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 A.R.C.
Sudbury West
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Trustees make decision regarding accommodation in Sudbury West
Rainbow District School Board trustees made a decision regarding the
accommodation of students in Sudbury West area schools, approving the
final recommendations presented by the Board?s Administrative Council on
February 19th, 2008. The Sudbury West area includes Copper Cliff Public
School, George Vanier Public School, Jessie Hamilton Public School, R.H.
Murray Public School and Lively District Secondary School.
?The decision brings to a close a year-long accommodation review,Ó said
Board Chair Judy Hunda. ?On behalf of the Board and its Administrative
Council, I would like to thank the Accommodation Review Committee for
Sudbury West and the public for their engagement in this important
process.Ó
Rainbow District School Board trustees approved the following motions:
That Lively District Secondary School remain open.
That R.H. Murray Public School, JK to Grade 8, remain open.
That Grades 7 and 8 students from Jessie Hamilton Public School and
George Vanier Public School be transferred to Lively District Secondary
School effective September 2008.
That George Vanier Public School and Jessie Hamilton Public School be
consolidated into a new JK to Grade 6 green school offering English and
French Immersion programs (dual track).
That Copper Cliff Public School remain open and continue to be a feeder
school for Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School and Lockerby Composite School.
That non-student use be considered for Lively District Secondary School.
That a French Immersion program be offered at Lively District Secondary
School providing there is a cohort of 25 students in the academic
program in Grade 9.
In making its final recommendations to the Board, Administrative Council
considered student learning as the first and foremost priority.
?The mandate was to maximize student learning within the resources
available to the Board in keeping with two guiding principles - to
ensure that all students continue to have access to the best programming
possible in quality school facilities and to reduce surplus space,Ó said
Director of Education Jean Hanson.
The Administrative Council?s final report on the accommodation of
students in Sudbury West is available online at rainbowschools.ca.
Click on ?accommodationÓ under ?highlightsÓ.
http://www.rainbowschools.ca/boardroom/accommodation/sudburyWest.php
Nicole Charette
Senior Advisor
Corporate Communications
and Strategic Planning
Rainbow District School Board
69 Young Street
Sudbury ON P3E 3G5
Phone: 705.674.3171, ext. 7217
Toll Free: 1.888.421.2661
Fax: 705.674.3167
charetn@rainbowschools.ca
Accomodation Review Committee
From:
LEO OMAN
To:
campbe@rainbowschools.ca;
deward@rainbowschools.ca; fox@rainbowschools.ca; hundaj@rainbowschools.ca;
killenl@rainbowschools.ca; millerj@rainbowschools.ca; morris@rainbowschools.ca;
santalg@rainbowschools.ca; wardr@rainbowschools.ca
Date:
Friday, February 15,
2008 8:23:18 PM
Subject:
R.H. Murray Public
School is a treasure to the students of the surrounding area and Sudbury
West.
Hello,
As
a resident of Sudbury West having grown up and now again living in the
Beaver Lake community, I must add my voice to those clear and forward
thinkers who are supporting continuing R.H. Murray Public School fully
operational for the foreseeable future (15 to 20 years) with it's grades
K, 1‑8 intact.
I read the December
17th 2007, 10 page document titled
"Administrative Council Recommendations" on the Rainbow
Schools website soon after it was out to the public.
I also downloaded the
"School Valuation Framework R.H.
Murray Public School" from the same website, examined it and
wondered about the presented numbers. The Facility Condition Index (FCI)
ratings shocked me because they were so high for every school in Sudbury
West.
In my job, I
understand FCI through experience and have been formally trained
(Facilities/Infrastructure Certification Program Facilities Inspection
Certificate from VFA inc.) on how to assess FCI correctly.
I attended the
January 21st 2008 public input meeting at Tom Davies Square City Hall
Council Chamber and listened to all the presentations from the public.
Mr Tom Price's presentation was the most interesting to me because he
hit on some same concerns I had about mechanical/electrical/hvac and
exterior grounds work valuations. The numbers in the "valuation
framework" didn't seem realistic for a point in time or over a five year
period.
At the end of this
January 21st meeting, there was a prominent invitation to the gathered
peoples to come to a tea party on Thursday February 7th 2008 from 4pm to
6pm at the R.H. Murray Public School. I decided to attend this tea party
to have a personal view of the school building inside and out.
Unfortunately the day
of the tea party a last minute work crises set back my departure time
from Cambrian College's BarryDowne campus by 45 minutes. This meant that
I didn't arrive at the school till about 4:45pm missing much of the
function.
I did recognize
trustees Hunda, Fox and Santala in attendance and would like to thank
them for their interest and attendance. There may have been more
individuals from the board attending and I thank them as well.
I walked through the
school thoroughly and carefully (excepting girls washroom) noting
architectural surface conditions, electrical/ mechanical and fire alarm
fixtures in the various classrooms/hallways/staff room and principal's
office. I purposefully went beyond the red firedoor in the photocopier
room to enter and assess the boiler room. I walked around the exterior
of the building twice noting wall conditions window types, doors and
hardware condition.
Although I can't say
I checked every detail visible to me, I can say the condition of this 52
year building is exceptional sound and well maintained, save some
cosmetic paint touchup, window blinds and minor floor tile issues. I
would be very interested in talking with the assessors who did the
valuation of outstanding deficiencies.
The building appears to be capable of maintaining it's present use
perfectly adequately for a minimum of 15 to 20 years with continued
normal expected scheduled maintenance and the occasional major capital
maintenance such as roof membrane replacement/ boiler change out etc. as
required noted by continued monitored inspection.
The
building aside, every young child (K. Grades 1‑8) should have the
feeling of community and the understanding by events in their school
(attended and supported by grownups), that the other kids' parents cares
for them as well. This cannot be done when the school (though a marvel
of technology) is not in the community.
Lively Secondary is a fine school coping
with cyclical ups and downs of enrollment but raiding the primary
schools for attendees is not the correct path to follow.
Extended bussing times may seem like a livable inconvenience to go to a
new GREEN School but from my opinion regardless of the rhetoric of a
bigger school offering "professional learning community" younger
students learn best in smaller schools
where they can know every student and
teacher.
Extended
bussing of Sudbury West young students just takes more time away from
the precious out‑of‑school time, that is the play time, the family time
and the creative time every young person needs to develop as an
individual. Riding the bus more doesn't make one young child more
intelligent or creative. It just makes them tired and exposes them to
more chance of collision.
I ask that a sober
thought be given to keeping R.H. Murray Public School running the same
way it is at present and be there in the next five years for the new
immigrants and their families to Sudbury West when Vale Inco's Totten
Mine, Ursa Major Minerals Shakespeare Mine and others go into full
operation. Thereafter the bountiful enrollment numbers will speak for
themselves and give cause to consider an enlargement of R.H. Murray or a
new Green School even further west.
I thank you for your
indulgence in reading my thoughts!
