All students deserve the same education

Reader's Forum - To the editor:

The Cole Harbour school situation may not need fixing, but some improvement in what we offer "all our students" is what we need to focus on (in response to Cole Harbour School Situation Doesn't Need Fixing, The Weekly News, March 21.)

The only thing in need of fixing (in my opinion) is the attitude of the Chair of Auburn Drive High School Advisory Council.

To clarify "south of Cole Harbour Road" includes Colby Village. I, too, am a long-time resident of Cole Harbour, active in the schools (elementary, junior high and senior high) and also concerned about our school proposals.

It is interesting to read the slant of interest in the Auburn/Cole Harbour family of schools when it seems to affect the residents living "south of Cole Harbour Road."

Some clarity is needed. There are always two sides to every story.

When Auburn Drive High School was constructed in the centre of Forest Hills (north of Cole Harbour Road), boundaries were changed. Students living a stone's throw away from and within walking distance of the school were not able to attend Auburn Drive High. Why? To accommodate the bussing of students from south of Cole Harbour Road - Colby Village, to be exact. So, while students from Colby Village are bussed in to Auburn Drive High, students living in the immediate area of Forest Hills walk to Cole Harbour District High. Didn't hear any complaints from people living south of Cole Harbour Road then.

Let us not forget that those residents south of Cole Harbour Road also received a new junior high school - Astral Drive. Nice and new, with only one thing missing: a cafeteria. A cafeteria would lend the building to become a "bussed" school and students outside the bubble of Colby Village just may have had to be bussed in and attend Astral Drive Junior High - just a thought.

Any improvements to both high schools would, and should, be welcomed with open arms. All high schools should come equipped with the technology and trade shops needed to serve all students. It really shouldn't matter what feeder schools feed into the high schools. All students should receive the same opportunity of a good education.

I am appalled at the statement the Chair of Auburn Drive High School Advisory Council made that Astral Drive Junior High students tend to pursue academics, not trades - in her defence of not wanting those students attending the proposed new high school. Shame on you. The new high school will offer "academics," not only trades. You are sending out a terrible message.

This proposal will not deprive our children and their parents of the opportunities to interact with each other and will not have a devastating impact on the diversity of our school communities.

All residents of Cole Harbour (not just those living south of Cole Harbour Road), deserve the best in education and what it has to offer.

For the record, all three of my children attend/attended Cole Harbour District High School. Two have taken the university option and one will be pursuing the trades option.

Great success stories from CHDH! Academics and trades -what a great diverse education.

Kim O'Donnell Cole Harbour