Post by markscrivens on May 8, 2014 18:44:58 GMT -5
Hi folks,
It's taken some time to post these notes, as I was awaiting some further information from Principal Hannah. I'm posting only the portion of the meeting that is of relevance to Devonshire parents who have children attending Connaught beginning next year (Hilson and Elmdale schools also participate in Team meetings).
1) Update on work done thus far:
Devonshire placemats were sent via backpack a few weeks back detailing transition information (and since the meeting a further note was sent out this week by way of backpack express).
Devonshire Representative Nicholas Olmstead noted that new incoming parents were apparently missed. The principals undertook to remedy this oversight.
2) Connaught renovation update:
Architects and design team are currently working with Connaught to adapt the current space to the new EFI program, and the extended day day care.
A computer lab will be dismantled and computers put into classes, and a numeracy room will be converted back into a classroom. Bannisters appropriate for kindergarten age children are also being added.
New shelving will be added to library for new French resources.
34 new desktops going into classrooms, and 25 laptops will be deployed as well.
This Retrofit funding comes from Board, and is not drawn from the $50k provided for the establishment of the new EFI program.
3) In answer to a question from a current Devonshire student, there are a wide variety of extra-curricular activities available at Connaught, including: Cross country running, and other sports teams (the Connaught Colts!), a tech club, and music and visual arts programs.
4) Nicholas and I stressed the need to learn best practices from other schools who have gone through the establishment of dual track EFI programs. We also encouraged Principal Hannah to help us to find ways as parents to contribute to preparation of the new EFI program. Finally we tried to assure the Connaught parent reps that we were sensitive to the impact the changes were going to have on the existing school community.
Next steps:
- A new informational letter next week coming from Principals (this has been done)
- Dates to be set for Welcome to Kindergarten nights
- A welcome to Connaught Barbecue will be held on May 29 (see post below)
- Devonshire and and Elmdale students will be given a tour of Connaught school
- Principal Amy Hannah will set up meetings between Devonshire parents and the current Connaught librarian to see what can be done to enhance the Connaught library collection.
Please stay tuned for more information as we go along, and come out to the Welcome Barbecue on May 29th!
Mark Scrivens and Nicholas Olmstead
It's taken some time to post these notes, as I was awaiting some further information from Principal Hannah. I'm posting only the portion of the meeting that is of relevance to Devonshire parents who have children attending Connaught beginning next year (Hilson and Elmdale schools also participate in Team meetings).
1) Update on work done thus far:
Devonshire placemats were sent via backpack a few weeks back detailing transition information (and since the meeting a further note was sent out this week by way of backpack express).
Devonshire Representative Nicholas Olmstead noted that new incoming parents were apparently missed. The principals undertook to remedy this oversight.
2) Connaught renovation update:
Architects and design team are currently working with Connaught to adapt the current space to the new EFI program, and the extended day day care.
A computer lab will be dismantled and computers put into classes, and a numeracy room will be converted back into a classroom. Bannisters appropriate for kindergarten age children are also being added.
New shelving will be added to library for new French resources.
34 new desktops going into classrooms, and 25 laptops will be deployed as well.
This Retrofit funding comes from Board, and is not drawn from the $50k provided for the establishment of the new EFI program.
3) In answer to a question from a current Devonshire student, there are a wide variety of extra-curricular activities available at Connaught, including: Cross country running, and other sports teams (the Connaught Colts!), a tech club, and music and visual arts programs.
4) Nicholas and I stressed the need to learn best practices from other schools who have gone through the establishment of dual track EFI programs. We also encouraged Principal Hannah to help us to find ways as parents to contribute to preparation of the new EFI program. Finally we tried to assure the Connaught parent reps that we were sensitive to the impact the changes were going to have on the existing school community.
Next steps:
- A new informational letter next week coming from Principals (this has been done)
- Dates to be set for Welcome to Kindergarten nights
- A welcome to Connaught Barbecue will be held on May 29 (see post below)
- Devonshire and and Elmdale students will be given a tour of Connaught school
- Principal Amy Hannah will set up meetings between Devonshire parents and the current Connaught librarian to see what can be done to enhance the Connaught library collection.
Please stay tuned for more information as we go along, and come out to the Welcome Barbecue on May 29th!
Mark Scrivens and Nicholas Olmstead