Leo V.V. Oman, P.Eng,
Manager, Building
Maintenance and Property Services
Cambrian College,
1400 BarryDowne Road
Sudbury, Ontario
(705) 566‑8101 Ext
7453
Fax (705) 524‑7306
lvoman@cambrianc.on.ca
CC:
blasegn@rainbowschools.ca; bsalo@hotmail.com; cayenad@rainbowschools.ca;
charetn@rainbowschools.ca; dellapea@rainbowschools.ca; dyel@rainbowschools.ca;
gwen‑paul.doyle@sympatico.ca; hansonj@rainbowschools.ca;
Jacques.Barbeau@city.greatersudbury.on.ca; lawf@rainbowschools.ca;
speirs@rainbowschools.ca
**************************************************************************
Penage Rd Community centre
Penage Rd,
Whitefish
P0M 3E0
February 14, 2008
The Penage Rd Women’s Institute is in full support of keeping R.H Murray
Public School open.
Through the years our organization has supported our school by
fundraising and every year we give an award for a graduating student.
Our children have attended this school and it is a major part of our
community. It pulls our community together which is extremely important
in our rural setting .
The school is also used as a polling station and other events are held
in the school however the most important facts is we need this school
for our children.
Penage Rd Women’s Institute
Secretary Neeltje Van-Roon
A.R.C Sudbury West UPDATE: Accommodation
Review Committee for Sudbury West Area Schools
REVIEW OF PUBLISHED INFORMATION
REGARDING RAINBOW DISTRICT BOARD SUDBURY WEST
R.H. MURRAY PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPOSED
CLOSURE
BY THOMAS PRICE
R.H. MURRAY CLOSURE
(PDF)
R.H. MURRAY SLIDES
(PDF)
Walden-CAN Strongly Supports ARC Option A
…The best
solutions for the five schools in Sudbury West!
Walden- CAN -
Working within the ARC-Sudbury West Process
This is the fourth time that members of the Walden-CAN Executive &
Education Task Force have provided input throughout the ten month
ARC-Sudbury West process. At each stage in this process we have worked
conscientiously within the guidelines and parameters established by the
Ministry for the accommodation review of our four schools in Walden and
Copper Cliff PS.
At our first Task Force Meeting we unanimously agreed that any Options
we presented or subsequent input/responses to Options developed by
ARC-Sudbury West would be the best solutions for the students and
communities of all five schools.
Before we began our deliberations we coordinated an
Information-Gathering Meeting with the ARC parent representatives for
the five schools and Trustee Gord Santala to discover ‘first-hand’ how
the ARC process would work and how solutions to the surplus space issues
at four schools and overcrowding at one would be developed. The parents
were excited about the possibilities of thinking outside the box,
working together to develop the best possible solutions for all the
students of the five schools- even though they acknowledged that some
sacrifices would have to be made. We were assured that the public would
have plenty of opportunities to provide input throughout the process-
before any final Options were presented to the Administrative Council
and the Trustees.
We were encouraged throughout the process because this time ARC members
were not only listening to the public input but also incorporating many
of the suggestions as they developed their final three Options for the
five schools in Sudbury West.
The Walden-CAN strongly supported Option A- as outlined in our November
2nd response to ARC-Sudbury West- as the best solutions for all 5
schools. The final Nov.12, 2007 ARC-Sudbury West Report- although not
pleasing to all community members was a creative and viable alternative.
We were surprised and very disappointed at the December 17th Board
Meeting to hear the Director’s recommendations- which ignore vital
aspects of this thoughtfully produced report- in particular Option A-
the preferred choice of the committee and the community.
Walden - CAN does not support the
Director’s recommendation to close R.H. Murray PS!
The Administrative Council’s recommendation ignores
the consistent support of Copper Cliff PS and R.H. Murray PS by ARC and
community input:
1. In each Option developed by ARC throughout the ten months both Copper
Cliff PS and R.H. Murray PS were to remain open– as vital community
schools
2. At no point in the Public Meetings did any parents, former students,
community groups or residents suggest closing Copper Cliff PS or R.H.
Murray PS
3. Public Presentations stressed the unique and vital role these two
community schools provides for the students, families and communities
–now and in the future.
a. Copper Cliff – the natural hub of a small
geographic area.
b. R.H. Murray- the only elementary school in a vast
rural area, from Lively to Espanola – including communities of: Beaver
Lake, Nairn Centre, Penage Rd., Whitefish and Worthington.
4. Walden-CAN has consistently supported maintaining and strengthening
both Copper Cliff PS and R.H. Murray PS- as a vital resource to the
communities
5. The final three Options developed by ARC recommend that Copper Cliff
PS and R.H. Murray PS remain open
6. Option A- the preferred Option by the majority of committee and the
community recommended that RH Murray remain open and the extension of
the boundary towards the east for new students – effective September
2008.
7. Walden-CAN strongly supports ARC Option A- as the
best solution for RH Murray PS!
Closing R.H. Murray will have significant,
long-term, negative, impact on the students, families and communities of
Walden West.
1. The vast geographic area of Walden West – with widely separated,
rural communities cannot be treated the same as the tiny area of Copper
Cliff.
2. Closing the only elementary school from Lively to Espanola will have
significant, long- term, negative impact on Walden West.
a. Longer bus rides could be stressful for JK – Grade 2 students and
their parents: earlier starts in morning, crankier, tired students at
school and later arrivals at home- unless the busing would be
rationalized to actually shorten routes
b. Walden West students will be limited re: after school programs-
unless the board provides late buses or parents pick them up
c. There is no public transit system in Walden West
d. Walden West parents could be less likely to volunteer
e. Access to after school, weekend and community activities at RH Murray
site will be lost-unless the CGS purchases the school and ensures access
to facilities and former programs
3. Current trends in education (USA, other countries) support
strengthening and investing in small, community schools
a. Small, community schools have a positive impact of on: student
learning and performance, accountability, comfort level, confidence,
sense of security, risk factors, teacher support, and involvement of
parents etc
b. Many School Districts in the USA are investing in and renovating
their small community schools- not tearing them down or closing them.
c. The testimony of parents and former students of R.H. Murray,
throughout this ARC process confirm the positive, nurturing atmosphere
of this small, rural community school.
d. The Administrative Council continues to ignore the positive impact of
the
economic growth and development happening in Walden West – now and
in the future.
- The two new mines could translate into 400 new jobs
- Increased housing starts is a reality in Walden- moving west
- Community schools are connected to the economic stability of healthy
communities
e. Serious concerns have been raised by RH Murray parents and community
re: inflated figures in the School Valuation for RH Murray
- Costs and projections re: repairs and maintenance should be
re-examined to respond to these questions
- RH Murray parents and community do not believe that the Facility
Condition Index for their school should be prohibitive to repair
- These concerns about the School Valuation should be addressed and the
results reported as soon as possible
f. Policies restricting the money that school boards may invest in
renovations to older school can trivialize the long-standing
relationships between rural schools and the communities they’ve anchored
for generations
- The Board should respect the long-standing relationship between RH
Murray PS and the rural communities of Walden West
Walden-CAN strongly recommends that
the Board take pro-active steps to develop policies, which will lead to
a sustainable, healthy secondary school in Sudbury West
1. Access to education from JK – Grade 12- is essential and
should be protected and developed to ensure a sustainable, healthy
community for Walden (Sudbury West) now and in the future
2. All input from parents, former students, community and ARC-Sudbury
West strongly
supported maintaining and strengthening LDSS - the only secondary school
in Sudbury West
3. Policies of former school boards helped create the declining
enrollment problems at Lively District Secondary School
4. The Director’s comments “…concerns remain regarding
the viability of program at Lively District Secondary School ” have had
an immediate negative impact on the future enrollment at LDSS
a. People have already been asking:
“ What is the Plan B for Lively District Secondary
School?”
“ What happens if there is no funding for the new ‘Green’ school?”
b. There will be negative impact on Lively District Secondary School
caused
by this ARC process even before the Board’s final decision on February
19th
5. The Board should start by acting on ARC
recommendations in Option A:
a. Move Grade 7 and 8 students from George Vanier PS and Jessie Hamilton
PS to Lively District Secondary School (English and French Immersion)
b. Make Copper Cliff PS a feeder school of LDSS- in spite of any
“…agreement [that] was made to bus Copper Cliff students to Lo Ellen and
Lockerby.”
- From the very beginning of this process our Task Force had questions
as to why Copper Cliff PS was part of this accommodation review
- We were told that Copper Cliff PS is part of Sudbury West now-
according to the Board which established the ARC mandate
- If Copper Cliff PS is protected by an “…established relationship”, and
because it “ …has been traditionally part of the City of Sudbury”- it
should not have been part of the ARC-Sudbury West.
- If Copper Cliff is not part of Sudbury West, parents, teachers and the
principal from Copper Cliff PS – should not have been members of ARC-
helping determine the fate of 4 schools in Walden- while being protected
by former Board agreements
- If Copper Cliff PS is part of Sudbury West, perhaps the Grade 7 and 8
students should be moved to LDSS too
c. Offer Grade 9 –12 French Immersion at Lively District Secondary
School
(LDSS would offer FI from Grade 7 –12)
- Establish Grade 9 French Immersion at Lively District Secondary School
in September 2008 – in spite of small numbers
- Allow time to for the numbers to grow and develop as Grade 7 and 8
students attend LDSS
- This commitment was made years ago when FI started at George Vanier
PS- in spite of the need for double and triple grades
d. Use a portion of Lively District Secondary School for non-student use
6. Walden-CAN strongly supports ARC Option A - as the
best solution for LDSS
The City of Greater Sudbury is a
Community of Communities and the Rainbow District School Board is an
integral part and should reflect the same core values as the
Constellation City
1. The Constellation City Report was adopted by Council, in Jan.2007 and
already 90 of the recommendations, have been implemented
a. The Goal was to build a community of communities in Greater Sudbury
b. A City that is Connected, Caring, Empowered and Equitable
2. The Board should reflect the same values as the Constellation City:
inclusiveness,
preservation and celebration of community history; openness and
accessibility;
transparency and accountability; fairness and superb communications in
the ARC-Sudbury West process
a. The CGS Council listened to and acted upon the input from its
citizens in the outlying areas and the Constellation Report prepared by
its appointed
Community Solutions Team
b. The Board should listen to and act upon the input from the parents
and
communities of Sudbury West and the Final Report prepared by its
appointed and elected [by parents] ARC-Sudbury West members
3. Walden-CAN strongly supports ARC Option A – as the
preferred choice of the majority of the committee and the community
Walden-CAN has serious reservations about the democratic process of the
accommodation review in Sudbury West
1. From the first announcement in the newspapers about ARC-Sudbury West
people in Walden were skeptical about the whole process:
a. They warned us: “ Why bother? It’s a done deal! They already know
what they are planning to do with our four schools”
b. Walden-CAN, parents, former students, community groups and residents
opted to work within the mandate of the ARC- in spite of past experience
c. We chose to work within the democratic process outlined by the
Ministry and spent many hours agonizing to develop the best possible
solutions for our five schools- now and in the future
2. If a plan was already conceived from day one, there was no reason for
our schools and communities to be involved in the ARC process!
a. Telling us that the Ministry insists that this ARC process be
followed is not acceptable!
b. The Sudbury West accommodation review would not be a democratic
process but an exercise in showmanship
3. If the Director’s recommendations were conceived from day one, what
is the Plan should there be no funding for a new green school?
a. The Administrative Council only presented one Option- yet the ARC
were
instructed to develop 3 Options- even though their preferred choice was
Option A
b. What is Plan B?
4. We – as taxpayers- elect our Councilors and School Trustees expecting
them to thoughtfully and carefully : learn ‘first-hand’ about areas of
responsibility; research all the facts and statistics - provided by
their staff and administration; examine past policies and gather public
input about issues vital to their constituents – before makingtheir
final decisions on how to vote!
a. We do not expect them to automatically accept the recommendations
from their administration – as the best choice - when deciding policies
b. If that were the case, we would not require elected officials
5. Walden-CAN continues to hope:
a. That we were wrong about the rumors that decisions were
made about the future of the five schools in Sudbury West long before
the January, 2007 announcement about the ARC-Sudbury West.
b. That there is no Plan B- which will have an negative impact on Lively
District Secondary School
c. That all the agonizing of our parents, former students, community
groups and residents and the ARC-Sudbury West were an exercise in
democracy – not an exercise in futility.
***************************************************************
The Fight to Keep
R.H. Murray PS Open
As a vital
resource for our communities- now & in the future!
As Co-Chairs and long-time residents of Walden, Richard Bois and I (and
our spouses) spent 2 hours on Friday night, in the Beaver Lake Sports
and Cultural Club, attending the R.H. Murray Community/Parents Meeting.
Cathy Stadder-Wise, Chair, R.H. Murray School Council & member of the
ARC-Sudbury West had invited us to attend.
We went to listen and to learn ‘first-hand’ what the west-end
communities & parents think about the Rainbow Board’s Administrative
Council’s recommendation on December 17,2007 to close R.H. Murray PS.
What we witnessed was a hall filled with parents (several children),
grandparents, residents- young and old- from Beaver Lake, Nairn, Penage,
Whitefish, Worthington & other communities in Walden plus MPP Gelinas,
School Trustee Santala, School Trustee Fox, several ARC-Sudbury West
members, and the media.
What we heard loud and clear, is that the communities and parents will
fight to keep R.H. Murray PS (the only elementary school in over 400
square kilometers west of Lively to Espanola) open- as a vital resource
for their communities- now & in the future! They support the ARC-Sudbury
West Options- all of which recommended keeping R.H. Murray PS open! They
will do everything they can to keep R.H. Murray open for their children
and their children’s children.
We learned that:
a. Members of ARC-Sudbury West were surprised on Dec. 18, to hear the
announcement of Jean Hanson’s Administrative Council recommendation to
close R.H. Murray. This recommendation utterly disregards the three
Options developed by ARC members. We were told that in all three, five
sets of schools- with five sets of parents, teachers and principals, had
reached consensus that R.H. Murray is an important resource to the
community and therefore should be kept open.
b. Mr Price, a former Project Manager at INCO – with 35 years of
experience evaluating and implementing projects on budget and on time-
is in the process of evaluating the ‘numbers’ in the five School
Valuations- as posted on the website. He is appalled! The bottom line of
his 45-minute power point presentation is that the figures don’t add up!
Significant reference information and costs are missing. And he is not
yet finished with his evaluation!
c. Throughout what should have been a celebration of Christmas holidays,
the Parent Council and the communities have been busy coordinating their
campaign to fight the closure of R.H. Murray PS. They have been: sending
letters to parents; booking the Beaver Lake Hall; sending letters to the
Editor, websites, and to residents; doing interviews for radio, TV and
newspapers; phoning and emailing Trustees and politicians and holding
planning meetings. With the final decision by the Rainbow Board to be
made on Feb.18th they are encouraging everyone to get involved and to
continue lobbying by contacting the Trustees to
express their desire to keep their children educated at R.H. Murray.
They will be
exploring all possibilities!
Walden-West communities should not have to
fight to keep R.H. Murray open.
The final ARC-Sudbury West Report - developed during the nine months’
ARC process- although not pleasing to all community members, was a
creative & viable alternative to the status quo. Each of the three
Options recommended R.H. Murray remain open.
Walden-Can continues to strongly support ARC Option A!
”… Represents the committee’s response to input provided by the
community at public meetings…A majority of the committee supports this
option as the preferred choice…consideration for the future through a
new green school l[which] addresses the facility concerns at the two
schools with the most pressing issues- George Vanier (with its actual
physical condition) and Jessie Hamilton (over enrolment without space to
grow)…also responds to the enrolment pressures at the secondary school
by providing potential for growth by developing a Grade 7-12 focus
through moving Grade 7 and 8 students…recommending that FI be provided
Grade 7 –12…having Copper Cliff students feed into the secondary school
in Lively…also responsive to community’s desire to have a school located
in each community (Whitefish, Lively and Copper Cliff)”
From Nov.12, 2007 ARC-Sudbury West Report
The Director, however, has chosen to ignore vital aspects of this
thoughtfully produced report and has indicated that her wishes are
otherwise.
If the Rainbow Board supports her recommendations as opposed to Option A
in the ARC Report- the preferred choice of the committee and the
community- I feel they will have made a mockery of all the agonizing
done by the ARC-Sudbury West members and all of the parents, individuals
& community groups (including Walden-CAN) that conscientiously worked
within the Ministry guidelines – in each step of the process.
If a plan was already conceived, there was no reason for our schools &
communities to be part of the ARC process. The Sudbury West
accommodation review would not be a democratic process – but an exercise
in showmanship! Telling us that the Ministry insists that this ARC
process be followed is not a good enough answer!
On February 19th we’ll learn who makes the decisions impacting the
future of our rural schools in the outlying communities of CGS- the
School Trustees, the Administrative Council or the Ministry.
Value to our students and value to our communities should outweigh
value to the school board.
Note: The final opportunity for public input is at the January 21st
Board Meeting in Council Chambers at Tom Davies Square. Deadline for
Briefs is Jan.11
For more information check
www.Walden-CAN.com See our Beaver Lake page, ARC-Sudbury West
page, Letters page or
www.URSudbury.com or
www.rainbowschools.ca
Gwen Doyle, Co-Chair, Walden-CAN
Copy of Dec. 4,2008 email sent to Jason Neva, Ernie
Heerschap
Good afternoon Gentleman,
Let me start by thanking You both for the opportunity to discuss RH
Murray School and the future of this learning institution with You last
evening. As firmly stated I am 100% in support of the ARC's
recommendations and will do all that I can to bolster support for such.
I will also gather answers to the questions posed to me regarding the
outdoor athletic facilities and costs of upgrades, building permits that
have been issued over the past few years for the zone affecting RH
Murray, potential development for the Whitefish First Nation Reserve and
support of council and the Mayor to lobby the Rainbow Board Trustees.
I am of the belief that the only real solution to the problem created by
the Administrative Council lies in the support of the Trustees.
As directed by the Ministry of Education, the ARC that was struck almost
a year ago, delivered recommendations that solved and served the needs
of our students and the Rainbow School Board. Throughout many heart
wrenching and difficult decisions, this school and community group came
together unanimously with what was seen by most residents as an
extremely sensible and responsible set of recommendations.
The very fact that the Administrative Council chose to ignore the
recommendation speaks volumes of their arrogance and lack of interest in
doing the RIGHT thing. Their rejection of the ARC recommendation will
surely formulate a recipe for failure as what person with a sane mind
would willingly volunteer to sit on such a committee in the future?
Only 12 months ago a set of recommendations came to city council in the
form of the Constellation City Report. Almost 90% of this report has now
been implemented with more to come to fruition in the year and years to
come. Had council have decided to shelve this report the result would
have had huge implications not the least of being a boycott of community
panels by our residents for years to come.
In that report were many recommendations to become an inclusive city and
to give our smaller communities the attention and respect they so
deserve. The response by said communities has been for the most part
positive.
The decision by the Administration Council does absolutely nothing to
help bridge the gap between Old City and New Amalgamated City in that
once again the little "guy" is being ignored.
I recently toured RH Murray and other Rainbow Board Schools in the area
and as expressed to Principle Jack, I was "totally impressed"! This is
truly a learning institution and not one only of the book nature, but
one of life lessons, leadership and comradery. I left that school with
an extra bounce in my step and feeling great about the school
experiences we are offering our children.
In closing I sincerely apologize for not making the meeting this evening
due to a previous commitment, but I will do everything possible to make
the next meetings and to support the efforts of the school and community
group going forward.
Regards,
Jacques Barbeau
Join Our Fight to
Keep R.H. Murray Open!
Recently, the Rainbow District School Board’s Administrative Council has
released a report recommending the closure of three Walden area schools
and to combine them into one large school to be located in the Lively
area. The proposed closure of R.H. Murray Public School is in direct
contravention of the recommendations made by a community committee
commissioned by the Board to review the needs of the children.
The Ministry of Education has laid out guidelines that must be followed
as part of a school closure (accommodation review). An Accommodation
Review Committee (ARC) was assembled of parents, teachers, principals
and community members from the affected schools to gather community
input, review data and propose recommendations to the School Board.
During the public consultation process many parents, citizens and
community groups expressed their concerns to keep local community
schools open and not warehouse our children in large super schools.
The recommendations put forth by the ARC were to keep a school in each
community and support small schools. I find it upsetting the Rainbow
Board Council has chosen to arbitrarily ignore the ARC community
committee’s recommendation to keep local community schools open.
The value of R.H. Murray Public School to the students and community was
clearly expressed during the public consultation by various individuals
and groups. The school has been recently noted by the Fraser Institute
as one of the top schools in Ontario. The area served by R.H. Murray
Public School serves over 400 square kilometers and includes the areas
of Whitefish, Penage, Beaver Lake, Fairbanks and the Whitefish Lake
First Nation. Many of these young children already ride the bus for well
over an hour each day. An additional forty minutes round trip is not
acceptable.
The board has cited consultant building reports and declining population
as its main argument for this school’s closure. In one public meeting,
the Greater City of Sudbury’s planner acknowledged that the population
data used by board was prior to the latest census and is outdated. The
data also did not take into account the recent mining boom and recent
lifting of the housing building permit bans in this rural area.
Vale Inco is investing 400 million dollars into Totten mine and is
attracting hundreds of workers to the area. The board considers these
figures as ‘overly optimistic’, however construction has already started
and people are being hired. Perhaps it is time for the board to
recognize the long-term growth potential of the area and invest
accordingly.
There are many disturbing parallels of this process with the recent
amalgamation of the outlying townships into the Greater City of Sudbury.
