From:Reece Jorgensen Sent: February-13-14 10:32:45 AM Minister, EDUC EDUC:EX (educ.minister@gov.bc.

ca) To: Cc: BCCPAC; BCTF President's Office); teresa.rezansoff); kkrieger; premier@gov.bc.ca (premier@gov.bc.ca); tsullivan; dm.education@gov.bc.ca (dm.education@gov.bc.ca)

Hounourable Minister of Education Im writing to you today because I, like so many other parents, have concern that while parties seek to advocate their interests in the public education system we fail to truly understand what is appropriate for children in our Province. Parents and the Community have a right to expect that every child will have access to quality education provided in a fiscally responsible and cost effective manner. We as well have a responsibility to ensure that each student is provided the healthy and supportive environment necessary for learning. It is my understanding that playing a major role in human and social development is part of a quality education and I have concern that schools are unable to play that role effectively. I have participated with dedicated teams of educators in finding what is appropriate for children in the schools and district I participate with. The understanding and determinations of whether a class is appropriate for student learning requires consideration of more than just the assigned number of students and Individual Learning Plans. It requires considering all of the factors that are relevant to that classroom and standing by those determinations. I stand by the fact that a Classroom can only be appropriate for student learning when it has the environment, resource and support needed that will allow our children to challenge themselves and to be the best that they can be. I believe, in my community, we work towards supporting these determinations, but are unable to effectively fulfill them due to financial pressure. I believe these financial pressures come from governments reluctance to demonstrate leadership in evaluating closely, with partners in education, the needs of our system. I believe "we" need a serious and substantial evaluation of what is appropriate for students in our province, and to find ways to support those determinations. I ask that you provide me reasons in writing, for parents, that support your determination that boards of education have the financial support needed to play a major role in the human and social development of children, and that they our provided the financial support needed to allow our students to become top performers nationally. Sincerely Reece Jorgensen