Petite for the Future
Donation protected
Petite For The Future
Help Save Petite Rivière Elementary School
Petite Rivière Elementary is a vibrant, progressive, award-winning school located centrally in Lunenburg county, west of the LaHave River. The school is located in the heart of Petite Rivière, surrounded by a farm, river, a natural playground and close-knit community. 72 children in grades primary through six currently attend.
The school acts as a hub for learning, recreation, celebration, creativity, community action and activism – not just for students, but for everyone in the entire Greater Petite Area.In 2013 the South Shore Regional School Board (SSRSB) voted to close Petite Rivière Elementary and the neighbouring Pentz Elementary, with the caveat that a new school be built in the area and that the schools were to remain open until a new facility could be built.
While funding for a new build was denied, monetary support was put forward by the provincial government to fund an A&A (addition and alteration) to either Pentz or Petite – thus maintaining an elementary school in the area to support the local student population.
However, despite this access to provincial funding, the SSRSB has stated they will move forward with their 2013 decision to close both schools, claiming they are legally bound to their 2013 motion for closures based on outdated legislation.
Abandoning the option of maintaining a local school, the SSRSB now intends to send children from Petite and Pentz schools to Hebbville Elementary School. This means long bus rides for children as young as 4 – up to 2 hours a day – inflating the number of students attending that school, creating over crowded elementary classrooms.
The closure of our schools means:
• A loss of local employment. PRES presently generates family-sustaining wages for 10 employees, including teachers, many of them long-term.
• Young children enduring long bus rides – up to an hour each way.
• Disconnecting youth from their community.
• Elimination of local community programming for children and adults.
• Overcrowded classrooms.
• Reduced family involvement in school activities.
• An empty building that becomes a burden to the municipality.
Long-term ramifications include:
• Reduction of young families joining the community/declining population.
• Decline in local community engagement.
• Diluted educational and support resources for children.
• Damaged community identity.
• Negative impacts on employment and economy.
The SSRSB insist that they are bound to their decision, based on a single legal opinion, BUT it is within in their power to rescind this motion. This was affirmed by Lunenburg West MLA Mark Furey as well as Education Minister Karen Casey (listen to CBC interview here ).
Our school can be saved, but we need your help!
Up until now, our cause has been powered by the passion and hard work of our team of volunteers. But, even with the efforts of committed community members, we require funds to obtain supportive legal guidance to navigate a legitimate, positive path out of the current situation. We are not pursuing a lawsuit, but require funds to obtain a freedom of information request, insurance, and cover start-up costs for the newly established Greater Petite Area Community Association.
Your contributions provide immediate help for our goals: to obtain legal counsel to counter the board's actions, and push for a fair and credible school review to keep school-aged children in their own community!
Monetary assistance also communicates to governing bodies, including the SSRSB that support for the school community goes beyond the immediate families that are directly affected by a school closure, and shows a commitment to promoting thriving, sustainable rural communities in Nova Scotia.
Our school offers more than publicly funded education: it positively influences the local population and economy while providing an accessible location for additional public services and community events.
Petite Riviére is a thriving rural community, and it is growing! Young families have been drawn in increasing numbers to the area and projections estimate that student numbers will reach 98 by 2020-2021.
Your contributions support this growth, benefiting families, residents, businesses and above all, young students, keeping them in their community and securing a dynamic, caring and progressive school environment.
The Petite Rivière community has been engaged in this effort for years, and donations will help us to increase our momentum into the crucial period of the next twelve months.
Invest in a child and the future of their community. We appreciate your help in whatever capacity you can provide it.
THANK YOU!
On behalf of the Petite Rivière students and community, thank you for visiting our fundraising page and for your generosity in supporting our mission. Every contribution helps to sustain our efforts in protecting this vital and very special school.
Other ways to support Petite Rivière Elementary School/ Petite For the Future:
Sign the online petition and be sure to share it with your friends, family & community!
Send a letter & follow up with a phone call to your elected representatives and media outlets. http://petiteforthefuture.ca/write-a-letter/
Connect with us on facebook to join the conversation and stay up to date on our mission.
Visit our website to read more about our story, read letters of support and for volunteer opportunities.
Questions? We are happy to answer any questions you have about our us and our campaign!
