Whether here or abroad, we must stand for what we believe. Below, you'll find a letter that I wrote to the Minister of Education, Minister of Finance and Board of Trustees, as they consider the closure of my 2 young son's elementary school; a school that we've proudly been a part of for over 10 years! If we are to fight the good fight abroad, we must fight it at home as well. And whether we win or lose, at lease we will have been in the arena! Angie

Dear Honorable Ministers, Superintendants, and Board of Trustees,

It is with great pride that I write to you as a parent of the Dunach Elementary community of students, teachers and parents. Our family has been attending Dunach Elementary for 10 years, and it is without reservation that I present my case for Dunach’s continuance as a school.

Throughout the years, Dunach has modeled the very tenets expressed by The Honorable Steven L. Point, Lieutenant-Governor, in his Throne Speech of February 9, 2010. Yet, despite its excellence and unique character, Dunach Elementary is being considered for closure.

“There are fewer services that can do more to lift a child to the full opportunities of life than an unequivocally great education. That is our goal for all the children of British Columbia.” Honorable Steven L. Point, Lt.Gov. General

While it is clear that there must be a preservation and investment of capital in our educational system, it is clearly expressed in the Throne speech that such efforts “must be matched in our human capital if we are to secure and protect our grandchildren’s future.”

I am deeply saddened that while our government affirms that it stands by its commitment to strengthen families and children, that current accounting policy and management decisions actually mitigate and even take away such goals, rights and privileges for our children’s future. Lt. Governor Point asserts that “we cannot let accounting policy stand in the way of our student’s interests” or “hold back our” schools “from pursuing their unique areas of excellence in partnership with others.” Yet, the consideration for closure of Dunach Elementary represents such an obstacle.

We have been provided several facts and figures for Capital Plan costs. Much of the information was compiled from Facility Audit reports compiled in 2000 and 2004. This represents past data being used and creating a projection for current decisions. Enrollment numbers have been steady at Dunach for several years, yet the District has publicly expressed a present and projected downturn. Our Consultation process gives parents 9 days to review information presented and to compile submissions. Yet, not all information has been provided. While the Consultation Process may seem publicly collaborative, supportive and democratic, it is not. At a Parent Information evening hosted by School District #34 on February 9th, 2010, , School District staff said that various aspects of such plans were “in our best interests’” They were not speaking of student interests, they were speaking of their own, as duly noted and quoted.

The definition of consultation is, “a conference at which advice is given or views are exchanged; a meeting for deliberation, discussion, or decision. The definition of democracy is, “government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system; a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges. I would like to ask whose vested interest is being expressed by this consultation process and potential closure; It is certainly not that of our children.

Dunach Elementary effectively meets the intellectual, physical, social and emotional needs of our children. The Consultation Process which has been begun by our School Districts focuses primarily on enrollment numbers and capital spending plans. The Throne speech again stresses that “ongoing financial discipline is essential.” While the closure of our community school might be considered one such discipline, it is more than apparent that there is a greater need that exists. Our government has a moral and social responsibility as well. It is clearly expressed in the Throne speech that “strengthening families is at the centre of our economic and social agenda.” There is no strength in removing a community school that is thriving academically and socially to attempt to consolidate resources. Closing schools is a short term solution to budget challenges. It is only a matter of time before other such constraints surface, requiring further closures.

The Throne speech highlights a desire to improve education in such a way that “will focus on the individual and unique needs of our children”. Also emphasized is the need for “emphasis on parental involvement and on tailoring our education system to each child’s individual needs, interests and passions.” These aspects have been part of Dunach’s core values and education for years.

Dunach Elementary is a heritage school with traditional values. It is a small community school with 124 students. While it is not a large capacity school, in terms of numbers, it has what larger schools cannot offer; individuality and a tight-knit community. In a recent education journal, the author comments. “Many teachers and researchers believe that school size is the single most important factor in the success of public schools.” Dunach has exhibited a steady enrollment for many years. 80% of its population is out of catchment. Families travel from Langley and Chilliwack to attend our school; a clear indication that it is very much a school of choice. Dunach families have clearly indicated in a recent poll that Dunach’s closure will not divert them to catchment schools, but rather to other choices such as private school or home schooling. In effect, the money that the District expects to save will represent a financial loss in the long run. Merging catchments may increase numbers, but it does not knit a community together. To have the privilege of being in a school where every child matters and is known personally truly exemplifies the true meaning of capacity. Capacity building in its most fundamental pursuit of excellence is not a financial term, but rather a term of character development and human potential.

Dunach Elementary upholds the beliefs of the Vision and Mission Statement of the School District in all capacities. Its core operating principles exemplify respect, trust, integrity, teamwork and communication. Dunach rivals many schools in its academic achievements. This is in large part due to the excellence, commitment and deep care that students receive from their teachers. Most importantly, Dunach students are not just learners of facts and concepts; they are mentored to be broad thinkers, capable of reaching out to others with a view to making a significant difference in our community and in our world.

If “new forms of schooling will be developed to provide greater choice and diversity, centered on students’ special interests and talents”, then I propose for submission that Dunach Elementary be given the option to become, Dunach Traditional School, housing Kindergarten to Grade 8. Such a consideration will provide opportunity to all for “greater choices and diversity”. Such a consideration will open the doors of enrollment to Dunach Elementary as well as that of the Traditional High School currently seeking increased registrations. As well, extending Dunach’s enrollment to Grade 8 will not compromise an already wait-listed Traditional Middle School. It will also provide further opportunities for the wait-listed Traditional Elementary School. Dunach has the physical capacity to support such a transition. As well, it has core foundations already established that are in keeping with the Traditional model. Dunach Elementary has an abundance of resources, including a plethora of competent, creative and dedicated teachers and staff. A Traditional model for our school would be consistent with our current models for excellence and opportunity.

Honorable Ministers, we need the Provincial Government to be our advocate and to provide the funding necessary to keep our community school alive. We need change and charge at higher levels for our children.

In view of a strong desire to showcase excellence in our province, I would ask that we follow the Olympic motto of “believing” that verbal commitments made to our families and children will also manifest themselves with continued support and solutions; both of which will keep Dunach Elementary viable as our school of choice. I respectfully request and submit for an extension of 1 (one) year to competently assess and provide further details of such a proposal.

I would like to believe that a new standard of decisions can be made. I would like to believe that new forms of schooling providing choice and diversity, while preserving our existing heritage and excellence, can be attained without the dissolution of our community school. I would like to believe that your support of Dunach Elementary will represent one such decision that upholds the best interests of our children, our community, and our future.