LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ...Revitalizing GDHS the best route for school board

Dear editor, I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the recent Halton District School Board recommendation to fund upgrades to Georgetown District High School (GDHS) rather than build a new public secondary school in the south area of Georgetown. My eldest daughter has been at GDHS for two years and is truly enjoying her time there. In many ways the school reminds me of my grandmother in her later years; her mind was sharp but her body was failing. The broad offering of subjects and educational streams at GDHS is impressive, seeming to be able to extend an educational opportunity to every member of our burgeoning young labour force and future leaders. My recent visit for an open house allowed me to witness first-hand the love the teachers have for their subjects and the respect they have for the students participating in their classes. I also recently attended a drama presentation put on by a "lunchtime drama troupe"-- a small group of students who, at the inspiration of one of the drama teachers, met over lunch hour for a semester to see what they could create together-- it was great! Second to none, is the physical education program. The coaches willingly spend immeasurable hours developing their athletes and encouraging success. They even go beyond the call of duty when they extend this reach to the feeder schools in the area by mentoring up and coming young athletes. The music program is leading edge and the staff's enthusiasm is contagious to students who choose to learn and play instruments and then become part of one or more of the amazing bands at the school. It was also exciting to read in the local news about a recent graduate of GDHS who is completing her undergraduate degree at a U.S. university to which she is attending on a full academic scholarship. Identified as one of the bright young minds in the world, she has now been offered a Rhodes Scholarship to do graduate work in England. The facilities at GDHS are, however, old and faltering and in desperate need for upgrade. The GDHS administration is trying to invest both sweat and dollars to upgrade what they can. It would be wonderful to see the Halton District School Board fund the revitalization of the buildings, grounds and resources to make this facility leading edge for the present and future students and staff. I fully support my tax dollars going to this effort. Michele Proud, Georgetown