make this a lifetime experience for our children.

If the schools close there needs to be an option for daycare or a daytime alternative for kids. If the parents now need to take care of their kids that means they cannot work and they cannot volunteer and everyone’s experience is affected.

Normal hours during the Olympics, spring break in March as usual.

I support moving the spring break to the Olympic week, but I do not support the 2nd week of closures. I feel there should be a way that teachers, along with any volunteer parents, should be able to create a meaningful Olympic experience IN the classroom, combined with some olympic ‘field trip’ experiences. If the teachers/school administration and parents are involve I feel ALL children are more likely to get a better experience, as opposed to just a few fortunate children, whose parents aren’t working 12 hours/day.

I understand that the schools would need to close, however i am concerned as to what options will be in place for those parents that have to work during this time. it will add to the stress of our workforce during this time if our children are not provided for. I think the school & the Olympic committee need to help with coming up with alternatives.

I think it’s a good decision

The kids need to stay in school!

schools could organises classes to be taken to field trips to see events in the community as parents will most likely be working harder than ever to ensure the success of the games. Parents with kids out of school will not be able to volunteer or work the normal job that sustains the valley.

Rather than close elementary schools completely, have a shortened day – emphasis on learning should be the Olympics/Paralympics

There “must” be community programs in place for those parents who require care for children during this time, provided free of charge (AT LEAST FOR THE WEEKS THAT SCHOOL WOULD NORMALLY BE IN SESSION, plus a “reasonable” charge / normal Muni. program costs for the rescheduled spring break week )by the School Board/Muni/VANOC/Whist/Black. We want our children to be able to attend some events, awards & ceremonies, meet the athletes with ease and minimal costs…especially if they are too young to volunteer. This is a very special “once in a lifetime” opportunity for them living in an Olympic Venue and we need to make sure they can participate, be inspired and remember it as a great experience.

There is no valid reason to close the elementary schools. Working parents will be busier than ever during the Olympics, and those not working, might be needed as volunteers. With the schools in session the children will still have a wonderful Olympic experience, studying Olympic curriculum in the classroom, cheering for teams and athletes in their classrooms. If my children are not in school, then I’ll have to take vacation to stay home with them, but we’ll still be unlikely to be able to afford tickets to the events, so my chidlren won’t have an Olympic experience at all, except for watching it at home on TV. This is not what I consider to be a good option for them. In addition it means they go to school for 6 weeks after Christmas, have 2 weeks off and then have 18 weeks with no time off, until June, they’ll be exhausted, that is too long for a term. It is too disruptive, and the elementary schools ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT CLOSE

Have elementary children remain in school and have teachers build the subject of the olympics into the curriculum at an appropriate age level to those they are teaching. Parents still have the weekends to take children to medal ceremonies and event sites. If schools are to be closed the community will have to offer some sort of daycare for children that need it at a subsidised rate for parents otherwise working parents are going to be working long hours and be out of pocket to boot, they will not have a good experience from the Olympic games.

I wish to know what sort of daycare will be provided either via the school board or VANOC for local children of two working parents who due to our industries will be unable to take time off during the Olympics

Start school 15 minutes earlier all year.

Allow discounted tickets for the families affected by the closure.

I think our community has the time and the leverage to create alternative programs for our children during what will be an incredibly exciting time in Whistler. VANOC and the Muni can be “coerced” into helping fund and create meaningful programs.

I have been told I can not take any vacation during that time. In fact I will be working extra. If my child is out of school i am not sure what to do with her. The expense will be too great!

I do agree that the schools should close down for the Olympics. It would be nice to still have some sort of a break later in the spring. Would it not be possible to put all of the Pro-d days, Collaborative days etc along side either the Easter break or Victoria day celebration. There are already way too many of these days which end up making a lot of 4 day weeks. I know they would be losing valuable lesson time but there is also the thought of extending the school day by 30 minutes each day for the whole year. I think the students shouldn’t wait until the end of June for a break from school. Would it be possible to have some school involvement where the students are actively helping or participating in some degree?

would like to see extended class times to make up for the loss of 1 week of school time

i completely support the school board’s decision. I do not think it’s practical to conceive that school will be able to be in session while the Olympics are on.
Do not close the schools for an extended time during the Olympics. Maintain a regular spring break closure. There should be no additional closure days.

This is a joke the school board wants to rent the schools during the olympics. since their first idea didn’t fly they’re coming at us another way. the teachers want the time off with pay and I want to work too. Unfortunately in this resort town they haven’t quite figured out that we don’t want our kids out of school when everyone else is, we are a resort and “need to make hay when the sun shines” for us the sun is when the tourists are here. When the masses out of school our kids should at school. How can we have a meaningful Olympic experience? Organize school trips to Olympic functions and have these functions be credit time for education. The teachers can take the kids, the Olympic organization can give the local kids free admission and we can work. That would be a lasting legacy. And instead of us having to take time off work and pay for these event tickets our kids get to go while we pay for this pompous Olympics. The only way this could work is if our kids get free Olympic event tickets, chaperoned by the teachers, and school credit hours for attending.

I feel this will be a once in a lifetime experience for my family. I hope the children, in the community, will be able to participate in some way during the two weeks of the Olympics.

Keep them in school and give them projects related to the Olympics.

Business as usual. Don’t close the schools for the Olympics. What about Whistler’s working class/poor? We need to make a living and SUSTAIN in this town. It’s going to be very difficult to find child care in this town during the games. Not only that, with Whistler’s “employee shortage”, we’ll need to have all available/hireable residents on deck.

Would like to see extended class times to make up for the loss of 1 week of school time

I completely support the school board’s decision. I do not think it’s practical to conceive that school will be able to be in session while the Olympics are on.
Do not close the schools for an extended time during the Olympics. Maintain a regular spring break closure. There should be no additional closure days.

Wish that School was open and the curiculum focused on the olympics. They had Olympians come into the school, bus trips to see the arts activities that will be presented, went as class groups to sports events, realy had a chance to take advantage of the games being here. Who exactly is going to be free to volunteer or work during the olympics if we are all going to be looking after our kids and trying to find ways to get them into view the games?My kids will be in high School and HOPEFULLY they will have some opportunities to partake in some way. I am however very upset for the parents of elementary kids because if my kids were that age and it had happened it would have been terrible, I work at the clinic and I’ll be lucky to see the light of day let alone have time off!! Good luck to all the parents, I don’t envy you at all.

Some people will have to work during the olympics and will have child care issues. Since the schools will not be available, there is no reason why Kids on the Go would not be available as it normally is during any other school closure. For those of us who will not have to work, it will be a great opportunity to share the olympic experience with our kids

So far there have been no guarantees of an educational alternative during this proposed closure nor any assurances of free child-minding, which does nothing to alleviate my concern that we as parents will be left “holding the bag” when it comes to finding things for our children to do during the Olympics. Most of us will not be able to take time off work – so what daily activities are the school board/muni prepared to guarantee for our children, who is going to supervise the children as they participate in these activities and who is going to pay for this? We as parents should certainly not have to.

keep them in school and give them projects related to the olympics.

Business as usual. Don’t close the schools for the Olympics. What about Whistler’s working class/poor? We need to make a living and SUSTAIN in this town. It’s going to be very difficult to find child care in this town during the games. Not only that, with Whistler’s “employee shortage”, we’ll need to have all available/hireable residents on deck.