S.O.S (Save our school)

The life of a tremendous support in my life - one my family connects with every day - is threatened.

It's our neighbourhood school. The superintendent is recommending it for review for possible closure in spring 09. Before the trustees vote on the review on June 19, the parents get their say (June 11).

I've actually walked away from some writing assignments to devote myself to saving the school, by writing persuasive speeches, letters to the editor, etc. But the words don't come. Just the tears.

I don't want to give up. Those who have been through a review say schools that don't fight get closed everytime. It's just hard to think when it's so close to home. (Just down the block, actually).

And when we have so few answers. Like, why our school? Yes, it's small, but so are many other schools, and ours is the newest and cheapest facility to maintain. And registrations are way up for next year - the highest Kindergarten enrollment we've had in years. And what would happen to our children if they close Dr. Penner? We'd probably have to walk them twice as far, across a busy street, to a bigger school where no one knows their name.

You don't euthanize a healthy horse. You'd think the same would apply to a school.

If you pray, pray for our school. Something so full of life should not be condemned to die.