I am very upset over the current decision made by the Upper Grand District School board over the boundary review for French Immersion students from Rockwood now being shipped off to Brisbane.
Our family’s decision to move to Rockwood two years ago was based on our daughter attending school in Guelph for the FI program. We never would have moved here if we had known that she would be send to Brisbane and eventually Erin schools.
The distance is far too great for a 4-year- old to travel on the bus two hours a day, every day.  I know that they say it will only be a 25-minute bus ride, but they have not indicated or accounted for extra pickups along the route, which I assume there will be.  Never mind the fact that the kids will be forced to attend Grade 7-8 and high school at Erin as well. It is an even greater distance.
She will not get home until well after 4 p.m. and then is expected to have down time and to do homework as well. Currently, the children who go to Edward Johnson arrive in Rockwood at approximately 3:40 p.m. As a parent to two children under age four, 20 minutes is a world of difference.
I also own a small business in Rockwood.  If I choose to drive my daughter (even though my tax dollars go to her busing), I would have to close my store every day for    1 1/2 hours to get her. We live in a small town and most people would be understanding, but that is no way for anyone to run a business.
As it has been said before by many parents, Rockwood is tied to the community of Guelph, not Erin. We have no issues with Erin and schools in their area. It is a matter of distance; it is a matter of after-school activities; it is a matter of the environment (increased emissions based on driving to her school and then to Guelph for everything else).
As a parent, I have to look to her future education. How is she to get a part-time job when she won’t get home until after 4 p.m. Then I will have to drive her to a job she will have in Guelph. I see no job growth in Erin in 10-15 years. Realistically, she will have to get a job in Guelph.
To say I am disappointed to not enrol her in the FI program is a gross understatement.  I am disappointed that other options were not truly investigated. I am disappointed that this decision was rushed through in two months over the holiday season.  I am disappointed that Erin’s lack of student enrolment is affecting Rockwood children.
I do not believe that they will stop at the FI kids, and eventually all children from Rockwood Centennial will be sent to Erin as well. This is not just a ‘FI issue.’ It is an issue for all parents of Rockwood.
Lisa Clarke   Rockwood