TIMING OF THE RUTLAND AREA GRADE
Good Morning!
CONFIGURATION CHANGE
Public Consultation Presentation 2014
Hugh Gloster, Superintendent of Schools
School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan)
August 24, 2010
PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA
6:30 – 6:40
– Introduction and Welcome
6:40 - 7:00
– District Presentation
7:00 - 7:20
– Local School Information
7:20 - 7:30
– Next Steps - Process and Timelines
– Questions and Answers
BOARD MOTION AND DECISION
December 12, 2012
THAT: The District work towards the long-term goal of
phasing in a consistent grade configuration in all areas of
the District with K-5 elementary schools, Grade 6-8
middle schools and Grade 9-12 senior secondary
schools.
• The timing of changes to the grade configuration
structure will be based upon:
– The best needs of the students
– The needs of each individual and unique community within the
School District
– The need to manage growth and the best use of existing
school buildings
– Financial considerations
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
2012 Approval
Long Term
Facility Plan
1993
First Middle
School
Long Term District
Grade Configuration
(K – 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12)
Grade 7 – 9 Middle
Schools
2008 Grade
Configuration
Review
Confirmation of District
Grade Configuration
(K – 6, 7 – 9, 10 – 12)
GRADE CONFIGURATION AND
THE LONG-TERM FACILITY PLAN
• Guided by the following principles:
– All decisions are made in the best interest of students
– Community and partner group input are valued
• To foster an outstanding learning experience for
students, Rutland Grade Configuration should:
– Be driven by curriculum, program, instruction and assessment
needs
– Provide conditions and opportunities which support the
development of the Attributes of a Learner in the 21st Century
– Support the integration and use of learning technologies
– Optimize the integration of services to support students
EDUCATIONAL DRIVERS
• Designing Student Transitions that Support Learning
– Grouping students to meet the social/emotional and developmental needs
more effectively
– Provide Grade 9 students a transitional year at the secondary school to
prepare for graduation program processes such as provincial exams
• Align Educational Programming and Curriculum with the BC
EdPlan and the Graduation Program
– K – 5 Elementary Schools
• Focus on early learning, literacy and foundational skills
– 6 – 8 Middle schools
• Focus on exploratory curriculum that is developmentally responsive
– 9 – 12 Secondary Schools
• Focus on preparing students to effectively meet the learning outcomes of
the graduation program
• Creating Developmentally Responsive Teaching and Learning
Environments
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
• Grade 6 – 8 aged students are more developmentally
similar and appropriate in terms of physical, intellectual,
social and emotional needs and characteristics, and
their educational program can be more streamlined to
meet these needs:
–
–
–
–
–
Flexible schedules
Teacher teams
Mentorship/advisory program
Exploratories
Enrichment opportunities in areas of interest
WHAT WILL THE NEW PROGRAM
LOOK LIKE?
• WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) Transition Program
• A static, more elementary style timetable – allowing for
more flexibility, daily physical activity, project-based
learning, etc.
• Teaching teams (generally 2 teachers) to take
advantage of teacher strengths and assist with joint
planning to meet their students' needs
• Mentorship/advisory program – students will meet in
smaller groups first thing in the morning every day to
connect with their mentorship teacher (a teacher who
will also act as the students' advocate) and organize for
the day ahead
WHAT WILL THE NEW PROGRAM
LOOK LIKE?
• Exploratory options – all students will participate in the
regular core curriculum and four 10 week exploratory
options (art, music/band, home ec, and tech ed) for 3 –
57 minutes classes per week.
• Enrichment block – a 114 minute block of time per week
for students to work with a teacher in a mutual area of
interest (ie. Social Justice, Leadership, Robotics,
Community Quilting, Outdoor Education, Dance, Band,
Video Production, Foreign Language and Culture,
Drama, etc.)
WHAT WILL THE NEW PROGRAM
LOOK LIKE?
• Extra-curricular opportunities – includes a variety of
sports for all grade levels, intramurals, WE Day, spring
drama production, etc.
• Support services – learning assistance teacher(s),
counsellor, resource room teacher, Aboriginal
advocate(s), behavior intervention teacher, CEAs
Q&A
POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS
• Loss of Grade 6 Students at the Elementary
– Leadership opportunities
– Enrolment Trends
• French Immersion Program at Belgo
• Maintaining Status Quo
– Individual school vs K to 12 perspective
– Timing of the change
PROCESS AND TIMELINES
Phase 1 Consultation November – December 2015
SPC/PAC Meetings – All Schools
Feeder School Public Meetings
Staff Meetings
ThoughtExchange
Phase 2 Data Collection and Reporting December to January 2015
Data collection and analysis
Report to the Board
Phase 3 – Board Process – January 2015
Planning and Facilities Committee Meeting – January 21st
Board Public Meeting – January 28th
Phase 4 – Implementation – Dates to be Determined
Implementation Planning
Budget Process
Staffing
Program Development
YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT
• ThoughtExchange Online Process
– Questions regarding the timing of the Rutland Grade
Configuration Change
• Benefits
• Challenges
• Recommendations
– Feedback will guide staff recommendation and Board decision
What are potential benefits that you could
identify if the grade configuration change was
implemented:
Starting September 2015
Starting September 2016
What are the potential challenges you could
identify if the grade configuration change was
implemented:
Starting September 2015
Starting September 2016
Considering the benefits and
challenges, what recommendations
do you have?
QUESTIONS