The rural areas are again the targets of ill-advised cost cutting
centralization and this time it is at the expense of our children. Once
local services are eliminated from rural areas they are gone for good. I
urge anyone concerned with keeping our local schools open to contact
Board Trustee Gord Santala (866-5229) and express their concerns.
We need to be very vocal to ensure that the Rainbow Board
understands that
rural children should continue to be provided education in their own
community.
SEND YOUR CONCERNS TO THE BOARD TRUSTEES. Their complete names and contact
info are provided on
www.rainbowschools.ca They will ultimately make the final
decision and would like to hear public input.
santalg@rainbowschools.ca
campbe@rainbowschools.ca
wardr@rainbowschools.ca
morris@rainbowschools.ca
deward@rainbowschools.ca
hundaj@rainbowschools.ca
killenl@rainbowschools.ca
millerj@rainbowschools.ca
fox@rainbowschools.ca
charetn@rainbowschools.ca
A COMMUNITY/PARENTS MEETING is scheduled for JANUARY 4TH (7:00pm) at the
Beaver Lake Cultural Center. At this meeting, we will discuss our
strategy for the final board public meeting, which will be held on Monday,
January 21, 2008 at the Board Meeting Council Chambers, Tom Davies Square,
200 Brady Street, Sudbury at 6:30 pm.
The Board will hear public presentations related to the School Valuation.
Public presentations will be made in accordance with the bylaws of the
Board (see web site).
http://www.rainbowschools.ca/boardroom/accommodation/sudburyWest.php
Even if you cannot attend these meetings, please FORWARD THIS EMAIL to any
other parents, grandparents and/or community members that may be
affected by this closure now and in the future.
Thank you again for your support.
RH Murray Parents Association
contact jason_neva@persona.ca
The Next Step:
Rainbow District School Board Meeting- Dec. 17
Rainbow District School Board's Administrative Council will present the
Accommodation Review Committee's recommendations and the Administrative
Council recommendations to the Board at its regular meeting on Monday,
December 17 at 6:30 pm. This meeting will take place at the Board
Office, 69 Young Street in Sudbury.
Note: This is a public meeting.
Nicole Charette
Senior Advisor
Corporate Communications
and Strategic Planning
Rainbow District School Board
69 Young Street
Sudbury ON P3E 3G5
Phone: 705.674.3171, ext. 7217
Toll Free: 1.888.421.2661
Fax: 705.674.3167
charetn@rainbowschools.ca
Final
Report by ARC-Sudbury West is Posted on
www.rainbowschools.ca !
You can read the complete, 14 page, ARC-Sudbury West Final Report to the
Administrative Council re: Copper Cliff PS, George Vanier PS, Jessie
Hamilton PS, R.H. Murray PS and Lively DSS posted on
www.rainbowschools.ca/boardroom/accommodation/sudburyWest .
This is the culmination of 9 months in the Accommodation Review Process
in Sudbury West including: 4 Public Meetings and numerous opportunities
for input from parents & community stakeholders- at each stage- as the
committee moved toward the development of the Final 3 Options to
“…ensure that all students continue to have access to the best
programming possible, in qualitiy school facilities and to reduce
surplus space”
Walden-CAN wishes to thank the members of the Accommodation Review
Committee-Sudbury West for their excellent work, as well as the staff
and Trustees of the Rainbow D.S.B for their diligence and sensitivity to
the needs and wishes of our community members and their children.
The Next Steps in the ARC-Sudbury West Process!
Monday, December 17 Public Board Meeting: at 6pm the Administrative
Council presents the ARC School Valuation Report & the Administrative
Council Report to Board. The Public can
listen but not speak. This is our
opportunity to hear ‘first-hand’ the Final Reports & Recommendations to
our Trustees.
Monday, January 21 Public Board Meeting: 6pm the Board will hear public
presentations related to School Valuation.
Public presentations will be made in accordance with by-laws of the
Board
The public must make a formal request to give a ‘brief’ presentation
Check
www.rainbowschools.ca/boardroom/delegations.php for procedures
Your written Brief must be provided 10 days before the Public Meeting
Monday, January 28:
The Administrative Council will prepare a follow-up report to Board
based on public input.
Monday February 18 Board Meeting:
A final decision will be made regarding accommodation for the 5 public
schools in Sudbury West
If you have any questions re: the ARC- Sudbury West Process FAX 674-3167
or Email
accommodation@rainbowschools.ca
Remember, the last opportunity for public input
in the ARC- Sudbury West Process will be at the January 21st Board
Meeting.
Submitted by: Gwen Doyle, Co-Chair, Walden -CAN
Click on the following links to view slideshow and movie on Green School
Concept
http://streaming.rainbowschools.ca/vv_slides_test.mov - Full
version
slide show
http://streaming.rainbowschools.ca/valleyview.mov -
Valley View DVD
movie
You need Quicktime to view the movies, it can be downloaded for free
from
http://www.apple.com/ca/quicktime/download/
Co-Chair’s Update Re: ARC-Sudbury West Process
for Nov.8th Walden-CAN Public Meeting
Accommodation Review Committee Process re: 5 Public Schools in Sudbury
West
Background:
On June 20, 2007, Richard Bois- Co-Chair, Walden-CAN & Chair of the
Walden-CAN Education Task Force presented our “ Blueprint For Action”-
in Power Point & detailed written form to the ARC-Sudbury.
Having followed the 2 guiding principles of the ARC mandate “…to ensure
that all students continue to have access to the best programming
possible, in quality school facilities and to reduce surplus space.” –
we presented the following recommendations to ARC:
1. That both Copper Cliff & R. H. Murray PS should be maintained and
strengthened as vital Neighbourhood and Community Schools
2. That Lively DSS- the only secondary school in Sudbury West- should be
maintained and strengthened, as a viable choice for students – now and
for the future
3. That all Grade 7 & 8 students – including French Immersion- from
George Vanier PS and Jessie Hamilton PS be moved to Lively DSS
4. That Childcare for infants & toddlers in Partnership with Walden Day
Care should be established at LDSS- using 2 classrooms
5. That both George Vanier & Jessie Hamilton PS be closed and sold
6. That a new ‘green’ JK – Grade 6 Elementary School be built in the
Growth Corridor- on the south-side of HWY 55
Sept. 19 ARC –Sudbury West Public Meeting NO. 3:
We listened to the Update re: the demographics and development for
Sudbury West, the 6 ‘non-weighted’ Options developed by the committee
and the questions/concerns raised by the parents at the Sept. 19th ARC
Public Meeting No.3. We carefully examined all the information posted on
the Rainbow Board’s website and discussed the 6 Options and prepared our
Written Response to ARC.
Oct.17 ARC-Sudbury West Public Meeting NO.4: Gwen Doyle, Co-
Chair,Walden-CAN presented our Response to the 6 Options developed by
ARC
The Walden-CAN Education Task Force endorsed Option #6, with the
revisions – as outlined:
• That all Grade 7 & 8 students - from George Vanier & Jessie Hamilton-
including FI Grade 7 & 8 students -should be moved to LDSS
• That K-6 FI students from George Vanier should not be segregated in a
separate wing of LDSS but included with English Program K- 6 peers
• That all K-Grade 6 students from George Vanier- & Jessie Hamilton –
including FI students should be included in the new green school
A new ‘green’ school will also attract students currently attending
alternative schools and our co-terminus board. Such growth will compound
itself in terms of the quality of education received by our children and
the community pride felt by their parents.
