Hi all,
We are a group of parents and guardians who live in Devonshire’s eastern EFI catchment. We have been closely following the Near West Review process, produced the SWOT in the post above and have given more thought on a possible solution. Below and attached are what we think is workable. We'd like to know your thoughts.
On June 30th, we’ll be submitting the attached PDF to the Working Group. (If you are interested in signing your name, please reply to this post by June 29th).
First, and foremost, we believe that
Devonshire and Elmdale should be "decoupled" and unique solutions should be found for each school according to their unique needs: it is apparent that no one solution can satisfactorily accommodate both schools and the pressures faced by each are very different. Let Devonshire and Elmdale explore their own solutions.
Our proposition:
- Dual-track ENG/EFI at Connaught PS for Devonshire’s current western catchment
- Expand Cambridge’s ENG boundaries to include all of Dalhousie (D1 and E5)
- Special education/programs not to be disrupted at Connaught or Cambridge
The best and most natural solution for Devonshire’s overcrowding crisis is to use Connaught PS as a dual-track EFI/ENG school to ease the western pressure on Devonshire's EFI program.
Connaught has space: there are 10 to 13 homerooms available at Connaught as well as two gyms. Devonshire only requires 7 to 8 homerooms to create a viable western EFI program.
Connaught is already being used as an interim solution for Devonshire's overcrowding problem -- Devonshire's JK students are being diverted to Connaught in 2013-14. Creating an EFI program at Connaught would create continuity for at least a portion of these JK students and their families.
Addresses the desire for French programming in Hintonburg and would increase the space and availability at Devonshire for more Dalhousie-area children who want to enroll in EFI (without threatening critical programming at Cambridge).
The western boundary of Connaught's EFI program should be extended to that of Devonshire's current western boundary to keep cohorts together.
Bolser ENG enrolment at CambridgeTo bolster Cambridge’s capacity, the western ENG boundary of Cambridge should be extended to the eastern edge of the O-Train.
Currently, parts of West Centretown (D1 and E5) are diverted to Connaught for their English school, even though Cambridge is much closer and more walkable. This would be a gentle way to encourage enrollment at Cambridge without displacing critical programming at the school.
Dual-track EFI/ENG at Cambridge Street PS is not a viable solutionThere is insufficient space at Cambridge Street PS to support a viable and sustainable EFI program.
There is no unused space at Cambridge. Several essential programs servicing a vulnerable and marginalized population would be lost with the implementation of a dual-track EFI/ENG program including the Parent and Family Literacy Centre (PFLC), two special education classrooms and break-out rooms for ESL.
A note to the Working GroupWe encourage the Working Group to focus on the current over-crowding crisis surrounding EFI, rather than coming up with solutions for other types of programming (i.e. alternative)
We encourage the Working Group and the OCDSB to choose a solution that can be implemented for September 2014. A second year Interim Solution is untenable and will be vigorously rejected by Near West parents.
Thank you for seeking the views of all those who may be affected to find a workable solution. It is clearly an extremely complex challenge.
Sincerely,
The Devonshire D1/E5 Parent Group
Attachments:June 30th Submission.pdf (108.92 KB)
