Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter to add my name to the large number of Osoyoos residents who are deeply concerned and very worried about the trustees with School District 53 possibly closing down Osoyoos Secondary School in order to help solve the district’s financial problems.
I would like to please request that all trustees consider seriously all other options in solving the financial problems, while keeping OSS open.
Prior to the construction of OSS, many people, such as parents, town councillors, school trustees, former teachers and students, worked very hard to ensure that we received sufficient funds to build a first class high school here in Osoyoos.
And we were successful.
We have a high school that provides a first class quality of education for our children.
Graduates of OSS have moved on to technical schools, colleges and universities and they have done very well.
Students also need to be involved in extracurricular activities, such as hockey, basketball, figure skating, volleyball, ballet, baseball, etc.
They learn things through these activities that the classroom doesn’t teach them, such as time management skills, working as a team, self discipline and dealing with success and failure.
Through these experiences, they emerge as well rounded students and people.
As a longtime resident of Osoyoos, as a wife, mother and grandmother, as well as school trustee, I am making a formal plea to our current school trustees to please consider all other possibilities seriously to find solutions to the district’s financial problems while keeping OSS open.
Why should you shut down an excellent high school that has been providing first class education for our students?
Our teachers have been very dedicated and have been doing their jobs very well.
My background gives me a better insight into what goes on in the classroom and in the school.
Please keep OSS open.
Thank you.
Joanne Mepham
Osoyoos, B.C.
