Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the New Rockwood Elementary School
Boundary Review web page, letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information
Session on November 21, 2013.
New Rockwood Elementary School Boundary Review
FAQ Quick Reference List
Frequently Asked Questions – December 6, 2013........................................................................................ 2
1.
Why do the enrolment projections only consider a 10 year horizon? ............................................. 2
2. Why do both of the shortlisted scenarios have the new school over capacity and requiring
portables? ................................................................................................................................................. 2
3.
When is the new Rockwood school building scheduled to open? ................................................... 2
4. If the new Rockwood school building doesn’t open in September 2014, what is the plan for
accommodating students and when will we know the plan? .................................................................. 2
5.
Is there a process for attending a school other than the school we are assigned to? ..................... 2
6.
When will we know whether the new school will offer an Extended Day program?....................... 3
7. Will the same resources and supports be available at the new school as are available at
Rockwood Centennial PS?......................................................................................................................... 3
8.
Will FDK be delayed in Rockwood if the new school isn’t ready in September 2014?..................... 3
9.
Will the FI program be delayed in Rockwood if the new school isn’t ready in September 2014? ... 3
10.
Is it possible to have both Rockwood schools accommodate a JK-8 RT program? ...................... 3
11.
Why is there only one grade proposed to be grandparented in each shortlisted scenario? ....... 4
12.
Is it possible to stagger the bell times for Rockwood Centennial PS and the new Rockwood
school? ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
December 6, 2013
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the New Rockwood Elementary School
Boundary Review web page, letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information
Session on November 21, 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions – December 6, 2013
1. Why do the enrolment projections only consider a 10 year horizon?
The Board’s Planning Department does prepare longer term enrolment projections. For Boundary
Review processes, a 10 year timeframe is the most useful. There are several variables to be considered
in the enrolment projections for example: the pace of residential development in the area which can be
impacted by the local economy, birth rate fluctuations, changes in participation (public, separate) and
French Immersion participation. In addition, new Ministry initiatives may change the way education is
delivered and students accommodated (i.e. Full Day Kindergarten).
2. Why do both of the shortlisted scenarios have the new school over capacity and requiring
portables?
The shortlisted scenarios presented in Report 2 acknowledge that 1-2 portables may be necessary on
the new school site. The new school will be built for 308 pupil places, per the Ministry approval. The
Board has considered the potential for growth in Rockwood. The new school has been designed to
receive an addition in the future if necessary (gym and washrooms have been sized for a larger
population).
In the shortlisted scenarios, Staff looked to achieve a balance between the two Rockwood schools and
create local walkable school communities. As a result, it is not always possible to create a boundary that
fits perfectly into the size of the school. There are several variables that impact on a school’s enrolment.
Cohort sizes change year over year and will impact the number of classrooms required. The use of
portables on a school site is often necessary to allow for enrolment fluctuations.
3. When is the new Rockwood school building scheduled to open?
December 2014 is the projected opening of the new school building. Timing of the opening of the
school building will depend on weather conditions this winter. We are working with the construction
company to try to open the building closer to September.
4. If the new Rockwood school building doesn’t open in September 2014, what is the plan
for accommodating students and when will we know the plan?
Board staff is in the process of developing a contingency plan for where to house students if the new
school building is not ready in September 2014. A plan is being prepared to accommodate the
Rockwood Centennial PS and the new school’s students until the new school is ready. Contingency plan
details will be communicated to affected families closer to the spring.
5. Is there a process for attending a school other than the school we are assigned to?
An Out of Area request is required when parents wish to send their children to a school outside of their
home school boundary. As per the Out of Area policy, transportation is not provided to students
December 6, 2013
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the New Rockwood Elementary School
Boundary Review web page, letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information
Session on November 21, 2013.
granted Out of Area Permission. Parents are responsible for submitting an Out of Area application
annually to their home school, which is reviewed and discussed by Principals and the Superintendent of
Education according to the criteria in the policy. For elementary schools, decisions are communicated
before the end of the current school year for most requests received by May 15. See the web page
Information for Parents on Out of Area Attendance – Policy #501 for more details.
6. When will we know whether the new school will offer an Extended Day program?
During Kindergarten registration in February 2014, parents/guardians of JK/SK/Gr 1 students will be
surveyed to solicit interest in Extended Day programs. For the Rockwood area FI families who registered
in October for the new FI program, a survey will also be sent to these parents to solicit their interest in
Extended Day for September 2014.
An indicator of viability for an extended day program is 20 JK/SK students. Should there be enough
families indicating they are interested, the Board will go through a Request for Proposal process seeking
interest from daycare operators. Extended day programs are run by third-party child care providers.
Information on Extended Day program availability is generally communicated by April. This same
process is being followed at each of our schools as Full Day Kindergarten is rolled out throughout the
jurisdiction.
7. Will the same resources and supports be available at the new school as are available at
Rockwood Centennial PS?
Similar resources will be available at the new Rockwood school. Special Education (Resource) support is
available at all schools in the Upper Grand District School Board. Self-contained Special Education
classes are available at a limited number of schools. The location of these classes is determined by the
Program Department. However, at this time, the Special Education classes that are currently at
Rockwood Centennial are expected to remain there. Students in Rockwood will continue to have access
to these classes regardless of their home school.
8. Will FDK be delayed in Rockwood if the new school isn’t ready in September 2014?
The Board does not have the ability to delay FDK; the 5-year implementation was prescribed by the
Ministry.
9. Will the FI program be delayed in Rockwood if the new school isn’t ready in September
2014?
No, the FI program will start JK-Gr 1 in September 2014 in Rockwood.
10. Is it possible to have both Rockwood schools accommodate a JK-8 RT program?
Staff considered the possibility of two separate JK-8 RT programs in Rockwood but determined that
given that the enrolment of the 7 & 8 RT program is projected to decline, it is not beneficial to have
those grades split between two schools.
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the New Rockwood Elementary School
Boundary Review web page, letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information
Session on November 21, 2013.
11. Why is there only one grade proposed to be grandparented in each shortlisted scenario?
Grandparenting has historically been offered to students who are affected by a boundary change but
are about to enter their final school year. Grandparenting has also been offered in circumstances
where students would be required to move from and back to the same school within two years.
In the shortlisted scenarios, some students would move from Rockwood Centennial PS to attend the
new school for one year and would then move back to Rockwood Centennial PS. Grandparenting is
proposed for students who would be in this situation.
12. Is it possible to stagger the bell times for Rockwood Centennial PS and the new Rockwood
school?
Bell times will be discussed by the Principals in collaboration with Wellington-Dufferin Student
Transportation Services (STWDSTS) prior to the opening of the new school.
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