To the Editor,
Prior to 1989, Woodlands Secondary School was Woodlands Junior Secondary School.
In 1988 and 1989 the Nanaimo school district reorganized and three junior highs – Wellington, Woodlands and John Barsby – became secondary schools.
When Woodlands began offering Grade 12 courses, calculus 12 was one of them and has been offered ever since.
There is a provincial curriculum for calculus 12 that the Woodlands course followed. Students enrolled in calculus would eventually enter post-secondary institutions to study further in mathematics, science, engineering, medicine, economics, or business.
Taking calculus 12 at Woodlands prepared students for their university courses, allowing them to preview a challenging subject within the familiar environment of high school.
This coming spring, Woodlands will not offer calculus 12 for the first time in 24 years. The provincial government trumpets a vision of flexibility and choice, but sadly, chronic underfunding has resulted in fewer choices for our students.
Denise Wood
Nanaimo
