Meeting Objectives
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Transcript of Meeting Objectives
Meeting Objectives
Meeting participants will:
* Have a clear understanding of the accommodation review process
* Have a clear understanding of the main concepts being deliberated
* Have a chance to provide feedback on those concepts with the understanding that their comments will inform the Working Group’s future discussions
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Meeting Agenda
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.* Overview of meeting objectives, process and agenda* Accommodation Review structure, decision-making process,
timelines * Overview of four(4) main Concepts currently being
discussed by the Working Group* Q & A for clarification
8:00 – 9:00 p.m.* Feedback sessions in cafeteria
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Working Group & Consultation Process
Working Group (WG) comprised of representatives of area schools and local community associations supported by Board Staff, Trustee and two(2) Superintendents
Two Community Association co-chairs (Amanda Farris, Stefan Matiation)
Weekly meetings since March
Consultation Process: The WG has identified four primary concepts for public consultation today The purpose of tonight’s consultation is to present these concepts, gather community
feedback, answer questions and provide you with resources for future feedback The WG will present its final recommendations directly to the Board in October 2013 Board Staff will present their own recommendations to the Board in October 2013 Board will make its decision in November 2013 (to be implemented for 2014 school
year)
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Working Group Mandate
The WG will:
• Strive to achieve a set of recommendations that will support the objective of alleviating the capacity issues at Devonshire and Elmdale Public Schools while providing students with local access to programs and balanced enrolments across study area schools
• Focus on solutions that will provide for at least five years of accommodation stability, minimize or eliminate the use of portables, support walkability and neighbourhood schools, and make the most effective use of District facilities involved in the area study
• Have regard for the implementation of Board-wide Full Day Kindergarten.
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Working Group Guiding Principles
Re-balance community school populationsRe-allocate space to match program demandEnsure a community-based solution, using community
schools Increase programming options across the Near WestMaximize walkability and safe access to the greatest
degree possible; minimize busing Work within the Board’s preferred, where possible grade
groupings: JK – 6, JK – 8, 7 – 12, 9 – 12
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Key Challenges
Demand for Early French Immersion (EFI) programs exceeds capacity of Elmdale and Devonshire
Declining enrolment in Core English (ENG) programs at Elmdale, Connaught, Cambridge; need to make ENG more robust
Balance of programs across Near West leaves some areas with gaps - no EFI in Dalhousie; no Middle French Immersion (MFI) in Hintonburg; no K-6 Alternative (ALT) between Churchill and Lady Evelyn
Small schools means no perfect balance possible Variables at play: relying on projections; other reviews underway or are
imminent (ALT; Far West; Special Education; Centretown) Pros and cons to single vs. dual track (specialization and reduced
marginalization vs. ease of family transitions; siblings together)
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Area Under Consideration
+11 CRs, 40%
+6-8 CRs, 60%
-6 CRs, 160%
-11 CRs, 143%
+3 CRs, 85% +9-19 CRs, 81%
* Percentages of capacity as of 2016** “CR” = number of surplus (+) or deficit (-) classrooms
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Lessons Learned
Surplus (+) or deficit (-) of classrooms is the best indicator of available space in area schools
Percentages of maximum capacity of each school does not tell the space story Classrooms that are not already used as homerooms are considered “available” Classrooms may need to be re-purposed to serve as homerooms
Enrolment numbers fluctuate from year to year, need to ensure cushion for future growth
Expected intensification of Near West; uncertainty of projecting future enrolment
Demand for EFI programming places pressure on schools that currently offer the program
No easily identifiable infrastructure available to provide relief Pressure is in the west, but the available space is located throughout the boundary Difficult to balance enrolments since schools are in close proximity to each other and
have limited space
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Concept A – Fisher Park JK-8 EFIwith Connaught K-8 ENG
- Fisher Park becomes a balanced JK-8 EFI (draws from Elmdale and Devonshire catchments)- Connaught becomes a JK-8 English with additional 7/8 programming- Elmdale ENG splits to Connaught and Hilson
Strengths/Opportunities Weaknesses/ChallengesAdds equivalent of a “new” K-6 school in Near West
Fisher Park and Connaught slightly top heavy
Top heaviness reduced at Fisher Park Fisher Park yard, school access and security still to be addressed as well as cost of renovations
Adds EFI program where there is demand Safety of crossing Parkdale and Holland
Reduces transitions for many students Are timeframes sufficient for renovations?
Creates a more robust ENG program at Connaught, serving a larger part of the Near West
Is a small 7/8 program at Connaught viable?
Sufficient classrooms are available to meet demand with room for growth – makes use of available space
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Concept B – Cambridge Dual Trackwith small Fisher Park JK-8
- Fisher Park draws from Elmdale and Devonshire catchments, but less from Devonshire- Cambridge becomes dual track JK-6 ENG/EFI (draws from Devonshire and Elgin catchments)- Connaught becomes JK-8 ENG; 7/8 is a feeder school for ENG & ALT- Elmdale ENG splits to Connaught and Hilson
Strengths/Opportunities Weaknesses/ChallengesAdds 2 EFI programs in the Near West Classroom availability is limited at Cambridge and
may not accommodate a full K-6
Increases EFI in Somerset allowing these children to stay in their immediate neighborhood + walkability
Safety of crossing Bronson
Reduces transitions for many students + siblings can remain together
Possibility of squeezing out special education and programs supporting ENG at Cambridge
Creates a more robust ENG program in the Near West
Viability of the 7/8 feeder program at Connaught; Does Summit program stay at Fisher or move to Connaught?
No Ports at Elmdale Suggested change does not alleviate classroom pressure at Elgin
Concern about dual tracking Cambridge
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Concept C – Connaught Dual Trackwith Fisher Park JK- 6 EFI
- Connaught becomes dual track JK-6 ENG/EFI to relieve Devonshire overcrowding- Fisher becomes JK-6 EFI; addition of EFI to relieve Elmdale- Elmdale ENG splits to Connaught and Hilson
Strengths/Opportunities Weaknesses/ChallengesNew JK-6 EFI at Fisher Park relieves stress at ElmdaleCreates new neighbourhood school
Top heavy Fisher Park (i.e. larger 7/8 population compared to JK-6)
Local solution for both Devonshire and Elmdale - two solutions for two schools
Safety of crossing Parkdale and Holland Avenue for some area students
Better balance of EFI across the Near West Does not fully utilize extra space at Fisher Park
Addresses desire for French programming at Connaught
Limited EFI boundary for Connaught, is it sustainable
Some Devonshire JKs can continue at Connaught Fisher renovations required to elementary school (cost, timing)
Gr. 7/8 Status Quo at Fisher Park (current programs remain at Fisher Park)
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Concept D – Connaught ALT JK-8with large Fisher Park JK-8
- Connaught becomes JK-8 ALT- Fisher Park becomes dual track JK-8 EFI/ENG; 7-8 feeder school without Summit- Cambridge becomes dual track JK-6 ENG/EFI
Strengths/Opportunities Weaknesses/ChallengesNew ALT JK-8 Program in a dedicated, non-co-located, new facility
Loss of cohesive Summit ALT staff if moved to Connaught, putting the viability as a true ALT program at risk
Improves program availability and program distribution across Near West
Support for new ALT program is unknown – do not know JK-6 demand and unsure of 7/8’s willing to transfer facilities
Provides community based solution for alternative learning
Results of ongoing review of ALT programs expected in September
All programs are robust (class sizes, grade groupings, funding)
Triggers an ARC which would require additional time
Fewer transition points for a greater percentage of children in Near West
Fisher Park yard, school access and security still to be addressed as well as cost of renovations
More balanced Fisher Park Classroom availability is limited at Cambridge and may not accommodate a full JK-6 EFI
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Other Concepts Under Consideration
Hilson becomes JK-6 ENG/EFI taking Elmdale overflow, Connaught becomes ENG/MFI taking Hilson MFI, Cambridge becomes ENG/EFI taking Devonshire overflow
Connaught becomes JK-6 ENG/EFI taking Devonshire and Elmdale, FP becomes 5-8 taking Devonshire and Elmdale 5 & 6s
Connaught becomes EFI only; FP adds JK-6 EFI/ENG dual track, or, Connaught ENG redirected to Cambridge, Centennial and Hilson
Connaught becomes dual track ENG/EFI taking Devonshire overflow and Elmdale keeps all portables
Other Concepts Under Consideration cont’d
Fisher becomes JK-8 EFI, ALT, G-EFI, Connaught becomes JK-8 ENG with junior seed ALT program, Cambridge gets JK-3 seed EFI in addition to retaining ENG or ALT could be swapped for MFI.
Concept C variations could include:- an introduction of a JK-6 EFI program at Cambridge
(phase-in starting JK-3), - Elmdale becomes JK-3 and Fisher adds 4-6, or - Elmdale keeps portables
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Next Steps
The WG will consider the feedback that is provided tonight and will continue to develop and evaluate concepts and scenarios
In September, we will return to update you on our work and to seek additional feedback
In October, we will finalize our recommendations and submit them for the Board’s consideration
Board staff will submit their own recommendations to the Board The Board of Trustees is the decision-maker Board Staff along with Community input will develop implementation
strategies
Thank You!
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Where to Find Additional Information
A video of tonight’s presentation will be available on youtube and on some websites of Community Associations (e.g., www.chnaottawa.ca)
Tonight’s power point presentation and other documents can be found at http://www.ocdsb.ca/Pages/FeedbackNews_NearWestAccommodationReview.aspx
If you want to share your feedback, express concerns or share your ideas with the WG you may do so at any time by emailing us at [email protected]