The days are getting colder, and less sunlight is beaming over my high school, Belmont. While it has been agreed upon by most politicians, including our MLA, John Horgan, it desperately needs to be replaced, the current government has yet to change that for the aging structure. In the past, it was in the fall and winter that the true problems with it become increasingly apparent, and this year is no different.
Just a few weeks ago, numerous leaks occurred during the first significant rainfall of the season. The school's solution: throw garbage bins to collect the water. Ever since then a pool of water has relaxed on the roof failing to be effectively routed or evaporate even during the few days where the sun graces its rays. That must be great for mould. Along with this is the fluctuating temperature of the building. One end's humidity will alter only due to the weather outside. While the winter makes for miserable days over on the south wing, the summer days make up for it during those heat waves. This along with the presence of numerous rat holes, whose occupants most likely will make a resurgence in population near the cooking rooms in the spring. This is our school every day from Monday to Friday. Oh, did I forget to mention the duct tape concealing the holes in the floor, the asbestos in the walls, or the lead in the water?
The school isn't in a second world country, so why is Belmont treated as though it is? In 2010, warning signs about the dangers behind those walls causing lung cancer shouldn't watch over the next generation as they attempt to get a decent education. It's high time we tear down this train wreck we call a school, and begin anew. It's time we rebuild a high school in the West Shore. Better yet, we should erect a new one elsewhere in the area as well to reduce the ease on the schools rapidly growing population of over 1,400.
The provincial government's response to these demands was that schools were in worse shape over in Surrey. Well isn't that great? Someone has got it worse than us! If this is true, then we should start praying for those poor souls on the mainland subjected to conditions we can only imagine. Victoria also pointed to a lack of funds for a new school. Here's a suggestion: perhaps if we stopped shuffling those jokers in Cabinet like cards, ceased our gold plated pensions and massive pay increases, we could pay for basic necessities like this. Many families in BC have taken a hit to their pay, perhaps it's time cabinet ministers and MLAs suffer the same fate.
Having been constructed long before I was born, let alone my parents, Belmont is not ready for a massive earthquake. Should one strike as the scientists have predicted, while classes are in session, the bloodshed will be enormous. This is a matter of safety. If the government does not listen, it will suffer the consequences. The time for excuses is over. In the words of John Horgan, a proponent of replacing Belmont, "... the time has come to build a new high school for the 21st century. Let's get on with it."
Belmont Secondary School is a place you dont want to learn at. It is literally falling apart at the seams and being roughly poatched up with duct tape.The government and the school district need to get their fucking asses in motion about this. My brothers have all gone to this school and we have all suffered from this uninhabitable piece of trash school. The teachers are great at what they do but the learning enviroment is unsatisfactory for any kind of education other than that of an estranged biologist. The government has been breaking promises as often as they have been making them. Highschool students are your future co workers, government officials, and even your future bosses. So quit making us live in such a shithole. We have sent letters, talked to people high up on the political ladder and yet our voices are still not heard. That proves to me that the government doesnt really give a crap. There are many other reasons why i do not (and probably will never) trust the government. They spent thousnads of dollard on making one tiny stretch of road seem nice in comparison to the rest of the town, but we cant seem to afford a school that isnt filled with asphestus, mould, and danger signs over our water fountains! thats right there are DANGER SIGNS over our water fountains! Anyone with ANY common sense could see there is something messed up with this school. Our floors are covered with duct tape, the ceilings leak ransid water, and oh i could go on! But why dont you get your ass off the freaking computer and go see for yourself. See what the whiney, pissy teenagers of belmont high are trying to say and GIVE US A CHANCE to make things right. We are your future so a little respect if you please.
ReplyDeleteSincerely
A Half Ginger Concerned Belmont Student