-2-
Based on the current trends, our committee is optimistic in the rate of
growth in Sudbury West. Choosing Option #6 will maintain, strengthen and
expand access to quality education from pre-school to secondary school-
which is vital to developing and sustaining healthy communities in The
City of Greater Sudbury.
Note: The majority of parents & residents also expressed concern about
segregating the FI students from their English peers and strongly
opposed moving the K-grade 6 students to a separate wing at LDSS
Oct. 29th Media Release outlining 3 Options developed by ARC-Sudbury
West:
The Accommodation Review Committee plans to recommend the following
options, in order of priority, when it submits its report to the Board:
OPTION A
. R.H. Murray Public School and Copper Cliff Public School remain open
. R.H. Murray boundary extended towards the east for new students
effective September 2008
. Copper Cliff becomes feeder school for Lively District Secondary
School
. Move Grade 7 and 8 students from George Vanier Public School and
Jessie Hamilton Public
School to Lively District Secondary School (English and French
Immersion)
. Combine JK to 6 students from Jessie Hamilton Public School and George
Vanier Public School
into a new green school (English and French Immersion)
. Use a portion of Lively District Secondary School for non-student use
. Offer Grade 9 to 12 French Immersion at Lively District Secondary
School (Lively District
Secondary School would offer French Immersion from Grade 7 to 12)
OPTION B
. R.H. Murray Public School and Copper Cliff Public School remain open
. Move Grade 7 and 8 students from Jessie Hamilton Public School to
Lively District Secondary
School
. Move English and French Immersion programs, JK to 8, from George
Vanier Public School to
Lively District Secondary School, creating a school within a school
. Keep Jessie Hamilton Public School (JK to 6) open
OPTION C
. R.H. Murray Public School and Copper Cliff Public School remain open
. Move Grade 7 and 8 students from George Vanier Public School and
Jessie Hamilton Public
School to Lively District Secondary School (English and French
Immersion)
. Move French Immersion students, JK to 6, from George Vanier Public
School to a wing of Lively
District Secondary School
. Combine Jessie Hamilton Public School and George Vanier Public School
(English program) in a
new green school JK to 6
The public can submit written input to the Accommodation Review
Committee until Monday, November 5th, 2007
-3-
Walden-CAN & Education Task Force Response to 3 ARC Options:
“ The Walden - Community Action Network reviewed the final three options
to be presented to the Rainbow D.S.B. The result of this analysis leads
us to fully endorse and support Option A of the three possibilities.
The mandate of A.R.C.- Sudbury West included a statement that student
welfare should be paramount. The Committee has, in our opinion,
succeeded in fulfilling this promise with Option A. This option also
appears to accommodate most of the concerns of the parents and
community, yet it addresses the need to reduce space within the existing
group of schools. The realignment of boundaries, a new ‘green’ school,
along with a restructuring of the profile for L.D.S.S. seems to be a
creative yet pragmatic solution to the dilemma presented to the
Committee.
Options B and C were also discussed, however, both of these present
situations contrary to the wishes of an overwhelming number of parents
and community stakeholders. These views were made apparent during the
public meetings in a vociferous and forceful manner. As such, the Walden
C.A.N. cannot support Options B or C in any aspect.
We wish again to thank the members of the Accommodation Review Committee
for their excellent work, as well as the staff and Trustees of the
Rainbow D.S.B. for their diligence and sensitivity to the needs and
wishes of our community members and their children. ”
Emailed to ARC-Sudbury West Nov.2/07
Next Steps in the ARC-Sudbury West Process:
Week of November 12: Final ARC Report will be posted on RDSB website
Monday, November 19:
Administrative Council reviews the ARC report & prepares Administrative
Council recommendations
Monday, December 17 Public Board Meeting: at 6pm (Forum to be
determined)
Administrative Council presents the ARC School Valuation Report & the
Administrative
Council Report to Board; Public can listen but not speak
Monday, January 21 Public Board Meeting: 6pm (forum to be determined)
The Board will hear public presentations related to School Valuation.
Public presentations
will be made in accordance with by-laws of the Board
The public must make a formal request to give a ‘brief’ presentation
Check www.rainbowschools.ca/boardroom/delegations.php for procedures
Your written Brief must be provided 10 days before the Public Meeting
Monday, January 28:
The Administrative Council will prepare a follow-up report to Board
based on public input.
Monday February 18 Board Meeting:
A final decision will be made regarding accommodation for the 5 public
schools in Sudbury West
There is only one more opportunity to provide your input into the future
of the 5 public schools in Walden- Monday, January 21!
For Immediate Release
Monday, October 29, 2007
Accommodation Review Committee for Sudbury West Area Schools releases
proposed recommendations
The Rainbow District School Board Accommodation Review Committee for
Sudbury West Area Schools released its proposed recommendations today.
The recommendations follow a series of public meetings on the future
accommodation of students at Copper Cliff Public School, George Vanier
Public School, Jessie Hamilton Public School, R.H. Murray Public School
and Lively District Secondary School.
The Accommodation Review Committee is made up of parents/guardians from
School Councils, the school principal, a teacher, the area
superintendents and a municipal representative.
The Accommodation Review Committee plans to recommend the following
options, in order of priority, when it submits its report to the Board:
OPTION A
. R.H. Murray Public School and Copper Cliff Public School remain open
. R.H. Murray boundary extended towards the east for new students
effective September 2008
. Copper Cliff becomes feeder school for Lively District Secondary School
. Move Grade 7 and 8 students from George Vanier Public School and Jessie
Hamilton Public School to Lively District Secondary School (English and
French Immersion)
. Combine JK to 6 students from Jessie Hamilton Public School and George
Vanier Public School into a new green school (English and French
Immersion)
. Use a portion of Lively District Secondary School for non-student use
. Offer Grade 9 to 12 French Immersion at Lively District Secondary School
(Lively District Secondary School would offer French Immersion from Grade
7 to 12)
OPTION B
. R.H. Murray Public School and Copper Cliff Public School remain open
. Move Grade 7 and 8 students from Jessie Hamilton Public School to Lively
District Secondary School
. Move English and French Immersion programs, JK to 8, from George Vanier
Public School to Lively District Secondary School, creating a school
within a school
. Keep Jessie Hamilton Public School (JK to 6) open
OPTION C
. R.H. Murray Public School and Copper Cliff Public School remain open
. Move Grade 7 and 8 students from George Vanier Public School and Jessie
Hamilton Public School to Lively District Secondary School (English and
French Immersion)
. Move French Immersion students, JK to 6, from George Vanier Public
School to a wing of Lively District Secondary School
. Combine Jessie Hamilton Public School and George Vanier Public School
(English program) in a new green school JK to 6
The public can submit written input to the Accommodation Review Committee
until Monday, November 5th, 2007 to:
Rainbow District School Board
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning
69 Young Street
Sudbury ON P3E 3G5
Email: accommodation@rainbowschools.ca
Fax: 705.674.3167
The Accommodation Review Committee is developing options for student
accommodation which will maximize student learning within the resources
available to the Board in keeping with two guiding principles - to
ensure that all students continue to have
access to the best programming possible in quality school facilities and
to reduce surplus space.
