Board looks to change structure of two east-end schools

The review will examine Orléans Wood and Terry Fox elementary schools, according to information from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, looking specifically at grade configuration and boundary review in time for September 2010. A community open house is expected to be scheduled for later this month, while a board decision is slated for later this year.

The purpose of the study is to address dropping enrolment numbers and program viability at Orléans Wood and Terry Fox, explains Orléans-Cumberland trustee John Shea, pointing to a seeming trend in neighbourhoods north of the Queensway that are seeing lower enrolment numbers.

With 250 students at each school, “there are very small programs for students,” he recounts, especially divided between French and English streams. “There are many, many divisions that have less than 10 students in a grade.”

Though both schools have been able to dodge moving to triple-split classes in the past, “it’s only by one or two students a year,” Shea continues, with numbers expected to continue a slow decline in the future. Already some students are taught by the same teacher for two years and have minimal peer groups to draw from, he adds. “I’d love to see a grade division that has 40, 50 students,” Shea suggests, stressing it’s not a push for class sizes larger than provincial standards but fleshed-out grades. “(It would be nice) to have enough students in a grade to have a field hockey team, for example.”

Though there are a number of alternatives available, “the school closure option is not on the table at this time,” he says, also expressing relief the board is moving forward proactively instead of reacting in the future to potential issues like a triple-grade splits at either of the schools.

Closure seems especially unlikely with all-day kindergarten to be implemented soon, Shea explains, and with capital funds from the province to expand kindergarten facilities unlikely.

Implementing a dual track between French and English instruction at both schools – meaning JK to Grade 3 at one, and Grades 4 to 8 at another – is one alternative being considered, he continues, while another is looking at single-tracking both schools, with students heading to Terry Fox for Grades 7 and 8. “There are advantages and disadvantages to both options,” Shea adds, explaining there have already been numerous meetings between board representatives and council members. “We want a solution that everyone can buy into. Something needs to be done; the status quo is not preferable.”

Next, the issue will be put forward at a public meeting for all the school community later this month, he continues, with staff expected to table a report and bring forward a recommendation. Trustees will likely vote on the issue in December, Shea says.