High school is a finicky thing to begin with. Especially when it comes to course selections.
Now...to make it even more of a challenge, let's have two under populated schools on either ends of the Downtown. The West. And. The East. Yes, school rivalries are always a delight to have, however this season the West doesn't have a Boys' Rugby team. The East doesn't have a Grade 12 Chemistry. Next year they are not running Fashion or Media Studies, perhaps not even Writers' Craft.
And many other courses.
Enrollment is down and it has been declining for the past couple of years in this area. There are not enough students to support two high schools each designed for over 1000 students. Classrooms are left unused. Entire hallways of lockers are left bolted. And a lot of classes are not running.
Would it not be best to close the older, slightly decrepit, non-wheelchair accessible school down and have everyone merge at the newer school of two floors only with elevator access, a greenhouse, spacious cafeteria, a track around the back playing field and a courtyard?
Well, probably.
But then there becomes school board politics which hardly anyone is 100% privileged to understand. If the members even understand themselves.
Regardless, the numbers are dropping and the population can no longer sustain two high schools without having any more cuts on classes, sports teams or over all education. A change is needed sooner rather than later.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Through The Smudged Window Pane
It's a Sunday morning. The birds are chirping, clouds are moving in and it appears to be a bit cool out. The people in the neighbourhood may or may not be up yet, but I know for a fact where it is most likely desolate.
Downtown.
All but a few stores are closed on Sundays, making it difficult for people who have today as their free day to support the local businesses. It is even challenging to find a good cup of coffee. (Unless you try the free sample at Ten Thousand Villages).
Even during the week, most businesses do not open until after 8am, thus making it impossible for a high school goer to browse shops in the mornings.
Our town is populated mainly by the aging population. Perhaps being open early or staying open late wouldn't benefit any of the businesses. But, if a trend could be created, that businesses make a pact to stay open later, would that work?
No.
It's been tried around Christmas season, again and again. Very few stores benefit, from what I've read and heard.
So... Does that mean the people of the town go to bed early, have a lot of shift workers, can't be bothered to shop in the downtown?
Most likely.
If only there was a coffee shop open for me to sit and stare out the window onto the barren street this Sunday morning, I would be there. With a slightly bitter taste in my mouth.
Downtown.
All but a few stores are closed on Sundays, making it difficult for people who have today as their free day to support the local businesses. It is even challenging to find a good cup of coffee. (Unless you try the free sample at Ten Thousand Villages).
Even during the week, most businesses do not open until after 8am, thus making it impossible for a high school goer to browse shops in the mornings.
Our town is populated mainly by the aging population. Perhaps being open early or staying open late wouldn't benefit any of the businesses. But, if a trend could be created, that businesses make a pact to stay open later, would that work?
No.
It's been tried around Christmas season, again and again. Very few stores benefit, from what I've read and heard.
So... Does that mean the people of the town go to bed early, have a lot of shift workers, can't be bothered to shop in the downtown?
Most likely.
If only there was a coffee shop open for me to sit and stare out the window onto the barren street this Sunday morning, I would be there. With a slightly bitter taste in my mouth.
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