The program review update and discussion evening on Thursday, September 24th was very successful. Thanks to all of you who attended. There will be further meetings as the review progresses.
Part of the purpose of Thursday's discussion evening was to generate practical ways by which we can all participate in the review process. The following list is a starting point.
What can I do right now?
1) Write a letter! Email Jennifer Adams (superintendent of curriculum) and the other interested parties (both board staff and trustees). Express your concerns about the program review. Ask them what the basis for the review is.
Details of the concerns with the review that ASAC has identified, a summary that you can use as the basis for your letter and a list of email addresses are available at: http://programreview.asac-ottawa.org and http://www.ladyevelyn.ca/programreview
2) Express your opinion! Go to http://pages.overlay.tv/asac/ and record a message to the school board about why the alternative program is a vital to public education in Ottawa.
3) We need more help! We have identified specific areas that we need your help in. If you have experience in any of these areas, please contact us. The more people involved, the easier it is for everyone.
a) research/policy/legal
b) lobbying
c) media
d) producing a minority report
e) outreach
f) creative action
4) At Thursday's meeting, the students who were present put together a list of practical ways for them to participate. They identified a few items to begin with:
a) They will be making posters to put up around the school to encourage other students to write to the school board about their experiences at Lady Evelyn. We may also organize times when the children can get together to write letters in a group.
b) The students are very interested in making a video about the school. If the board staff and trustees won't come to the school, the students would like to take it to them and show a day-in-the-life of Lady Evelyn.
5) Keep up to date!
While updates and news will continue to be posted to the Lady Evelyn distribution list, we also have a smaller email list for those most interested in participating in the review process. If you would like to be added to that list, please email Annette at annettehegel@yahoo.ca
Updates are posted at http://programreview.asac-ottawa.org and http://www.ladyevelyn.ca/programreview
We also have a Facebook group, Alternative Schools in Ottawa: More Choices
Questions or comments about any of the above can be sent to programreview @ asac-ottawa.org
