The Ministry of Education wants education and community services brought together in rural BC school districts and that’s exactly what Bridge Lake school parents say they already have.

Tanya Lucente of the newly-formed Bridge Lake Community Centre Association quoted from a provincial news release, which said “Neighbourhoods of Learning” could include early learning or child care programs, space for non-profit organizations, health clinics, sports programs, family resources or seniors’ centres, industry training or branch libraries.

She said Bridge Lake Community school already encompasses those services and she listed those programs:

• a play school program, after school care, pro-D daycare

• non-profit groups such as the volunteer fire department and local conservation groups use space in the school

• space for health clinics is provided for flu shots, AA meetings and grief counselling

• sports programs run year round with gymnastics, soccer, volleyball, badminton and floor hockey

• seniors meet once or twice a month at the school

• the Meals on Wheels program that serves 100 Mile and District is prepared at the school with volunteer cooks

• training courses for gun licences, boating certification, food-safe and first aid are held at the school

• the branch library is housed in the school

“We fulfill 100 per cent of the suggestions from the Ministry of Education on what the 21st century school should look like,” Lucente said in a press release.

The Bridge Lake group is trying to reverse a school district decision to reduce the number of teachers at the school and have two classes, each with four grades.

Lucente said, instead of cutting services at the school, the district should be tooting their own horn about the success of the community school at Bridge Lake.