Aé - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 26, 2003 \ . yo Stand up for the children and stop the four-day week Dear Sir: I’m not in favour of a CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD four-day school week. If we have to do this | would | hope Wednesday would be Th al B the day off. wo, a Wednesday may not fil in with the long weekend plans of some, but would be in the best interest of the children, especially the primary aged kids. As a parent of primary aged kids I feel six hours in school a day is enough. The school board is asking kids as young as five to attend school for seven-hour days with a shortened lunch period. I’ve even heard the poss- ibility of no gym class and no music. Many kids like mine attend extra curricular activities such a Guides, Scouts, karate and music. These are all important activities for kids to participate in. I'd like to know when these kids are going to find time for home- work much less a little time to play with Dad before it’s bedtime. These kids are not machines, they need a break. There are many other good reasons not to go to a four- day week. These are just some of mine. 7 I went to my first board meeting to point out some of my concerns and came away thoroughly frustrated. I was only allowed one question and my question, like most concerned parents’ questions, was not even responded to. In particular I found board chair Peter King's attitude toward the parents insulting. Only two board members actually appeared the least bil sincere. The board has said that they have lobbied the gavern- ment strenuously and I believe most of them, however what I would like to ask the board is why don’t they tell the government that they will not do their dirty work for them? If they don’t then the school board is no better than the government. I'm asking the school board to submit a means budget and not to change the five-day school week. You may Time to think out of the box Dear Sir: The plan to shift to a four-day school week is a prime example of “thinking outside the box.” I don’t agree with the plan on a couple of points, but how true is the state- ment: “If you keep doing the same thing, you will al- ways get the same results”. We may be a little arrogant in our western ways. Ca- nada has become the top quality of life location as a re- sult of the mix of people and ideas from all over the world. The surface is just being scratched for real innovation. Why do we close our massively expensive school sys- tem far two months every summer? Who gets two -_ " .... months: offievery summer? In this day. and age tea- chers take summer jobs, and they are encouraged “Why do we professionally to upgrade close our massive- their skills through summer ly expensive programs. school system for The four-day schedule dis- ruption claimed by parents two months every is real and will require ad- summer? Who ditional expense and effort gets two months to adapt. This disruption is off every faced every summer as par- summer?” ents scramble for proper care for their children. We could have a more dy- namic system that would better utilize the shrinking resources. The drop in re- sources has an even greater effect on children standing outside of mainstream middle class. First Nations children are currently achieving gradua- tion at a 50 per cent rate in B.C. 1f any other important process had this miserable success ratio, heads would roll, If you think ignoring this will save you money forget it. For white and non-white people there are hard cold statistics for those who don’t achieve some real success in school. The other three billion people in the world don't share our systems but have found ways to achieve extraordi- nary results. In most cases they have far less to spend on a per child basis. We have a great country that people are risking their lives to join, and 1 would like to have my children have hope for the future. ow Paget de te Gayton Nabess, Terrace, B.C. ESI FELLOTOCOO DBUYS in The, Classifieds] ROGER HARRIS |. SKEENA CONSTITUENCY: The Public Sector Unions say that tax culs have not paid for themselves, is that true? During the lust election we promised to give a significant tax cut to every British Columbian, and we kept that promise, We gave ile largest percentage tux cut to the people who ein 560,000.00 of less, This represents 40% of the population of the province. The remaining 14% of the population in HC still contribute ?é approximately 554% of all revenue that the avid province receives from income fax revenues. Tax cuts do pay for themselves aver lime, Tax cuts put more maney into the pocket of individual lritish Columbians across the entire - province, - More money in your pocket dets as stimulant for the economies of every communily and they work. Just about every financkal fastitution has-crediteéd tux cuts, low enemy costs and lox interest mites as-the-reason that. prevented! western econamies fron slipping inte an ecanomlc recession after September 11th, The Public Sector Unions say tax cuts were supposed to pay for themselves in one Year? ee : Mos, Yes, the untons have always made that claim, but we have never made it. Tax cuts are but one economie tool we afe using to bring this province out of the recession the previous government pul us in? }'am not surprised the public I sector unions would mislead the. public an this issue as they supported the previous government. 000° ees ogre : Reversing the trend of the previous goverment will take time, We remember, British Columbia became ‘a: have-not province over the last 10 years,’ Our communities were buil.on_ strong resources induslries, which provided high paying union jobs, community stability and a future for out children, These are the jobs that were driven out of ur provinces by the previous government, over 20,000 jabs in forestry done; thest ate the industries we are golng to rebuild, Phone: 250-615-4828 Emil: roger.harris.mla@leg.be.ca Website: www. rogerharrismlia.be.ca lose your jobs, but at least you can walk away with dignity. I would like all parent and concerned citizens to get involved. Start writing letters to education minister Christy Clark and the school board. Let them know you're not happy and why and that you're not going to go atong with this four-day week. It’s time someone stood up for our kids. Together we can and will put a stop to this foolishness. Clay Dunsford, Terrace, B.C. for less... save(}) foods 28 Dairyland | Milk. | | Skim, 1% or 2%, “ore | 4 Litres, First 1 MM nit | CO REAAPD YOUTESELE Present this coupon to the cashier at time of purchase. | Cannat ba cambined with any other coupon offar on this product, Coupon valid rar March 26 to 29, 2003. To the Cashier: Scan coupon. Place coupon in drawer. rl ea L 563640255 7'"3 ees’ wanes toe wm wineat nies) wll 4 Western Classics Coke or Pepsi Bake to Rise Pizza Also Sprite, 7 Up, Crush or a . ' Selected Varieti Flavourations, Selected aC sunny Delight ¥ elected Varieties, Frozen, Varieties, 24x355 mL rsssas-s 3.78 Litres so1e5 790 to 870g Fs8237-9 | Plus deposit, enviro levies where applicable. Plus deposit, enviro levies where applicable, card price card price card price 59 699 299 SO MUCH Mone IN STORE Prices effective from Wednesday to Saturday, March 26 to 29, 2003,