Delegate responses to the Interim Solution

Nichole, I want to thank you for an extremely well written delegate submission. You have included many points that I hadn't even considered! I am a parent of a 2013-14 JKer with an older sibling in the DSAP, so I was already biased in favour of moving the grade 6s because of the chaos moving younger children (who cannot walk themselves to and from school) has on young families, particularly those that need daycare, have older siblings at Devonshire, or both. We had been crossing our fingers that both of our kids would receive after school care at the same place next year as we are currently doing two drop-offs and pick-ups (with a car, yes) each day and it is not fun! While I recognize that there are many happy with the staff recommendation, and I'm trying to stay objective, I wholeheartedly share your concerns with moving the JKs to Connaught, particularly if the interim solution becomes longer than 1 year.

Good luck tonight everyone! I feel that you have all done an excellent job representing Devonshire parents and reflecting our concerns in these submissions. Well done!

They did. JKs are moving to Connaught.

There's a meeting scheduled for March 20th in the staff room in the basement at Devonshire school. I think 7:30 but can confirm closer to that time. All are welcome to attend and participate. From the debate at last night's trustee meeting, there is a lot of concern that the board's working group will be able to bring forward a solution that is feasible for 2014 with minimal capital investment, since capital funds have to come from the province and can take 2,3,5 years to be delivered. It looks like there is capacity for all students in the existing buildings, it will just take some creativity and cooperation to move the students around in a way that minimizes adverse impacts on families.

hi everyone. my colleagues at cbc radio ottawa are looking at doing a story or two on the near west review and the interim decision as well as the long term process. anyone from the working group and any parents directly affected by the interim solution willing to talk to my reporter friend Julie Ireton? if so, email me directly at karinaroman@yahoo.com and let me know. she'd want to talk to people tonight if possible. cheers.

Lyndon - I wasn't at the meeting Tuesday night but my understanding is yes, the JKs being moved get FDK in September.

Yes, JKs will get FDK and access to the Extended Day Program (before and after-school care for a fee.) As I understand it, the Extended Day is offered if they have enough demand to make it financially viable for the provider, which in Connaught's case will be the OCDSB itself. Parents should not assume that their child will automatically be registered for the Extended Day Program, you should contact OCDSB. Students who are registered currently for JK at Devonshire in September will be transferred to Connaught. Hope that's clear. Things are still early and being worked out. I can say that Devonshire's current JK teachers are not automatically going to Connaught - I believe that the board can't do this for union reasons, but that part of the meeting Tuesday night was in camera, so that's speculation on my part