1. A good education matters more than ever
"Public education is the most important investment we can make as a society. Our education system not only shapes individual student's lives, it shapes the very nature of our society" - Alberta Learning Commission.
People are more connected today. Global environmental challenges are more local. International affairs are more difficult. The world economy is becoming more complex. And when we think it can’t get more complicated, technological, scientific and social media advancements continue to push change at an unimaginable speed. It’s hard to reconcile all of the changes we are facing, particularly when there are many other everyday issues that we worry about – personal health, having a job, raising children, paying bills….etc.
It is only through a good education and a committment to learning that we will able to clearly think about and shape the world around us clearly, obtain the skills necessary to be successful in the workforce and develop the judgment to make good choices and decisions. When we are informed and engaged we are also more enriched as a community and more innovative and competitive as a country.
Protecting public education is the best decision you'll ever make.
2. Good schools build strong communities
"Schools and their locations have a tremendous effect on how communities grow." - Schools for Successful Communities: An Element of Smart Growth Report (September 2004)
Our public schools are the heart of our neighbourhoods. They're where our children go to learn and grow as young adults. They're also where neighbourhoods come together to support and celebrate the goings on in the community. Schools are irreplaceable elements of strong, vibrant communities and are important landmarks for creating a sense of place and belonging.
But today we need to work even harder than before to make sure older schools in our well established neighbourhoods do not loose their identity and newer schools in our ever expanding suburbs do not become so big they loose their appeal to parents who are looking for high-quality, individualized learning environments for their kids.
It's a difficult balancing act. But through your involvement at your local school, together we can ensure that our schools are able to better support our students and the communities they serve. Also, by working closely at the school board, alongside the City of Ottawa and with the Province of Ontario, it is my hope that we can also find more innovative, smarter ways of planning and building schools and linking public services in high growth neighbourhoods, while restoring historical school sites across the greenbelt and within the inner core of the city.
3. Public education is a public service
The Ontario government in 2009-10 is projected to invest $14.2 billion in education. This represents 12% of the government's total expenditures.
More locally, the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), the seventh largest Board by school population in Ontario and the largest district in Eastern Ontario, has a budget of roughly $700 million, which is used to teach over 70,000 students, employee some 6,500 teachers and administrators and manage 134 school sites.
It's a dynamic board and it's your tax dollars that have helped it become a board designated as a "school board on the move" by the Ontario Ministry of Education. Take the time to have your say about progressive education at the OCDSB and help me make our public schools better for everyone.
Getting involved in the dialog that affects your child's education is easy
