It shouldn’t take a genius to figure out that kids are better off when they are able to walk or bike to school, and don’t have to get onto school/city buses each day. Sadly, there are few geniuses at the Regina Board of Education. They want to take away more schools, in growing neighbourhoods, so more kids have to be bussed and crammed into schools like sardines. Our kids are not a school of fish! The RBE’s plan is a pile of Carp.
Ultimately, the only way to fight this is to elect a better board. The current board is unable to provide ideal learning environments for the city’s children. We also need a better provincial government – one that doesn’t cripple boards’ ability to provide schools where they need to be. On Nov. 7, don’t elect former RBE board member Russ Marchuck, running for the Sask Party. The choice is easy in his riding – Victor Lau who listens, or Russ Marchuk who doesn’t listen to parents and votes to close schools.
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Two things you can do this week:
Below is a letter on a ‘Design Regina’ theme that you can cut and paste and email to review@rbe.sk.ca
Feel free to add your own comments (like I did in stars). Please cc. to realrenewal@gmail.com
You are also encouraged to attend the public meeting on the potential closure of Dieppe School this Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011 at 7 PM at the school, 145 Dorothy St., to show your support for this important neighbourhood school.
Dear Trustees,
**The key points identified in the public consultation phase of Design Regina have identified walkable, complete communities as a keystone for Regina in order to meet the public’s goals. Closing schools runs contrary to the wishes of the citizens of Regina, and their voice should be respected, and heeded.**
I am writing to encourage you to help ‘Design Regina’ by supporting a shared vision of a walkable, sustainable, livable city. This includes helping unique, socio-economically diverse neighbourhoods like Dieppe and Eastview flourish and thrive. The last census revealed Dieppe is Regina’s fastest-growing community, while Eastview has the second-highest proportion of children under age five, after North Central.
Support for schools in these neighbourhoods will make Regina a better place to live and learn, by ensuring children and families remain in close proximity to quality community-based schools that serve as neighbourhood anchors.
Please support Regina’s neighbourhoods by supporting our neighbourhood schools. Do not close Eastview and Dieppe’s public schools!
Sincerely,
[Saskboy]
Regina, SK
Saskboy's Abandoned Stuff 