Pubdate: Fri, 03 Jun 2005
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 BC Newspaper Group and New Media Development
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Diondra Hall

ACCUSATIONS OF GANGS AND DRUGS AT WGSS INSULTING TO STUDENTS

Editor: I am writing in regards to an article published in the May 27 
edition of The Times.

The article "Parents pleas don't pan out," states that "drug and gang 
problems are exacerbated," at Walnut Grove Secondary School.

The person that said this was obviously uneducated.

I am a student at Walnut Grove Secondary school, and have been attending 
this school for the past three years. I am proud to say that I have never 
seen a gang in our school, promoting violence and carrying weapons, or 
intimidating other students.

I have been safely walking through those hallways for these past few years, 
having fun and being happy to be around friends, and never have felt that 
my safety or well being has been threatened. Every high school has problems 
with drugs, and it has always been that way, but overcrowding is not 
exactly a leading cause for that.

Every school, no matter how big or how small, will always have students 
that make wrong choices, but to imply that our school is drug-ridden is 
merely insulting. By saying that "staff can't adequately patrol the hall," 
it is degrading the ability of the people that work there to stop 
inappropriate activities.

I can easily say, that walking through the halls, there is never a time 
where I do not see a teacher on duty, looking out for the safety of 
students. If you are going to recognize Walnut Grove's attributes, 
recognize our amazing sports teams, clubs and the variety of opportunities 
we have to offer.

However, do not accuse a high school of having such problems as these, 
until you ask a member of staff or our students their views on our school. 
These are the educated people. These are the people that see what really 
happens every day, because they are part of our school community. These 
uneducated and false statements should not have been published, because 
they are untrue, and quite plainly, rude and obnoxious.

Diondra Hall, Walnut Grove

Editor's note - The statements in question were made by Trustee Dave Hall 
at the May 24 school board meeting, and were attributed to him in the article.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom