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Merivale Area – South of Baseline Elementary Accommodation Study. Merivale ARC. Accommodation. Review. Committee. (ARC). Merivale ARC. Why an ARC for the Merivale Area ?. Sir Winston Churchill PS will lose about ½ of its 600 students to the new Barrhaven high school in September 2009.
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Merivale Area – South of Baseline Elementary Accommodation Study Merivale ARC Accommodation Review Committee (ARC)
Merivale ARC Why an ARC for the Merivale Area ? • Sir Winston Churchill PS will lose about ½ of its 600 students to the new Barrhaven high school in September 2009 • Carleton Heights PS and McGregor Easson PS have low enrolment making program viability an issue for students
Merivale ARC What Schools are Involved ?
Merivale ARC ARC Participation • Volunteer parent reps. from all schools involved • Principals from all schools involved • Volunteer Community reps. • Every meeting was open to the public Supporting roles: • Professional Facilitator • OCDSB Planning Staff
Merivale ARC Timelines • Board Approval to proceed with study – April 2008 • Formation of ARC – June 2008 • ARC public meetings – Sept 2008 to June 2009 • ARC Open House – April 1, 2009 • Public Input/Feedback – April 1 to May 8, 2009 • ARC Report to Trustees – June 15, 2009 • Staff Report to Trustees – Oct. 15, 2009 • Delegations to Trustees – Nov. 23, 2009 • Decision – Dec. 15, 2009 • Implementation – Sept. 2010
Merivale ARC The Valuation Framework • Value to the Student - 40 % • Value to the School Board - 30 % - 25 % • Value to the Community - 5 % • Value to the Local Economy
Merivale ARC Guiding Principles Developed by Merivale ARC • Sustainable solution • Close one or two schools • Minimal disruption to students • Look into additional programming • MFI program in the area • Consider dual track schools • No triple track schools • Keep divisions together • Space for daycare facilities in schools • Maximize value to students and community • Maximize community use of schools
Merivale ARC Scenarios Presented At the Open House • Scenario 0 – Status Quo • Scenario 1 – McGregor Easson and Carleton Heights Amalgamate • Scenario 2 – Merivale and Sir Winston Churchill Amalgamate as 7-12 • Scenario 3 –Sir Winston Churchill and Parkwood Hills Amalgamate as JK - 8 • Scenario 4 –Meadowlands adds Early French Immersion
Public Input re McGregor Easson / Carleton Heights Merivale ARC • General support for amalgamation • Community is strongly divided about which location to amalgamate to • Changes would be desirable to either building to adequately house the combined student body
Public Input reSir Winston / Parkwood Hills / Merivale Merivale ARC • Amalgamation of Parkwood Hills/Sir Winston received few comments, mostly in support • Feedback on Merivale as 7-12 divided between support and opposition • Little feedback on making Merivale 7-12 • Concern over program viability at Merivale
Merivale ARC Other Public Input • Adding EFI to Meadowlands received a moderate amount of comments, all positive • Overwhelming support to above all maintain existing childcare • Strong support to have childcare available at all primary schools
Merivale ARC Recommendations • McGregor Easson and Carleton Heights amalgamate as JK - 6 • Sir Winston Churchill and Parkwood Hills amalgamate as JK–8; EFI added at Meadowlands • Child care spaces be made available at all schools with primary grades • Middle French Immersion program is established at McGregor Easson/Carleton Heights or Century • OCDSB takes a lead role to make change easier
Recommendation # 1 McGregor Easson and Carleton Heights Merivale ARC • McGregor Easson and Carleton Heights amalgamate • 3 steps: • Locate initially at Carleton Heights; • Analyze further for final location of school (cost of renovations, availability of childcare); • Finalize for occupation. • Grade 7 and 8 at Carleton Heights move to Fielding Drive • Childcare: maintain or increase number of spaces currently available at Carleton Heights • Special education: Board staff determine best locations
Recommendation # 2 Sir Winston Churchill and Parkwood Hills Merivale ARC • Sir Winston Churchill and Parkwood Hills amalgamate as JK-8 school in the current Sir Winston building • Childcare: maintain number of spaces currently available at Parkwood Hills • Early French Immersion is added to Meadowlands; EFI students in Meadowlands catchment area move to Meadowlands (block move) • Maintain programming for grade 7/8 students at Sir Winston Churchill
Recommendation # 3 Child Care Spaces at Elementary Schools Merivale ARC • Have childcare spaces available at all primary grade schools • Maintain or increase number of childcare spaces in Merivale ARC area
Recommendation # 4 Middle French Immersion Merivale ARC • Offer Middle French Immersion programme in Merivale ARC area • Site options: • McGregor Easson / Carleton Heights amalgamated site • Century • OCDSB staff to decide on site • Consider location of 7/8 MFI program when selecting site
Recommendation # 5 Making Change Easier Merivale ARC • OCDSB must take the lead in creating a smooth transition: • Ensure effective communication • Ensure sufficient communication • Inform and educate parents • Address perceptions e.g. closure versus amalgamation • Recognize, address emotional needs • Establish joint transition committee • Offer joint activities • Work with parents and students
Merivale ARC In Summary • McGregor Easson and Carleton Heights amalgamate • Sir Winston and Parkwood Hills amalgamate • Early French Immersion at Meadowlands • Middle French Immersion • Childcare • Make Change Easier • Remember our Guiding Principles
Merivale Area – South of Baseline Elementary Accommodation Study Merivale ARC