Help Save Petite Rivière Elementary School
Petite Rivière Elementary is a vibrant, progressive, award-winning school located centrally in Lunenburg county, west of the LaHave River. The school is located in the heart of Petite Rivière, surrounded by a farm, river, a natural playground and close-knit community. 72 children in grades primary through six currently attend.
The school acts as a hub for learning, recreation, celebration, creativity, community action and activism – not just for students, but for everyone in the entire Greater Petite Area.In 2013 the South Shore Regional School Board (SSRSB) voted to close Petite Rivière Elementary and the neighbouring Pentz Elementary, with the caveat that a new school be built in the area and that the schools were to remain open until a new facility could be built.
While funding for a new build was denied, monetary support was put forward by the provincial government to fund an A&A (addition and alteration) to either Pentz or Petite – thus maintaining an elementary school in the area to support the local student population.
However, despite this access to provincial funding, the SSRSB has stated they will move forward with their 2013 decision to close both schools, claiming they are legally bound to their 2013 motion for closures based on outdated legislation.Abandoning the option of maintaining a local school, the SSRSB now intends to send children from Petite and Pentz schools to Hebbville Elementary School. This means long bus rides for children as young as 4 – up to 2 hours a day – inflating the number of students attending that school, creating over crowded elementary classrooms.
The closure of our schools means:
• A loss of local employment. PRES presently generates family-sustaining wages for 10 employees, including teachers, many of them long-term.
• Young children enduring long bus rides – up to an hour each way.
• Disconnecting youth from their community.
• Elimination of local community programming for children and adults.
• Overcrowded classrooms.
• Reduced family involvement in school activities.
• An empty building that becomes a burden to the municipality.
Long-term ramifications include:
• Reduction of young families joining the community/declining population.
• Decline in local community engagement.
• Diluted educational and support resources for children.
• Damaged community identity.
• Negative impacts on employment and economy.
The SSRSB insist that they are bound to their decision, based on a single legal opinion, BUT it is within in their power to rescind this motion. This was affirmed by Lunenburg West MLA Mark Furey as well as Education Minister Karen Casey (listen to CBC interview here ).
Our school can be saved, but we need your help!
Up until now, our cause has been powered by the passion and hard work of our team of volunteers. But, even with the efforts of committed community members, we require funds to obtain supportive legal guidance to navigate a legitimate, positive path out of the current situation. We are not pursuing a lawsuit, but require funds to obtain a freedom of information request, insurance, and cover start-up costs for the newly established Greater Petite Area Community Association.
Your contributions provide immediate help for our goals: to obtain legal counsel to counter the board's actions, and push for a fair and credible school review to keep school-aged children in their own community!
Monetary assistance also communicates to governing bodies, including the SSRSB that support for the school community goes beyond the immediate families that are directly affected by a school closure, and shows a commitment to promoting thriving, sustainable rural communities in Nova Scotia.
Our school offers more than publicly funded education: it positively influences the local population and economy while providing an accessible location for additional public services and community events.
Petite Riviére is a thriving rural community, and it is growing! Young families have been drawn in increasing numbers to the area and projections estimate that student numbers will reach 98 by 2020-2021.
Your contributions support this growth, benefiting families, residents, businesses and above all, young students, keeping them in their community and securing a dynamic, caring and progressive school environment.
The Petite Rivière community has been engaged in this effort for years, and donations will help us to increase our momentum into the crucial period of the next twelve months.
Invest in a child and the future of their community. We appreciate your help in whatever capacity you can provide it.
THANK YOU!
On behalf of the Petite Rivière students and community, thank you for visiting our fundraising page and for your generosity in supporting our mission. Every contribution helps to sustain our efforts in protecting this vital and very special school.
Other ways to support Petite Rivière Elementary School/ Petite For the Future:
Sign the online petition and be sure to share it with your friends, family & community!
Send a letter & follow up with a phone call to your elected representatives and media outlets. http://petiteforthefuture.ca/write-a-letter/
Connect with us on facebook to join the conversation and stay up to date on our mission.
Visit our website to read more about our story, read letters of support and for volunteer opportunities.
Questions? We are happy to answer any questions you have about our us and our campaign!
Organizer and beneficiary
Greater Petite Area Community Association
Organizer
Petite-Riviere-Bridge, NS
Johanna Hayes
Beneficiary