This is defiantly the most viable plan for this issue. Closing schools in rural communities is not the best idea at all however here in Sydney, we have to many schools to close to each other in the city that could be closed. If Macleanan in Westmount closed, students would have no more than 5-10mins extra bus ride. Not to mention that French immersion students already make the trip to Malcolm anyway…
Read your article in the Herald about rural schools and fully agree. I posted the following on Facebook:
The provincial government continues to pursue the misguided policy of closing rural schools, thereby systematically destroying rural communities and forcing children away from their communities into large central schools with all their ttendant social, transportation and drug problems. It’s a false economy and the government needs to wake up!
The policies of the government towards rural communities need a serious re-think. Thanks for your contribution.
This could be a very successful model. The modest but wonderful elementary school in Greenfield, Queens County was built by the community and subsequently leased to the province/school board. Prior to this their old elementary school was under threat of closure. The community uses its school building for more than elementary public schooling. For example, it hosts a branch of the Queens County public library. The school is a cornerstone of that great community.
Hi Bill:
Maybe we should reconsider the idea of the rural school with a single well rounded teacher. I’ve heard many people, including my wife who won a Governor’s Medal for her academic achievements, a BA at McGill, and a CA certification, praise their Middle River, one room, one teacher schooling.
Forget the rural aspect. Give the schools back to the communities. Some communities (boards) will hire a principal to be in charge of the place. The only position the Department of Education would play would be to keep up the standard.
Your proposals come close to the US concept of Charter School.
I do not propose to argue the merits of the concept in the limited space herein but would direct attention to an article in the Wall Street Journal,Tues. April 16/13 at page A-3 wherin the concept is discussed.
Emphasis in the article is placed on union opposition,but we must recognize that the unions do not own the schools.Our first obligation is to the students and parents.and then to the community.
If charter schools,supported by grants to the community to operate them,is best for the community and concommitantly the community accepts the responsibility for their operation then give them the opportunity.
Do not let the NSTU block this approach.
There are many very competent teachers who would rather be free of the fetters of the union if discipline can be installed by the operators.–witness the Halifax Grammar School,Bedford Acadamy or Armbrae.
This is defiantly the most viable plan for this issue. Closing schools in rural communities is not the best idea at all however here in Sydney, we have to many schools to close to each other in the city that could be closed. If Macleanan in Westmount closed, students would have no more than 5-10mins extra bus ride. Not to mention that French immersion students already make the trip to Malcolm anyway…
Kenneth | May 29, 2013 |
Read your article in the Herald about rural schools and fully agree. I posted the following on Facebook:
The provincial government continues to pursue the misguided policy of closing rural schools, thereby systematically destroying rural communities and forcing children away from their communities into large central schools with all their ttendant social, transportation and drug problems. It’s a false economy and the government needs to wake up!
The policies of the government towards rural communities need a serious re-think. Thanks for your contribution.
Gerald Trites | May 1, 2013 |
This could be a very successful model. The modest but wonderful elementary school in Greenfield, Queens County was built by the community and subsequently leased to the province/school board. Prior to this their old elementary school was under threat of closure. The community uses its school building for more than elementary public schooling. For example, it hosts a branch of the Queens County public library. The school is a cornerstone of that great community.
Rob Tyrrell | April 23, 2013 |
Rob thanks for that highly relevant example.
Bill B
Bill | April 23, 2013 |
Hi Bill:
Maybe we should reconsider the idea of the rural school with a single well rounded teacher. I’ve heard many people, including my wife who won a Governor’s Medal for her academic achievements, a BA at McGill, and a CA certification, praise their Middle River, one room, one teacher schooling.
Michael J Monteith
Michael J Monteith | April 20, 2013 |
Wise words.
Rob Smith | April 19, 2013 |
Forget the rural aspect. Give the schools back to the communities. Some communities (boards) will hire a principal to be in charge of the place. The only position the Department of Education would play would be to keep up the standard.
gordon a.... | April 19, 2013 |
Your proposals come close to the US concept of Charter School.
I do not propose to argue the merits of the concept in the limited space herein but would direct attention to an article in the Wall Street Journal,Tues. April 16/13 at page A-3 wherin the concept is discussed.
Emphasis in the article is placed on union opposition,but we must recognize that the unions do not own the schools.Our first obligation is to the students and parents.and then to the community.
If charter schools,supported by grants to the community to operate them,is best for the community and concommitantly the community accepts the responsibility for their operation then give them the opportunity.
Do not let the NSTU block this approach.
There are many very competent teachers who would rather be free of the fetters of the union if discipline can be installed by the operators.–witness the Halifax Grammar School,Bedford Acadamy or Armbrae.
Bill | April 19, 2013 |