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Orleans Wood / Terry Fox Public Information Session

Orleans Wood / Terry Fox Public Information Session. Education Options for Parents 5 November, 2009. Agenda. Background - what are we trying to fix? Options considered Recommendation Next Steps Discussion/Questions. Introduction.

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Orleans Wood / Terry Fox Public Information Session

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  1. Orleans Wood / Terry FoxPublic Information Session Education Options for Parents 5 November, 2009

  2. Agenda • Background - what are we trying to fix? • Options considered • Recommendation • Next Steps • Discussion/Questions

  3. Introduction • Review was initiated by OCSDB following discussions between Terry Fox (TF) and Orleans Woods (OW) School Councils • “Root cause” of concern was declining enrolment at both schools, especially in core English Program where triple grade splits are a very real possibility and double splits are common.

  4. Background • Declining enrolment at both schools due to demographic changes • Schools are located in a mature community • Families are having less children • Competition from other school boards • Regeneration is occurring, but not likely to change numbers • Decline stabilized but minimal growth likely

  5. Background - demographics

  6. Triple Grade Splits at TF narrowly averted and likely to occur in near future Average class sizes are the lowest in OCDSB TF English has 9.1 students/grade (lowest) TF EFI has 11.5 students/grade (lowest) OW Eng has 14.7 students/grade - 11th smallest (of 54) OW EFI has 17.3 students/grade - 6th smallest (of 86) Background – effect on programs

  7. Considerations • Neither school has the ability to absorb the other’s population • A full Accommodation Review Consultation (ARC) would likely involve entire east end district. • This may not be a priority for OCDSB • Process (if started today) would take at least 18 months, likely much longer. • No change before Fall 2012 at the earliest • Ontario’s Full Day Kindergarten initiative means near-term closures unlikely

  8. Potential Options The Working Group examined four options: • Consolidation of TF and OW • Status Quo • Restructuring of Programs • “Parallel Programs” • OW (EFI JK – Gr 6) • TF (Eng JK – Gr 6, Eng and EFI Gr 7 - 8) • “Dual Track Grade Restructuring” • OW (JK – Gr 3), TF (Gr 4 – Gr 8)

  9. Pros: Keeps kids in community Better transition to Cairine Wilson (no “bleeding” to St. Matthews) Cons: Neither school has capacity to absorb other without major capital investment Competing priorities for OCDSB – study may not be initiated soon. Would take at least two years to study, longer to implement even if started now. Consolidation

  10. Pros: No change is good Cons: Triple Grade splits remain a possibility Children may have same teacher multiple years (maybe good, maybe not) Double-grade splits remain (8 at TF, 9 at OW in 2010) Status Quo

  11. What would it look like? • Using 2010 projected enrolment statistics and existing staffing allocations, the footprint would be as follows:

  12. “Parallel Programs” • OW to become EFI Centre • Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 • Terry Fox to become Core English Centre • Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 • Terry Fox maintains Grade 7, 8 programs for both streams

  13. Pros: Core structure of school unchanged Siblings (potentially) spend longer together Mentoring program remains Split grades greatly reduced (from 17 to 4) Should prevent triple-splits Cons: Children who move from EFI to English programs must change schools Smaller combined peer groups at each grade level “Parallel Programs”

  14. What does it look like? • Using 2010 projected enrolment statistics and existing staffing allocations, the footprint would be as follows:

  15. “Dual Track Grade Restructuring” • OW to offer both programs • Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 • Terry Fox to offer both programs • Grade 4 to Grade 8 Note: Grade 3 / 4 split was chosen as it is the pedagogical transition between primary and junior grades and is viewed as the most appropriate and logical point to do so.

  16. Pros: Concentrated staff resources (more teachers at each grade) Greatly reduces double splits (from 17 to 4) Should prevent triple splits Transition from EFI to English less damaging Should reduce “bleed” to St. Matthews in Gr. 7 Cons: Siblings change schools sooner Loss of mentoring program Dual Track Grade Restructuring

  17. What would it look like? • Using 2010 projected enrolment statistics and existing staffing allocations, the footprint would be as follows:

  18. Terry Fox School Council Recommendation • Each family will have a different perspective on what is the best option. • TF School Council took a global perspective, examining what made sense for the entire school. • The Dual Track K to 3 (OW) and 4-8 (TF) Option is recommended. • Parents must decide what is best for their children and provide constructive feedback to the Board on their preferences.

  19. Orleans Wood School Council

  20. Next Steps • Discussion tonight • 6 – 19 Nov – Community Feedback • 9 Dec – Business Services Committee • Jan – Presentation to Board • Jan – Decision communicated to public • Transition Work (if required) put in action • Sep 2010 – Implementation (if required)

  21. Discussion

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