Parents, pupils split on Port Stanley, Trudeau school options

Parents and even their children are divided on how, or whether, to reduce overcrowding at Pierre Elliott Trudeau French Immersion Public Schoolin St. Thomas by sending some pupils from there to undercrowded Port Stanley Public School.

During a public hearing on the subject to Thames Valley District School Board trustees in London, Tuesday, Dec. 15. Port Stanley Public School parents were emphatic in supporting an option that would divert West Elgin French Immersion students from PET to their PSPS, which has nine vacant classrooms out of 15.

Parents from PET were more fractured. Some wanted all Grade 7 and 8 immersion students from across St. Thomas and Elgin shifted to Port Stanley, despite concerns from parents in that community that would overwhelm their school with older pupils.

Other PET parents wanted no change made, considering a move worse than the overcrowding, while others supported the option favoured by Port Stanley PS parents.

The board is to make a final decision on Tuesday, Jan. 12.