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Korean trip a go for Bluewater school board director and chair |
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The trip is an initiative to bring Korean teachers and, eventually students, to the Bluewater Board area to learn English in an 'immersion' environment. After much debate, discussion and a demand for a recorded vote by Trustee, John Chapman, the trip is a go. The project was apparently initiated by West-Grey Mayor Kevin Eccles who approached the Director Mary Ann Alton with the possibility of bringing teachers and students to Bluewater on an exchange concept. Parent, Joe Grieco, spoke at the meeting saying that Mayor Eccles had said Blue Water seemed to be under fire of late and this might be a way to lift its profile. "I disagree," said Grieco. "I feel Bluewater must be good, not just 'look' good. The Korean contacts should know what has been, and is occurring in Bluewater, and not a sanitized version of what is happening."Trustee, Ross King, said that he fully supported partnerships and, in fact his own son had spent a year in Korea teaching English. "I am, therefore, fully in support of the value of this kind of exchange but, do we have any idea if there is event any real interest?" Alton replied that there have been three, and possibly a fourth, interested parties who want to meet with Bluewater. When questioned about the time and money expenditure that would be involved in the Korean Trip, she went on to say that she felt, in order for partnerships to develop, particularly with those of a different culture, an investment in both time and money were needed. Among those who disagreed with the trip being taken were the Student Senators (who do not have a vote). Brett Coburn, Braden Welz and Jake Breen all voiced solid reasons for their dissenting views. "The idea of partnership is great and I can see a lot of opportunity for diversity," said Student Senator, Brett Coburn. "I think though that the trip is frivolous at this point and I wonder if it could be arranged without travel. We need more books and have broken desks and seats so I don't feel our Director and Chair should be going to Korea when we have issues to deal with here in our own schools." As with most students fully knowledge with today's technology, Student Senator, Braden Welz, suggested the possibility ot webcasting meetings with Korean contacts or holding video conferencing via electronic media. Jake Breen, Student Senator, asked the very blunt question, "What is we want to accomplish with this trip?" Alton answered saying that the first potential, was the possibility of giving some part-time teachers the opportunity to teach during the summer months. "Hopefully," she said, "it might lead to some of our teachers going to Korea for one-year teaching experiences, having fee-paying Korean students come here for part of their senior education year and also it will give Bluewater students a chance to interact with students from another culture."
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Trustee, John Chapman, was the most vocal when it came to airing his views regarding the trip. "I have absolute and total respect for everyone who has spoken to this issue however, I do not support it. Of course, the world is a global community and we need to acquaint ourselves with other cultures however, the reason I do not support the motion has nothing to do with Korea. The issue is not the money. We need to look around Bluewater and realize the past 10 to 12 months have not been the best for Bluewater ... we are elected by our municipalities and have had many recommendations that we are implementing ... we are making progress and are moving forward but there is still work to be done ... Our house is not in order and you don't invite company when your house is in disarray. We are on a journey and I are in what I think is the third inning of the game but, certainly, not the eighth or ninth. We have an accountability and responsibility to our electorate in our communities ... therefore, I am asking for a recorded vote." The recorded vote was taken: No = against the Korean trip Yes = for the trip No: Ross King and John Chapman Yes: Jennifer Yenssen (chair who will go to Korea), Jan Johnstone, Cindy Aitken, Marilyn McComb, Tim Raeburn, Paul Wehrle, Margaret Gaviller According to Korean teacher and representative, Jenny Han, who spoke to the board, "We are looking for partnerships in Canada, the United States and the England. I found the environment in West Grey to be incredible. We feel the trip to be very important as an introduction to three or four Korean boards. We are looking for summer programs in 2010 with more expansion to come." In any event, it's off to Korea for Director, Mary Ann Alton, and Bluewater Board Chair, Jennifer Yenssen.
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