The Accommodation Review Committee will submit its report to the Board's
Administrative Council by November 12. The report will include the
mandate, the data, the process, public input and recommendations. The
report will be posted on the Board's website within the week.
Administrative Council will present the Accommodation Review Committee's
recommendations and the Administrative Council recommendations to the
Board at its regular meeting on Monday, December 17.
The Board will hear public presentations at its regular meeting on Monday,
January 21, 2008. Public presentations must be made in accordance with
Board by-laws, which are available at rainbowschools.ca
A final decision regarding the accommodation of students will be made at
the Board meeting on Monday, February 18, 2008.
For more information about the Accommodation Review, log on to
rainbowschools.ca and click on accommodation under "highlights".
Information is also available at Sudbury West area schools.
Media Contact:
Nicole Charette,
Senior Advisor, Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705.674.3171, ext. 7217.
> Nicole Charette
> Senior Advisor
> Corporate Communications
> and Strategic Planning
> Rainbow District School Board
> 69 Young Street
> Sudbury ON P3E 3G5
> Phone: 705.674.3171, ext. 7217
> Toll Free: 1.888.421.2661
> Fax: 705.674.3167
> charetn@rainbowschools.ca
>
>
> Nicole Charette
> Senior Advisor
> Corporate Communications
> and Strategic Planning
> Rainbow District School Board
> 69 Young Street
> Sudbury ON P3E 3G5
> Phone: 705.674.3171, ext. 7217
> Toll Free: 1.888.421.2661
> Fax: 705.674.3167
> charetn@rainbowschools.ca
Walden-Community Action Network
Education Task Force
Response to
6 Options
…Developed by
ARC-Sudbury West
Presented by: Gwen Doyle, Co-Chair,
Walden-CAN
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Walden-CAN Education Task Force
…Response to 6 Options developed by ARC-Sudbury West
Background:
On June 20, 2007, Richard Bois- Co-Chair, Walden-CAN & Chair of the
Walden-CAN Education Task Force presented our
"Blueprint For Action”- in Power Point &
detailed written form to the ARC-Sudbury.
Having followed the 2 guiding principles of the ARC mandate “…to ensure
that all students continue to have access to the best programming
possible, in quality school facilities and to reduce surplus space.” –
we presented the following recommendations to ARC:
1. That both Copper Cliff & R. H. Murray PS should be maintained and
strengthened as vital Neighbourhood and CommunitySchools
2. That Lively DSS- the only secondary school in Sudbury West- should be
maintained and strengthened, as a viable choice for students – now and
for the future
3. That all Grade 7 & 8 students – including French Immersion- from
George Vanier PS and Jessie Hamilton PS be moved to Lively DSS
4. That Childcare for infants & toddlers in Partnership with Walden Day
Care should be established at LDSS- using 2 classrooms
5. That both George Vanier & Jessie Hamilton PS be closed and sold
6. That a new ‘green’ JK – Grade 6 Elementary School be built in the
Growth Corridor- on the south-side of HWY 55
The 6 Options developed by ARC-Sudbury West:
After listening to the other detailed Presentations, from parents &
community groups and examining them more fully on the Rainbow Board
website, we looked forward to hearing the Options developed by ARC
–Sudbury West.
We have listened to the Update re: the demographics and development for
Sudbury West, the 6 ‘non-weighted’ Options developed by the committee
and the questions/concerns raised by the parents at the Sept. 19th ARC
Public Meeting No.3. We have carefully examined all the information
posted on the Rainbow Board’s website and discussed the 6 Options.
We strongly endorse and support Option #6 with the following
adjustments:
A. We strongly support Recommendation # 1 & 2 - as described in Option
6:
1. RH Murray & Copper Cliff will remain open
a. Vital neighbourhood/community schools would be maintained &
strengthened
b. Changing the school boundaries could help increase enrollment at R.
H. Murray ie 80% capacity with 40 new students
2. Move Grade 7 & 8’s from George Vanier & Jessie Hamilton to LDSS
a. This has proven to be effective & beneficial to grade 7 & 8 students*
in other district secondary schools: CVDCS, E. S. Macdonald Cartier,
Northeastern S.S, and Marymount Academy.
*See Appendix A – Grade 7 & 8 Students in a Secondary School Setting
Art Neufeld, Former Principal, CVDCS, Member of Education Task Force
b. Include Grade 7& 8 F.I. students at LDSS- as outlined in our June
20th Proposal
B. We cannot endorse Recommendation # 3 – as described in Option 6:
3. Move French Immersion K- Grade 6 to a wing of LDSS
a. This was a major concern expressed by parents at the Sept.19 Public
Meeting
“…I would absolutely not send my children (aged 5 & 8 years) to a high
school. It’s not good for children that age to be exposed to the same
things that older children are exposed to.” Christine Liscum, Lively
b. We are concerned that this recommendation would segregate the K –
Grade 6
F.I. students from their English Program peers and deprive them of the
benefits
of an elementary school culture
c. We believe that the separation of the F.I. students K – Grade 6 could
cause concerns with a belief of elitism, or their lack of interaction
with peers of various abilities and programs could cause anxiety, or
even feelings of isolation.
d. We strongly believe that F.I. students should be included in the new
Green school- rather than be isolated at LDSS
C. We strongly support Recommendation # 4 …with inclusion of F.I. K-6
students
4. Combine Jessie & the English program from George Vanier into a new
green
K- 6 school
a. We agree that it is fiscally responsible to close & sell George
Vanier & Jessie Hamilton…saving $7.5 million in capital repairs & ½
total operating costs for 2 schools
“…From a taxpayer’s point of view, the most prudent, financial
alternative is to close and sell George Vanier & Jessie Hamilton in
order to maximize financial resources- from a capital and operating
perspective- while meeting the two guiding principles of the ARC
Mandate.” Richard Bois, Co- Chair, Walden-CAN
b. We believe that the new green school should be built in the growth
corridor
– south of HWY 55
c. We strongly believe, however, that the F.I. students from George
Vanier
should be included in the new green school
Final Comments
The ARC-Sudbury West should be commended for the work they have
accomplished over the past months. Knowing the diverse populations they
represent, we realize that there will never be a “one size fits all
solution”.
The Walden-CAN Education Task Force endorses Option #6, with the
revisions we have outlined. We feel that it would be the best solution –
using the two Guiding Principles in the ARC Mandate – for the greatest
number of students in Sudbury West.
A new ‘green’ school will also attract students currently attending
alternative schools and our co-terminus board. Such growth will compound
itself in terms of the quality of education received by our children and
the community pride felt by their parents.
Based on the current trends, our committee is optimistic in the rate of
growth in Sudbury West. Choosing Option #6 will maintain, strengthen and
expand access to quality education from pre-school to secondary school-
which is vital to developing and sustaining healthy communities in The
City of Greater Sudbury.
Appendix A
Grade 7 & 8 Students in a Secondary School Setting
1. Precedence has been set in the Rainbow School Board for Grade 7 & 8
students to attend classes within a secondary school building both at
the former Northeastern Secondary School and currently in Chelmsford
Valley District Composite School. The model is also currently operating
successfully at Marymount Academy in the Sudbury District Catholic
School Board.
