I read with disappointment and confusion the letter to the editor from Dave Gregr [published Feb. 18] regarding the potential cancellation of Workplace Math 10 at HSS.Disappointment as it seems that the school district seems to believe that Workplace Math is in some way career-limiting for students.
For some time now, the province of BC has been encouraging students to consider skilled trades as a profession and funding many programs toward this end. My late father, Al Bird, was one of the first shop teachers at HSS, and I have worked in the skilled trades all my life and found it an interesting, rewarding, and well-paying vocation. My son is currently in the local school system. I would hope that when he gets to HSS he would have the option, should he so choose, to take Workplace Math.
I am also confused by SD 48’s move to cancel Workplace Math without meaningful consultation with educators and parents in the district. My family and I attended a math enrichment evening at HSS over a year ago that was sponsored by the district and organized and run by Dave Gregr and a math tutor from Quest University. The library was packed with families and Dave’s obvious passion and enthusiasm for mathematics education was noted by everyone. As a leading math educator in the district, I would hope that his opinion on mathematics education would carry some weight.
I hope there will be more input from the public before a decision like this is made.
Roger Bird
Squamish
