Accommodation

Merivale ARC Merivale Area – South of Baseline Elementary Accommodation Study

Review

Committee

(ARC)

Merivale ARC

Why an ARC for the Merivale Area ?

• Carleton Heights PS and McGregor Easson PS have low enrolment making program viability an issue for students

• Sir Winston Churchill PS will lose about ½ of its 600 students to the new Barrhaven high school in September 2009

Merivale ARC

What Schools are Involved ?

Merivale ARC

ARC Participation

• Principals from all schools involved

• Volunteer parent reps. from all schools involved

• Volunteer Community reps.

• Professional Facilitator

• OCDSB Planning Staff

Supporting roles:

• Every meeting was open to the public

• ARC Open House – April 1, 2009

• Delegations to Trustees – Nov. 23, 2009

• Implementation – Sept. 2010

Merivale ARC

Timelines

• Formation of ARC – June 2008

• Board Approval to proceed with study – April 2008

• ARC public meetings – Sept 2008 to June 2009

• Staff Report to Trustees – Oct. 15, 2009

• Decision – Dec. 15, 2009

• ARC Report to Trustees – June 15, 2009

• Public Input/Feedback – April 1 to May 8, 2009

Merivale ARC

The Valuation Framework

• Value to the School Board

• Value to the Student

• Value to the Community

• Value to the Local Economy

- 40 %

- 30 %

- 25 %

- 5 %

Merivale ARCGuiding Principles Developed by Merivale ARC

• Space for daycare facilities in schools

• MFI program in the area

• Close one or two schools

• No triple track schools• Consider dual track schools

• Minimal disruption to students

• Keep divisions together

• Sustainable solution

• Maximize value to students and community

• Maximize community use of schools

• Look into additional programming

Merivale ARC

Scenarios Presented At the Open House

• Scenario 1 – McGregor Easson and Carleton Heights Amalgamate

• Scenario 0 – Status Quo

• Scenario 2 – Merivale and Sir Winston Churchill Amalgamate as 7-12

• Scenario 3 –Sir Winston Churchill and Parkwood Hills Amalgamate as JK - 8

• Scenario 4 –Meadowlands adds Early French Immersion

Merivale ARCPublic Input re McGregor Easson / Carleton Heights

• Changes would be desirable to either building to adequately house the combined student body

• General support for amalgamation

• Community is strongly divided about which location to amalgamate to

Merivale ARCPublic Input reSir Winston / Parkwood Hills / Merivale

• Feedback on Merivale as 7-12 divided between support and opposition

• Amalgamation of Parkwood Hills/Sir Winston received few comments, mostly in support

• Little feedback on making Merivale 7-12

• Concern over program viability at Merivale

Merivale ARC

Other Public Input

• Adding EFI to Meadowlands received a moderate amount of comments, all positive

• Overwhelming support to above all maintain existing childcare

• Strong support to have childcare available at all primary schools

Merivale ARC

Recommendations

• Sir Winston Churchill and Parkwood Hills amalgamate as JK–8; EFI added at Meadowlands

• McGregor Easson and Carleton Heights amalgamate as JK - 6

• Child care spaces be made available at all schools with primary grades

• Middle French Immersion program is established at McGregor Easson/Carleton

Heights or Century

• OCDSB takes a lead role to make change easier

Merivale ARC Recommendation # 1McGregor Easson and Carleton Heights

• 3 steps:

• McGregor Easson and Carleton Heights amalgamate

• Grade 7 and 8 at Carleton Heights move to Fielding Drive

• Childcare: maintain or increase number of spaces currently available

at Carleton Heights

• Special education: Board staff determine best locations

Locate initially at Carleton Heights;Analyze further for final location of school

(cost of renovations, availability of childcare);Finalize for occupation.

Merivale ARCRecommendation # 2Sir Winston Churchill and Parkwood Hills

• Childcare: maintain number of spaces currently available at Parkwood Hills

• Sir Winston Churchill and Parkwood Hills amalgamate as JK-8 school in the current Sir Winston building

• Early French Immersion is added to Meadowlands; EFI students in Meadowlands

catchment area move to Meadowlands (block move)

• Maintain programming for grade 7/8 students at Sir Winston Churchill

Merivale ARCRecommendation # 3Child Care Spaces at Elementary Schools

• Maintain or increase number of childcare spaces in Merivale ARC area

• Have childcare spaces available at all primary grade schools

Merivale ARC Recommendation # 4Middle French Immersion

• OCDSB staff to decide on site

• Offer Middle French Immersion programme in Merivale ARC area

• Site options:McGregor Easson / Carleton Heights

amalgamated siteCentury

• Consider location of 7/8 MFI program when selecting site

Merivale ARC Recommendation # 5Making Change Easier

• OCDSB must take the lead in creating a smooth transition:

Ensure effective communication

Inform and educate parents

Recognize, address emotional needsEstablish joint transition committee

Address perceptionse.g. closure versus

amalgamation

Ensure sufficient communication

Work with parents and students

Offer joint activities

Merivale ARC

In Summary

• Remember our Guiding Principles

• McGregor Easson and Carleton Heights amalgamate

• Middle French Immersion

• Sir Winston and Parkwood Hills amalgamate

• Early French Immersion at Meadowlands

• Childcare

• Make Change Easier

Merivale ARC Merivale Area – South of Baseline Elementary Accommodation Study