Post by vickysmallman on Apr 25, 2013 7:04:52 GMT -5
Hey everyone
At one of the Devonshire ARC subcommittee's first meetings, we brainstormed some core values to help guide us through future discussion and decisionmaking. I've reworked them a bit and am posting them here for further discussion online and at tonight's subcommittee meeting. Do these still apply? Are there any big gaps? Anything totally off the wall?
Devonshire Accommodation Review Subcommittee: Values and Guiding Principles
Devonshire & Elmdale are currently at or over capacity in terms of the number of students attending the schools; the implementation of full day kindergarten in 2014 is adding even more pressure. Early French Immersion, or EFI, has become the program of choice for most families in the Near West area, and the trend does not show any signs of slowing. Space is available at Fisher Park, Connaught and other community schools.
The OCDSB has struck a working group to look at shifting school boundaries and programs to address the shortage of classroom space for EFI and ensure sustainable English programming as well. A Subcommittee of Devonshire’s School Council has been discussing possibilities and potential solutions.
We recognize that there is likely no one solution that will work for all the families involved. We are striving to find the best, most workable solution and have identified some core principles to help guide our discussion:
Community
We live, eat, shop and work in our neighbourhood and believe a school is a central part of a community. Our sense of community is very much tied to walking to school; it’s how children and parents connect, meet and get to know each other. A community is stronger when inclusiveness and diversity are valued and cultivated.
While Devonshire and Elmdale (and Connaught, Fisher Park, Hilson, Cambridge and other area schools) have distinct communities and cultures, we also share neighbourhoods, parks, recreation and other community facilities. Solutions need to be reach beyond the needs of a specific school and consider the broader community..
Child Care
Our goal is for a seamless before and after care solution that offers high quality programming for all who need it within the schools. Child care solutions need to be in place at the schools before long term solutions are implemented.
Sustainable Programs
While English French Immersion seems to be the program of choice for many families, there needs to be a diversity of programs available: EFI, MFI, Gifted, Alternative, English core, etc. Programs need to be adequately and equally resourced, available to all who want access and
sustainable in the long term.
Walkability
It’s a rite of passage for kids to walk on their own or ride their bikes. It is a part of culture at Devonshire and we have consciously cultivated it. Walking means cost savings for parents, reduces cost of buses for school board, provides health benefits for children. Solutions should consider safe bike routes and direct walking routes to support a walking culture.
Infrastructure
We need to consider the cost of adapting existing structures to accommodate different age groups. Priorities include: a safe and reasonably supervised environment; ability for school-wide gatherings; safe play space and equipment for younger kids; library and resources; access to special ed; supervision during recesses and lunches; consideration of schedules and interaction in a K-8 scenario; recognition of fundraising contribution of parents at existing schools
Long term solutions
Our ideal would be a plan that sees no overcrowding or portables within a 5-8 year period. Overcrowding within the near term really doesn’t help address the problem.
Any solution should be sustainable in the long term – we are also speaking for families who will need schools in the years to come.
At one of the Devonshire ARC subcommittee's first meetings, we brainstormed some core values to help guide us through future discussion and decisionmaking. I've reworked them a bit and am posting them here for further discussion online and at tonight's subcommittee meeting. Do these still apply? Are there any big gaps? Anything totally off the wall?
Devonshire Accommodation Review Subcommittee: Values and Guiding Principles
Devonshire & Elmdale are currently at or over capacity in terms of the number of students attending the schools; the implementation of full day kindergarten in 2014 is adding even more pressure. Early French Immersion, or EFI, has become the program of choice for most families in the Near West area, and the trend does not show any signs of slowing. Space is available at Fisher Park, Connaught and other community schools.
The OCDSB has struck a working group to look at shifting school boundaries and programs to address the shortage of classroom space for EFI and ensure sustainable English programming as well. A Subcommittee of Devonshire’s School Council has been discussing possibilities and potential solutions.
We recognize that there is likely no one solution that will work for all the families involved. We are striving to find the best, most workable solution and have identified some core principles to help guide our discussion:
Community
We live, eat, shop and work in our neighbourhood and believe a school is a central part of a community. Our sense of community is very much tied to walking to school; it’s how children and parents connect, meet and get to know each other. A community is stronger when inclusiveness and diversity are valued and cultivated.
While Devonshire and Elmdale (and Connaught, Fisher Park, Hilson, Cambridge and other area schools) have distinct communities and cultures, we also share neighbourhoods, parks, recreation and other community facilities. Solutions need to be reach beyond the needs of a specific school and consider the broader community..
Child Care
Our goal is for a seamless before and after care solution that offers high quality programming for all who need it within the schools. Child care solutions need to be in place at the schools before long term solutions are implemented.
Sustainable Programs
While English French Immersion seems to be the program of choice for many families, there needs to be a diversity of programs available: EFI, MFI, Gifted, Alternative, English core, etc. Programs need to be adequately and equally resourced, available to all who want access and
sustainable in the long term.
Walkability
It’s a rite of passage for kids to walk on their own or ride their bikes. It is a part of culture at Devonshire and we have consciously cultivated it. Walking means cost savings for parents, reduces cost of buses for school board, provides health benefits for children. Solutions should consider safe bike routes and direct walking routes to support a walking culture.
Infrastructure
We need to consider the cost of adapting existing structures to accommodate different age groups. Priorities include: a safe and reasonably supervised environment; ability for school-wide gatherings; safe play space and equipment for younger kids; library and resources; access to special ed; supervision during recesses and lunches; consideration of schedules and interaction in a K-8 scenario; recognition of fundraising contribution of parents at existing schools
Long term solutions
Our ideal would be a plan that sees no overcrowding or portables within a 5-8 year period. Overcrowding within the near term really doesn’t help address the problem.
Any solution should be sustainable in the long term – we are also speaking for families who will need schools in the years to come.