Orleans Wood / Terry Fox Public Information Session Education Options for Parents 5 November, 2009

Agenda Background - what are we trying to fix? Background - what are we trying to fix? Options considered Options considered Recommendation Recommendation Next Steps Next Steps Discussion/Questions Discussion/Questions

Introduction Review was initiated by OCSDB following discussions between Terry Fox (TF) and Orleans Woods (OW) School Councils Review was initiated by OCSDB following discussions between Terry Fox (TF) and Orleans Woods (OW) School Councils “Root cause” of concern was declining enrolment at both schools, especially in core English Program where triple grade splits are a very real possibility and double splits are common. “Root cause” of concern was declining enrolment at both schools, especially in core English Program where triple grade splits are a very real possibility and double splits are common.

Background Declining enrolment at both schools due to demographic changes Declining enrolment at both schools due to demographic changes Schools are located in a mature community Schools are located in a mature community Families are having less children Families are having less children Competition from other school boards Competition from other school boards Regeneration is occurring, but not likely to change numbers Regeneration is occurring, but not likely to change numbers Decline stabilized but minimal growth likely Decline stabilized but minimal growth likely

Background - demographics

Background – effect on programs Triple Grade Splits at TF narrowly averted and likely to occur in near future Triple Grade Splits at TF narrowly averted and likely to occur in near future Average class sizes are the lowest in OCDSB Average class sizes are the lowest in OCDSB TF English has 9.1 students/grade (lowest) TF English has 9.1 students/grade (lowest) TF EFI has 11.5 students/grade (lowest) TF EFI has 11.5 students/grade (lowest) OW Eng has 14.7 students/grade - 11 th smallest (of 54) OW Eng has 14.7 students/grade - 11 th smallest (of 54) OW EFI has 17.3 students/grade - 6 th smallest (of 86) OW EFI has 17.3 students/grade - 6 th smallest (of 86)

Considerations Neither school has the ability to absorb the other’s population Neither school has the ability to absorb the other’s population A full Accommodation Review Consultation (ARC) would likely involve entire east end district. A full Accommodation Review Consultation (ARC) would likely involve entire east end district. This may not be a priority for OCDSB This may not be a priority for OCDSB Process (if started today) would take at least 18 months, likely much longer. Process (if started today) would take at least 18 months, likely much longer. No change before Fall 2012 at the earliest No change before Fall 2012 at the earliest Ontario’s Full Day Kindergarten initiative means near-term closures unlikely Ontario’s Full Day Kindergarten initiative means near-term closures unlikely

Potential Options The Working Group examined four options: Consolidation of TF and OW Consolidation of TF and OW Status Quo Status Quo Restructuring of Programs Restructuring of Programs “Parallel Programs” “Parallel Programs” OW (EFI JK – Gr 6) OW (EFI JK – Gr 6) TF (Eng JK – Gr 6, Eng and EFI Gr 7 - 8) TF (Eng JK – Gr 6, Eng and EFI Gr 7 - 8) “Dual Track Grade Restructuring” “Dual Track Grade Restructuring” OW (JK – Gr 3), TF (Gr 4 – Gr 8) OW (JK – Gr 3), TF (Gr 4 – Gr 8)

Consolidation Pros : Keeps kids in community Keeps kids in community Better transition to Cairine Wilson Better transition to Cairine Wilson (no “bleeding” to St. Matthews) (no “bleeding” to St. Matthews) Cons: Neither school has capacity to absorb other without major capital investment Neither school has capacity to absorb other without major capital investment Competing priorities for OCDSB – study may not be initiated soon. Competing priorities for OCDSB – study may not be initiated soon. Would take at least two years to study, longer to implement even if started now. Would take at least two years to study, longer to implement even if started now.

Status Quo Pros: No change is good No change is goodCons: Triple Grade splits remain a possibility Triple Grade splits remain a possibility Children may have same teacher multiple years (maybe good, maybe not) Children may have same teacher multiple years (maybe good, maybe not) Double-grade splits remain (8 at TF, 9 at OW in 2010) Double-grade splits remain (8 at TF, 9 at OW in 2010)

What would it look like? Using 2010 projected enrolment statistics and existing staffing allocations, the footprint would be as follows: Using 2010 projected enrolment statistics and existing staffing allocations, the footprint would be as follows:

“Parallel Programs” OW to become EFI Centre OW to become EFI Centre Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 Terry Fox to become Core English Centre Terry Fox to become Core English Centre Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 Terry Fox maintains Grade 7, 8 programs for both streams Terry Fox maintains Grade 7, 8 programs for both streams

“Parallel Programs” Pros: Core structure of school unchanged Core structure of school unchanged Siblings (potentially) spend longer together Siblings (potentially) spend longer together Mentoring program remains Mentoring program remains Split grades greatly reduced (from 17 to 4) Split grades greatly reduced (from 17 to 4) Should prevent triple-splits Should prevent triple-splitsCons: Children who move from EFI to English programs must change schools Children who move from EFI to English programs must change schools Smaller combined peer groups at each grade level Smaller combined peer groups at each grade level

What does it look like? Using 2010 projected enrolment statistics and existing staffing allocations, the footprint would be as follows: Using 2010 projected enrolment statistics and existing staffing allocations, the footprint would be as follows:

“Dual Track Grade Restructuring” OW to offer both programs OW to offer both programs Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 Terry Fox to offer both programs Terry Fox to offer both programs Grade 4 to Grade 8 Grade 4 to Grade 8 Note: Grade 3 / 4 split was chosen as it is the pedagogical transition between primary and junior grades and is viewed as the most appropriate and logical point to do so.

Dual Track Grade Restructuring Pros: Concentrated staff resources (more teachers at each grade) Concentrated staff resources (more teachers at each grade) Greatly reduces double splits (from 17 to 4) Greatly reduces double splits (from 17 to 4) Should prevent triple splits Should prevent triple splits Transition from EFI to English less damaging Transition from EFI to English less damaging Should reduce “bleed” to St. Matthews in Gr. 7 Should reduce “bleed” to St. Matthews in Gr. 7Cons: Siblings change schools sooner Siblings change schools sooner Loss of mentoring program Loss of mentoring program

What would it look like? Using 2010 projected enrolment statistics and existing staffing allocations, the footprint would be as follows: Using 2010 projected enrolment statistics and existing staffing allocations, the footprint would be as follows:

Terry Fox School Council Recommendation Each family will have a different perspective on what is the best option. Each family will have a different perspective on what is the best option. TF School Council took a global perspective, examining what made sense for the entire school. TF School Council took a global perspective, examining what made sense for the entire school. The Dual Track K to 3 (OW) and 4-8 (TF) Option is recommended. The Dual Track K to 3 (OW) and 4-8 (TF) Option is recommended. Parents must decide what is best for their children and provide constructive feedback to the Board on their preferences. Parents must decide what is best for their children and provide constructive feedback to the Board on their preferences.

Orleans Wood School Council

Next Steps Discussion tonight Discussion tonight 6 – 19 Nov – Community Feedback 6 – 19 Nov – Community Feedback 9 Dec – Business Services Committee 9 Dec – Business Services Committee Jan – Presentation to Board Jan – Presentation to Board Jan – Decision communicated to public Jan – Decision communicated to public Transition Work (if required) put in action Transition Work (if required) put in action Sep 2010 – Implementation (if required) Sep 2010 – Implementation (if required)

Discussion