Concerned Bradner Parent Against Reconfiguration

Image Source - Bradner Elementary School Website - bradner.sd34.bc.ca

By Conny Corcoran,
​
Dear Trustees of the Abbotsford Board of Education and whom it may concern - without prejudice..

My name is Conny Corcoran and I have 4 children; 3 of which attend Bradner Elementary, and 1 which has graduated from Bradner's grade 7 class and attended Bradner since Kindergarten, who now attends DW Poppy. 
I am writing on behalf of saving our school's K-7 configuration. Kevin Godden cited in his letter from November 26, 2015 that "Parents/Guardians along with students and staff are 

important to this consultation process." So with that in mind, please take into serious consideration all the children, parents, and guardians, (along with teachers and staff) who attend these schools and would like for a "stable and consistent learning experience" to continue in the way that they have chosen. 

As parents, it is our responsibility in terms of education, to raise our children with an education that will work best for them; therefore, it should be up to us as parents to decide where and how to educate our children. 

Just like some choose Traditional, French Immersion, Fine Arts, or Home schooling, and those that can afford it -- Private schooling; I chose K-7 at Bradner.

I have specifically chosen Bradner Elementary to be the best choice for my children because of the fact that it does go to grade 7. It is the sense of community and the values that we instill into our children that sets our schools apart. It is part of who we are and somewhat of a culture. 

At your meeting on December 8th you cited mental stability and capability to be of utmost importance to students, and I do NOT believe sending my children into such a large sea of change at the age of 11/12 is at all appropriate for their mental stability. These are the years of so much change within themselves that they need the most stable environment that we can possibly provide. Familiarity and stability can do so much for a child's self confidence when they are already going through so much during their formative years and trying to find their place in the world. Putting them in unfamiliar surroundings and with unfamiliar peers during this time will in turn affect them academically. 

Kids benefit so much from being leaders and mentors to their younger primary groups. It goes hand in hand with building community. 

If parents want to send their children to middle school they still have that option. 

It seems as though there is an ulterior motive to your time line, as parents may not have time to respond, or be present at meetings; or be able to register their children at another school of their choosing within this time line. It seems rather like a ploy to direct students to a school (Eugene Reimer) that is not a popular choice, and in this way forces students in the direction the school board sees fit. 

I will not be sending my children to Eugene Reimer. The K -7 configuration is so important to me and my family that I will be looking to Langley district to fulfill this need should your agenda go through. 
​
Please decide carefully for the sake of my children and their future well-being as well as many, many others.

Sincerely, 
Conny Corcoran

---

You can help...

Join the Facebook group Save our K-7 Schools.

SIGN the ONLINE PETITION 

Please send LETTERS from yourselves, businesses or whomever from all of the communities affected! (the more letters the better) contact info below and spread the word about the meetings, POST SIGNS, lets get all demographics there from the all communities attending - the MEETINGS are:

Tuesday, January 19th, 7pm at Upper Sumas Elementary 
Thursday, January 21st, 7pm at Mt. Lehman Elementary
Tuesday, January 26th, 7pm at Aberdeen Elementary

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016, consideration (Board decision) of the reconfiguration at their regular meeting at the DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION/SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE - 2790 Tims St, Abbotsford, BC V2T 4M7

​Please send all correspondence and letters to: 

Phil Anderson, Phil_Anderson@sd34.bc.ca
Freddy Latham, freddy_latham@sd34.bc.ca
Rhonda Pauls, rhonda_pauls@sd34.bc.ca34.bc.ca OR boardchair@sd34.bc.ca
Stan Petersen, stan_petersen@sd34.bc.ca
Preet Rai, preet_rai@sd34.bc.ca
Cindy Schafer, cindy_schafer@sd34.bc.ca
Shirley Wilson, shirley_wilson@sd34.bc.ca
Kevin Godden, Superintendent, Corissa_Stgeorge@sd34.bc.ca
Trustee, Kevin Godden, Superintendent’s assistant: Corissa_Stgeorge@sd34.bc.ca
Abbotsford School District Contacts can be found here.