Our West End

Friends, Please see an email I received below from a representative of the Public School Board: "Fabio, I hope, by now you’ve seen the name selected for the metamorphosis of Century Secondary School….Westview Freedom Academy. It was a name that brought together a number of different suggestions in the name search….and it was developed very much by members of the community. While we were cautious about using “West” in the name, since we already have a Western Secondary School in LaSalle….the community, especially the students were adamant that some reference to the area be  prominent in the name…there was a great sense of pride in being associated with the west-end or the west-side, if you will….hence, Westview. Freedom came from a suggestion to align the school philosophically with a concept or perspective that resonated clearly with the community, of course the connection not only to the Underground Railroad but the nature of the area as a landing spot for new Ca...

Friends, Please see the email below that I received from a representative of the public school board. He is looking for community input for the new Forster high school. If you are interested, send me an email and I will forward it off to him. Thanks. "Fabio, I hope you have been following the activities at Forster and Century this fall….it’s been going well. Forster has adopted the theme “An Awesome Year” and I believe that positive, resilient attitude should be applauded. They had their much music dance last night and have lots of other plans. Our next step is to put together a naming committee for the new high school – I am helping the Director put this together, with, I hope, a group of creative people from the area who understand the importance of developing a strong brand for this school. Can you suggest some candidates….it won’t be an onerous exercise….just a couple meetings and some e-mail discussions. I want artists, entrepreneurs, people with marketing ...

Friends, I received the following email below from a teacher and Student Council Advisor at Forster. Please help the school by following her instructions below. Thanks! You have been a devote supporter of our school and I wanted to know if you could help us one more time? blog/Facebook.  Forster is closing this year but we have made a commitment to make it one awesome final.  We have entered a huge contest to win a concert by Kelly Clarkson and tens of thousands of dollars.  We need daily votes starting today until Saturday, Oct 26.  Please place this on your blog and spread the word to your Facebook friends.  We are also on Facebook under "Friends of Forster." Here is the link:   www.celebratemydrive.com   You need to select Windsor, Ontario (no postal code needed)  and then select J.L. Forster Secondary and then answer 2 safe driving multiple choice questions and make your commitment to safe driving. Thanks so much!...

Friends,  As you may know, Forster Secondary is slated for closure at the end of this school year. The Greater Essex County District  School Board (GECDSB) is working through the transition process and is running several events throughout the year to bring both Forster and Century together.  The closure of Forster has been a difficult pill to swallow for many, including myself. The community fought vociferously against the closure but unfortunately it wasn't enough.  If you remember, we held town halls, wrote several articles to the Windsor Star and other media sources and applied as much pressure as possible to change what many believed -- and were right -- to be an inevitable decision. With all that said, we now have no choice but to move forward and make the best of the situation before us. Our long-term goal of a new school west of the bridge is not forgotten and will be a priority in future years once there is more certainty with the boarded-up homes, am...

When I think of the past year, I think about how much we have been able to accomplish, but also how much more we have to do going forward.  From the good work in crime prevention and reduction, to the closure of Forster High School, we have had our share of ups and downs throughout the year.  Let us take a look at some of the key areas where progress has been made, where challenges lay ahead and where we are going, together, as a community.  Crime Prevention and Reduction The Bridgeview Neighbourhood Watch team is operating in full speed.  According to the group, they have contributed, either directly or indirectly, to nine arrests in the west-end.  In addition, they have provided Windsor Police with useful tips and information throughout the year.  In sum, they are doing great work.  I hope they receive more help in the new year so they can expand their information sharing and further assist Windsor Police.  Moreover, earl...

Friends, Just a reminder that the Ward 2 meeting will be tonight at 6:30pm at the Church of Ascension.  Hope to see you all there. As you may already know, the board of trustees voted to close Forster.  Over the past two days I have received messages and calls supporting our position to save it.  Once the dust settles, I will call a meeting and look at the options before us.  There will be more to come on the Forster decision in the near future. Regards, Fabio

Friends, The closure of Forster will be a huge setback, not just to Sandwich Town, but to the entire west-end.  See my recent Windsor Star article below and please get in touch with your GECDSB Trustees and MPPs. See my article here:   Saving Forster . Regards, Fabio Costante

Friends and West-enders: We need your help.  As you may already know, on November 19th, the Greater Essex County District School Board will decide whether or not to close Forster Secondary School.  If they go ahead with the Director's recommendation -- to amalgamate Forster with Century -- Sandwich Town will never be the same again.  A school is the heartbeat of a community.  Forster is an integral part of the fabric of the west-end.  It would be difficult to picture our west-end without this historic landmark.  Even worse, it would be difficult to grasp the fact that no school may exist west of the bridge. We just held our community town hall where approximately 50 - 60  residents attended (see picture below).  From current students, to parents, to folks who attended Forster back in the day, we had a great cross section of passionate and committed residents who all share on e common hope: to have and to keep a high school in the west-end. If ...

Friends, We are hosting a meeting on November 8 regarding the potential closure of Forster.  I hope you can make it and please spread the word with friends and neighbours.  See the communication release below. Save the Date...Save the School...Save the Community     Re:  Forster closure   Please join the open public information meeting to be held on:    Thursday, November 8, 2012 at  St. John's Parish Hall 3294 Sandwich St. W. at 7 p.m.   This meeting will provide important information in advance of the Board's meeting November 19, 2012, which will decide the fate of Forster High School.   More information will be provided Thursday, November 8, 2012 .   A full house is needed at both meetings.