March 8

Heard on the TV news - the official opposition intends to raise the issue of school reviews/closures in the Leg, I think tomorrow.

It's been a busy day today. Lots of information, and several letters, posted. The following is from Lorelei in Limerick:

An open letter to the board and administration of Prairie South School Division:

I have found myself thinking a lot lately about Hillary Rodham Clinton’s book titled “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”. Drawn from an African folk saying Clinton examines the range of persons who are active in raising a child.

So who constitutes a ‘villager?’

We do. All who concern ourselves with the well being of children ~ parents, families, friends, neighbors, doctors, teachers, lawmakers, clergy, trustees and the administrators of schools and divisions are villagers.

What might we reasonably expect from the villagers? We have every reason to expect that, since all have sought out, in one way or another, to be involved in the lives of children they will provide for the needs of the child for food, shelter, safety, health, emotional well-being, loving care, guidance in matters of education, faith and a healthy environment. In our country we can also reasonably expect that children will learn through teaching and example how to live and participate in a democratic society.

If you look at yourself you will see that virtually all of us have a roll to play in the raising of the children in our village. Many of us know the children of Limerick School intimately. We are the parents and families of the children of our blood and choice. Others of us know these children as friends and neighbors and many in this category love them as if they were of our families. Some of us know them because we have been given formal and legal responsibility for some aspect of their lives. We are their teachers, doctors, dentists, clergy, caregivers, and school trustees.

Many of us live our daily lives intimately or in close contact with these children. Others live at a distance and see the children in only limited situations. It is interesting to note that among all those who are members of the ‘village’ that are raising these children trustees and senior administration are the ones who have little or no contact with the children who reside in the village. Additionally they are also the ones who know little or nothing about the location or community in which the children physically reside.

So lets provide a little background about the Limerick and surrounding area in which these precious children and the rest of the “villagers” reside.

We know that the trustees and senior administrators who are part of the team in our children’s “village” do not know very much about us or this meeting would not have been scheduled for the middle of winter break. You see summer is a very busy time on ranches and farms and in the industry that serves them. Many families cannot see their way clear to have any sort of family holiday in the summer months. Instead they plan winter holidays for this break. They have gone to the mountains for skiing, to warmer spots for some rest and relaxation together as a family, or to homes of distant families for treasured family visits. If families are absent from this meeting it is not because they lack interest it is because promises have been given, plans have been made and tickets have been paid for. If winter break did not raise a caution flag for you surely the note on most calendars that this is Ash Wednesday should have. In this community we would make every effort to avoid putting major meeting on a day that is of such importance to many in the community. If you knew us or the children of this community you would have known this.

If you are going to be a member of the ‘village’ that raises these children there are other things you should know. Of course in knowing this village it would help if you lived here or in the area. Some of you will have to stretch your knowledge base a little for this.

You have seen the list of businesses and services that are available in and around the village of Limerick.

If you were going to live in this community it might be helpful for you to know that you will need to be sharp to find good accommodation. Houses here usually don’t stay on the market long. In the past six months four new families have moved into Limerick ~ three from out of province (although one of those made their way here via Swift Current) and one from Assiniboia.

If you do find a home in Limerick you will want to look for a volunteer job to do. That is a good way to get to know the community. You might try the service club, the hall board, the rink board, the recreation board, the co-op board or the boards and committees of the local church. You will find them democratically operated and attuned to the expressed opinions of the community. There is also our representation on the library board and the rural and village municipal councils. And of course there is the newly formed school council. Because we have such a strong democratic culture of participation in this community you should not have been surprised at our arrival at the community consultation meeting. Here community consultation means that we can all be there to speak our minds.

If you lived in this community you would learn how we take care of the children. For instance you would know that, when the centennial arena collapsed under snow load, community meetings were held where everyone had an opportunity to voice their opinion and where everyone had a vote in what became the decision to build a new arena (without any outside assistance) with a main goal of providing opportunities for our children to have appropriate winter recreation.

If you lived in the village you would know that our children are comfortable with intergenerational life. They count people of all ages as their friends and mentors and we count them as our friends. You may think that you were advanced in your thinking in having students on the school community council but the church here has had youth elders for years.



If you lived in this community you would know that parents, teachers and families provide a myriad of opportunities for physical, cultural and educational activities for their children. From 4-H through hockey, skiing, ball, oratory, church sponsored activities like winter and summer camping, to visits to museums, galleries and sporting events our children lead varied and active lives. We have a very talented music teacher who provides lessons of quality equal to, or better than, those available to children in much larger centres. Our children play golf, take swim lessons and participate in activities unique to rural communities. Two of our recent graduates did post secondary degrees on full scholarships won through academic ability and their athletic skills in rodeoing.

The Limerick School has a long-standing reputation for its academic achievements. Most of our students attend post-secondary institutions, many on scholarships obtained through academic achievement and athletic ability. Recently you received a brief paper from Ms. Onsescu framed around the benefits of community cohesiveness. Jackie has completed her master’s degree and is working in Australia for a year while she decides the merits of continuing with her PhD.

If you lived in this community you would discover that there is virtually no problem with obesity in our children. With adequate time to be outdoors in the village or on farms where there are activities in abundance our children are fit and healthy. And there is not ‘junk’ food available at every corner.

If you lived in this community you would know that we have very little vandalism because the children are not alienated from the community. They know that they are full, participating members of this geographical community.

If you lived in this community you would know that the children are courteous and friendly with seniors as well as with the parents of their friends. They are not alienated or absent from the community in which they live. All these attributes are indicators of a cohesive community.

If you knew this community you would know that the population includes many young couples with young children. These young ones are welcomed to the community with excitement, baby showers and gifts. Soon the population of our school begins to increase.

If you knew this community you would know that to remove the children from the community would tear the heart from us all, children and adults alike. Our lives will be diminished and we will be bereft.

We are in this enterprise together. We are the ‘village’ that is raising these children. You do not need to do this alone. You can include us in the task. You can consult with us. We are not stupid. We are not uninformed. You said you had a consultation process but you did not intend to really consult with us. You said that we set you up. But you really tried to set us up. You intended to use shock and awe to overwhelm our school community council. You intended to give us only a few days to marshal our resources, do our research and prepare ourselves for the motion to close our school. You did not proceed as if you were a resident of the village that is charged with raising the children.

You have tried in every way possible to isolate yourself from us and us from you. You know that the closure of our school will kill our village. You know that our children will be on the bus too long. You know that as our children are moved further and further from us the role that we will have in the lives of these children will be further and further removed from us. You know that those of us who are part of the ‘village’ that has been raising these children will soon have no role in their schooling or in many other aspects of their lives. And the children will be the poorer for our absence from their lives.

If you don’t you should know that the education, health, emotional and spiritual well-being of these children will be hurt if the move to close this school comes to fruition.
We have heard some of you say that this work is very hard. Have you searched your conscience to see if the reason it is hard is that it should not be done?