Dear Editor:
Re: “Now I’m terrified:” Mom fears changes at Alexander Mackenzie will leave son behind
Please circulate this email to all the board members of the Lambton Kent Board of Education.
My background includes 32 years as the executive director for the Huron House Boys Home, in Brights Grove, Ontario.
We accommodated many youngsters while they attended Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School. And following my retirement, I also taught at the college level at both Lambton College, Sarnia, and at Baker College in Michigan, for another fifteen years.
My experience at the Boys Home included assisting numerous young boys, ages 12 to 17, who attended Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School. Alexander Mackenzie was a Godsend for these kids. I see where the school board is deciding to shift the type of students (to adult education, etc.) and away from the former Alexander students.
In my humble opinion this is a tragic mistake. You can offer all the supports at the regular high schools, but you will not overcome the ridicule, the mockery, etc. these kids go through at a regular high school...preventing any real learning experience....before they eventually simply act out to the point of dropping out...and frequently become long-term behaviour problems and welfare recipients.
Please do not close Alexander Mackenzie!! And please stop sending students to the other high schools (who are unable to handle that environment) in your effort to make it appear there is no need for Alexander Mackenzie. You do know the need is still there....despite your directing many students to the other schools....to lower the enrolment at Alexander Mackenzie.
I offer my humble opinion in this situation....after having worked with troubled teenage boys for over 30 years....and I predict our taxpaying parents will be seeking another Alexander Mackenzie in the near future....after we have lost this one .... one of the few remaining such schools in Ontario.
Many thanks for allowing me to express my thoughts on this matter.
Ken Stothers,
B.Sc. Masters in Education, Doctorate in Education