Volunteerism vital to our public schools

The  history of our country and its people  records a  proud tradition of  citizens helping  each other through  the donation of their skills  for the well-being of  their community.

In fact, the creation of the community school concept in Flint, Mich. in the 1930s was based on the concept of the citizen participating and contributing to the education of the community’s children. 

I  am  concerned, therefore, regarding  the platform of a group of candidates running under the banner of the Victoria Public Education Coalition (VPEC).

This group, I gather, was founded, in part, by the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association. The group  pledges to “re-evaluate the role of volunteering” in our schools. 

As a former teacher and principal, I believe this to be a regressive step. 

Parents and community  volunteers  assist in  everything from helping to organize field trips, to coaching teams and reading to children.  The Greater Victoria School District has developed model guidelines  to guide  the activities of volunteers.

These guidelines were the result of collaboration between parents, staff and every union in the district.  I would urge voters to reject VPEC’s stance and to support candidates who value and encourage the role of citizen volunteers within our public school system.

Our  children provide  the continuity and renewal vital  for the success of  our community. Does it make any sense whatever to  reject the collective  wisdom and guidance that these parents and community volunteers  bring to the education of our children?

Maurice Preece

former principal, S.J. Willis, Spectrum, James Bay community school

Time to get traffic priorities straight

Re: Vic West to get update (News, Oct. 29)

Isn’t it wonderful that Victoria, like Esquimalt, is so rich with taxpayer dollars that they can afford to install high-maintenance centre boulevards, etc. and cannot afford to re-pave the streets that are so full of bone-jarring potholes?

It’s like a homeowner deciding to install a fountain and a babbling brook in his front yard after acknowledging that we’re in a recessionary trend and he/she may not even have a job next year. Oh! He/she may be able to get one of the new parks department jobs that the new boulevards will require.

T. Peasland

Esquimalt

Pitch tents on legislature lawns

It is truly sad indeed when our children stop playing in parks due to their safety and health being at risk.

It was hard enough to scour areas where our children play, for needles and used condoms, before this decision came down … now it is just going to be a “no” when (the children) ask.

Maybe the homeless should pitch their tents on the legislature lawns instead to make an impact where it should be made. I do not feel that it is humanitarian of our government or courts to say that it is OK for anyone to sleep outside in the cold with no access to washrooms or warmth. This is simply not good enough.

I pay taxes and it is about time that they are put to a good cause. I am pretty sure a great deal of our revenue is generated via tourism and believe me, at this rate locals already don’t want to enjoy the parks anymore. Are we to expect that anyone else will?

C . Schroetter

Victoria