2. The Grade 7 & 8 students are part of a larger school in certain
aspects, yet separate as a group. They maintain their regular elementary
teachers and curriculum. Their classes, lunch hour, and free time
activities are usually segregated from the older secondary school
students. This segregation occurs in a physical sense in that their
classes are in a separate wing or part of the school. Their lunch hours
are staggered so that they can eat alone, possibly even in a separate
location if possible (as done in CVDCS)
3. The students are part of the school when it comes to assemblies e.g.
Christmas, Remembrance Day etc. They are able to use a larger and better
gym facility, family studies rooms, computer labs, library and shops.
This enriches their curriculum in an amazing manner. These activities
are scheduled around secondary usage, so that no groups are mixed.
4. Busing concerns are also a non-issue as the elementary teachers
supervise the bus loading areas – before and after school- as per their
contracts.
Art Neufeld, retired Principal, CVDCS
Member, Walden-CAN Education Task Force
(Accommodation Review Committee)
Below is a link to the Walden CAN Power
Point presentation to the Accommodation Review committee on June 20th
2007
Walden CAN
Powerpoint Presentation
June 12th Update from Walden-CAN Education Task
Force
A. ARC- Sudbury West Process:
1. Background:
In keeping with the Ministry guidelines, the Rainbow District School
Board established an Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) to review the
5 schools in Sudbury West: Copper Cliff SP, George Vanier PS, Jessie
Hamilton PS, R.H.Murray PS & Lively DSS. The ARC-Sudbury West consisting
of: 5 Principals, a Teacher representative-per school, Co-Chairs of 5
School Councils and a community representative began the accommodation
review process on Feb.21 and it will be completed on Feb.18, when the
Trustees of Rainbow Board makes their final decision re: best
accommodation Options/s for Sudbury West schools. Any changes that may
be approved would take effect in Sept.2008.
2. Why ARC?
Sudbury West has the most surplus space & the greatest number of
facilities that are prohibitive to repair. There are also enrolment
pressures: Jessie Hamilton PS is over capacity & the other schools are
under capacity.
3. Mandate has 2 Guiding Principles:
a. To ensure that all students continue to have access to the best
programming possible in quality school facilities
b. To reduce surplus space
4. School Valuation Framework provides starting point:
a. Each schools completed a comprehensive School Valuation Framework
–focused on the value of school to the student, the community, the
school board and the local economy
b. The data collected & comments from business, corporations, community
groups & individuals- for each school is posted on www.rainbowschools.ca
& on ARCSW Page of www.walden-can.com
5. ARC-Sudbury West Public Meetings:
a. A minimum of 4 ARC-Sudbury West Public Meetings will be held at
Lively DSS:
May 24th, June 20th, Sept.19th & Oct.17th
b. Other Public meetings can be scheduled
c. Agendas & Minutes of these Meetings are posted on
www.rainbowschools.ca
d. Ads are placed in the 2 local newspapers & posted on Walden-CAN
website
6. Public Input to ARC-Sudbury West:
a. Parents/guardians, the community & individuals can provide written
Input to ARC & make Presentations at the ARC Public Meetings
b. Requests for presentations must be made in writing prior to meeting
to: Superintendent Sharon Speir accommodation@rainbowschools.ca Fax:
674-3167
c. Presentations limited to 10 minutes
d. Those unable to attend the public meetings can provide written input-
within the timelines specified in the Schedule of Public Meetings
B. May 1st Walden-CAN Education Task Force- Planning Meeting; developing
our strategy
1. Gather Information: all necessary data to permit the development of
Option/s
* Information-Gathering Meeting with Chairs School Council & Trustee
Gord Santala
2. Evaluate all data available
3. Attend May 24th ARC Public Meeting
-2-
4. Brainstorm to develop Option/s using 2 guiding principles + focus on
philosophy of Floyd’s
report…CGS a community of communities ( strengthen & develop outlying
communities)
5. Develop Power Point Presentation + written Input for June 20th ARC
Public Meeting
C. May 9th HSTF Information-Gathering Meeting: Co-Chairs of 5 School
Councils + Trustee
1. Walden-CAN HSTF shared background information re: mandate, goals &
objectives
2. Trustee Gord Santala explained the ARC process:
a. Stressed importance of community providing input re: how to reduce
surplus space
b. All options will be considered!
c. No monetary parameters!
d. W-CAN could provide data re: what’s happening in the development of
Walden- businesses, real estate, mining etc
e. Walden-CAN should use Two Guiding Principles of ARC Mandate
3. School Council Chairs shared background re: ARC Meetings & process:
a. All agreed in the importance of 5 schools working together to develop
solutions to reduce surplus space in Sudbury West
b. Must use good common sense to benefit all students & communities
c. Not an adversarial process
d. Will look at all possibilities & narrow down to several Options to
present to Public at Sept. 19th Public Meeting
4. Walden-CAN offered to help publicize the ARC process: In our
newsletter & Sudbury Star
Column and on our website
5. Walden-CAN HSTF could make several presentations- during process:
a. Contact Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor, Corporate Communications &
Strategic Planning with any questions
b. Provide written copies of presentation to ARC ahead of meeting- so
they can read them before meeting
D. May 24th ACR-Sudbury West Public Meeting NO.1: Lively DSS
1. Present: ARC –Sudbury West, all Trustees, Administrative Council of
Rainbow Board, Board
Office staff, parents from 5 schools & members of the community plus
local media.
2. Majority of audience were young parents & former graduates from LDSS
3. Opportunity for 10 minutes of questions after each of 5 sections of
Agenda: Board Data
(enrolment, surplus space, cost of repairs etc) , School Valuation
Framework and CGS
Demographic Trends & Development Activity in Sudbury West
* People had many specific questions related to each topic covered
4. Many additional questions written on chart paper: to be answered
later & included with
Minutes
5. Hand-outs for each section of Agenda were provided
6. Minutes are posted: on Rainbow Schools website & on ARCSW Page of
www.walden-can.com
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E. June 5th ETF Meeting: Brainstorming session to develop our Option/s
for presentation
1. Report & discussion re: May 24th ARC Public Meeting NO.1
2. Review of data provided at May24th Meeting & posted on website
3. Brainstormed options- what’s best for all students & communities &
fiscally responsible
4. Developed list of additional data & clarification of info needed re:
enrolment, programs,
school boundaries, impact of Totten Mine and development on Waters side
& Lively- over next 5
years etc; delegated jobs
5. Defined our option/s & developed order/content of outline for written
presentation
6. Gwen to prepare double-spaced draft for next ETF Meeting, June 13th
7. Richard to find someone to prepare Power Point presentation for us
8. Gwen to contact Nicole to confirm we want to make presentation at
June 20th ARC Public
Meeting; ask for Walden-CAN ETF to be 1st on Agenda
9. Richard to update Walden-CAN Executive at June 12th Meeting
Below is a link to the minutes of the May
24 meeting. Click on the little green word "minutes"
above the little pdf icon to access the minutes
May 24th Minutes of ARC Sudbury West Meeting
Rainbow District Schoolboard News Release (pdf)
Rainbow District Schoolboard Public Meetings (pdf)
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