Which Schedule Option would be best for our Students?

Hi all,

I am writing in response to the proposed options of the ferry schedule.

My son John is a grade 10 student at Chemainus Secondary School. Currently he and the other Thetis students take the 8:05 ferry to school, (a direct ferry); they return home on the 3:30 ferry out of Chemainus, which goes to Penelakut first and then continues on to Thetis. This is an entirely fair situation where both islands’ students have one 30-minute trip and one 45-minute trip each school day. 

When reading the two options set out for us to choose from, it would as a parent be an easy choice to pick Option 1, as it would best suit our students. However, when reviewing the two options, it seems that Option 2 would be a better schedule for the general ridership for both islands. My problem with the Option 2 schedule is that our students would be riding the ferry for 15 more minutes each school day and the Penelakut students would be riding for 15 minutes less, than they are now.  Which means that our Thetis students will be travelling for 30 minutes longer each day than those from Penelakut. 

This situation does not seem fair to our students. If Option 2 was chosen as our new ferry schedule, our students will be riding the ferry for an equivalent of approximately 39 hours extra per school year (I looked at the school year and made adjustments taking into consideration ProD Days, early dismissals, Stat holidays, and Vacation time) than the students from Penelakut. 

This concern has been forwarded to the FAC, and there is an easy solution to this problem. If the direction of the AM school trip is changed, then the direction of the PM school trip should also be changed.  This would keep the travel time fair for both islands’ students.  But it won’t happen without your input.

When you are completing the online survey, please take into consideration our students when filling out the comment section. 

Thank you,

Kathleen Thompson (Brown)