March 8th – 2nd consultation SD #53 RE-Osoyoos school closures
My Name is BRENDA DOROSZ, life–long Osoyoos resident, OSS Grad, parent and I have many years experience on school committees.
I am Chair of a grass roots group that I formed – SAVE OUR SCHOOLS committee.
Since the media release, Jan 13th. I have continued to work tirelessly on this matter.
I have overwhelming support from our community and many across the province.
I would like to thank MLA Rob Fleming, for hearing my plea and accepting my invitation to attend this evenings meeting. I also invited Christy Clark , Mike Bernier and Linda Larson – all that chose not to attend.
In total we now have 3851 signatures online and paper petitions asking to keep both schools open and keep K-12 Education in our community. There are many other school boards across BC facing school closures. However, We, In Osoyoos, are currently the only community of approx.5000 facing potential school closures ! This is very WRONG !
I put forward a survey asking “ What would you do if OSS closes?” 39% have responded they will either move out of Osoyoos or their child will seek other education outside of SD # 53. According to Feb enrollment reports of 555 Osoyoos Students that would be approx 2.1 million. Therefore , half of those at 20% actually leave the district that is a further 1 million dollar loss to SD # 53. This could leave a HUGE number of families to be negatively affected.
I put forward two questions for parents:
1. Four day School Week proposal….overwhelming positive response from families and teachers
2. More blended course at the secondary level….overwhelming positive response from parents, the unique concern is for Provincial Exam courses.
We would like these two options investigated completely. OSS is already blending classes with very positive learning outcomes.
Here in OSS our achievement rates and Provincial Exam results remain at or above the provincial average. OSS achieved higher percentage marks than SOSS in 5/6 courses in 2014/2015 exams
This is Thanks to the fantastic teachers, admin and support staff in our OSS school family.
I think everyone in this room is very happy with the education their children receive in our community…AM I correct Osoyoos ?????
~ A few points to make….
At the time of the fire at SOSS the enrollment was 489 , why did the school board build to a said 700…That is simply NOT being fiscally responsible !! We have asked for official documentation, to support the capacity of 700, we have yet to receive this.
~ I would like to mention again the safety aspect of putting Osoyoos kids on the bus between Osoyoos and Oliver. Some children and parents do not believe the bus is safe. More traffic on that stretch of highway 97 is just asking for trouble. More youth behind the wheels of cars on a busy highway leads to increased accidents and injuries. Therefore parents may drive to and from Oliver 4 times per day. Depending on the car you drive , over the school year…that will add up to an extra $3000 per year for an Osoyoos parent to take their child to school. Outrageous !
~ Youth who feel safe at school are less likely to miss school and are more likely to have post secondary plans. Strong school connections=less mental health issues for students. Students in Osoyoos have a very strong family connection within their schools. As you have heard from students…kids look after each other here.
Okanagan students were more likely than their peers across BC to report at least one mental health condition. 19% of female students reported depression or anxiety disorders. 12% of females have thought about suicide in the 2013 school year ! 46% of female students reported being socially excluded or bullied at least once in the 2013 school year..wow…This will increase dramatically as students worry about changing schools !!! Parents and students are very very concerned of the potential violence of combining OSS and SOSS student populations. We were told the biggest concern at OSS is the kids leaving to Tim Hortons on break..well ..that is a fabulous school environment to place our kids in !!
~ Students missing out on extra-curricular activities is against the mandate of the Education Ministry to increase student physical activities daily. Our schools ecourage walking to school a form of excersize and an environmentally responsible choice, closing our school removes this option for families. In the media the past week, carbon emissions, putting 4 or 5 more buses on the road daily, this is a very bad environmental decision ! Youth who are dependent on busing to get to school are more likely to miss out on sports and extra curricular activities because they could not get there or get home. This accounts for 24 % of bus students in the Okanagan area. This number will increase dramatically if OSS is closed.
~ Another area of concern is OSS students may no longer be able to have after school jobs. Recent stats show 41% of youth work 5-12 hours per week. The two grocery stores in town have reported 18 student workers. That is 18 kids, at only one employer, that may no longer have jobs, to learn responsibility, and safe money for post-secondary education. We do not feel this is right !!!
~ When children attend school outside their communities it is very difficult for parents to volunteer at school, attend events, deal with any medical issues, and the parents don’t feel connected to their child’s teachers.
Osoyoos parents are very concerned about any emergencies that may occur during the school day. The extra 20-25 minute drive to Oliver in case of an emergency is dangerous. My son had an accident at school , an ambulance was called and I got a call from Mr. Safek. Well let me tell you ..that was the fastest drive with 4 way flashers on, across town to OSS. I cant even imagine if I had to get to Oliver in this incident, I would be putting myself and others at risk…and rightfully so…a parent of any child can sympathize with me….when you get an emergency call or even that your child is in the sick room at school….You drop everything, and GO as quickly as possible! Do you trustees want to be responsible for putting this onus on to parents?
~ Many viable options brought forward during this consultation process. Immediate cost saving s can be accomplished by eliminating Network Leaders , School Board admin can be streamlined, and Principal positions can be eliminated in every community. These three items alone could potentially save over $700,000 ! When eliminating the Network Leaders…It is NOT necessary to replace with District Principal, We need implement without for a 2 year trial period .There are other districts of similar size that function well with less Administrators.
~ We ask that at this time no more luxury retreats occur at Sparkling Hill Spa, we ask that no more catered meals occur , no more frivolous spending by this current School Board ! Most parents can not afford spa weekends and catered meals…we respectfully ask that this is halted immediately and the Board start brown baggin’ it to meetings – The first could be the PAC dinner in April. Save money to keep schools open! No more perceived conflicts.
Let’s drop all our rivalries and finger pointing – lets get to the table and show BC how its done! Safe our Schools Committee is waiting for the invitation to meet with SBO… We should set the bar high and show others how it’s !
YOU need to remember – OSOYOOS KIDS MATTER ! Education in Osoyoos should be a priority for these trustees!
Trustees your job is to do everything and anything in your power to keep Osoyoos schools open –if you fail to do this – then this Community of Osoyoos will do everything in our power to keep our kids educated right here at home !! Is School District # 53 ready to deal with their consequences?
Osoyoos has united – we ask the trustees to unite with us and SAVE OUR SCHOOLS!