HELP SAVE THE PRIMARY BUILDING!

Although parents received a yellow school notice stating the decision was made, this closure is only proposed on the VSB budget and will not be accepted officially until June 2010.

So, let’s TELL the VSB that our primary building is not an out-building (as described in the budget proposal) but our children’s school!


Think of all that happens in the Georgia/primary building:

our kitchen for sports days, corn roasts as well as school-based food programs

our music room and gym space for the primary grades

our after-school eductional programs that draw in children from neighboring schools

our children’s lunch room

the REAL parents program which fosters community amongst our student's caregivers

resource staff teaching rooms

rainy day space for inside play at lunchtime

The Georgia/primary building has amenities that the Lillooet building does not:

washrooms for small children within the kindergarten room

low profile water fountains that primary children can reach

sinks in the classrooms to facilitate art and frequent hand-washing

sinks and soap dispensers that are low enough for small children to reach

in close proximity to the playground

school access to a non-staff room kitchen

Closing the primary building is said to possibly save $40,000 annually – but what will be the financial cost of moving the classrooms’ contents up to the big building? What will it cost to adjust sinks and soap dispensers and perhaps add sinks to classrooms? What will happen if our enrollment increases but we are at capacity?

Many options are available for the primary building that have not been pursued by administration. Having an after school care program in our school would not only offset overhead costs, but would also attract additional students and increase our school's enrollment. Having a daycare would be another option beneficial to the school as well as the community.

Unless we let the VSB know that our primary building is more than just an outbuilding and has potential for our community – we have very little chance of saving it!

Please email/phone/write our Vancouver School Board Trustees and let them know how important the Georgia Building is to our kids!

Dr. A.R. Lord's Trustee
Jane Bouey
Vice-chair, Vancouver Board of Education
Phone: (604) 345-4246
jane.bouey@vsb.bc.ca

Chairperson, Vancouver Board of Education
Patti Bacchus
Phone: (604) 250-1130
patti.bacchus@vsb.bc.ca

Vice-chair of Planning and Facilities Committee, Trustee, Vancouver Board of Education
Ken Clement
Phone: (778) 866-0317
ken.clement@vsb.bc.ca

Vancouver-Hastings MLA
Shane Simpson
shane.simpson.mla@leg.bc.ca
http://www.shanesimpson.ca/
Constituency:
2365 Hastings Street E
Vancouver, BC, V5L 1V6
Phone: 604 775-2277
Fax: 604 775-2352

Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy
Hon. Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid
margaret.macdiarmid.mla@leg.bc.ca
Constituency:
104 – 1245 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC, V6H 1G7
Phone: 604 660-7061
Fax: 604 660-7065


Please leave a comment, or contact the A.R. Lord PAC if you have any questions or ideas about helping to save our primary building.