Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the new South Guelph JK-8 FI Boundary Review web
page, letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on January 16, 2013. This
document will be updated as necessary throughout the boundary review process.
Question Quick Reference List
January 25, 2013 FAQ ................................................................................................................................. 2
Which students will receive busing to school? ......................................................................................................2
Will the Paisley FI students who have to cross Wellington St. be bused to school? .............................................2
Why is the new South Guelph school not being constructed further south in Guelph (past Arkell Road)? ..........2
Why is the French Immersion program at Paisley being affected again? ..............................................................2
Why can’t the Regular Track program at Paisley Rd be moved? ...........................................................................3
Why are there so many disruptions occurring in the French Immersion program? Do you take into
consideration the impact of multiple transitions on students? .............................................................................3
Will the split of 7/8 FI between 3 schools have a negative effect on the programming? .....................................3
What is the availability of Extended Day programs? .............................................................................................3
Is there a map available that would show FI enrolments in different areas? ........................................................3
Printed: Friday, January 25, 2013
P a g e |1
Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the new South Guelph JK-8 FI Boundary Review web
page, letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on January 16, 2013. This
document will be updated as necessary throughout the boundary review process.
January 25, 2013 FAQ
This document provides additional information to the public in response to feedback received via the Board’s
website and at the January 16, 2013 Public Information Session.
Which students will receive busing to school?
Eligibility for bussing is primarily based on the walking distance to a school from the student’s residence, and the
student’s grade level. Bussing is provided to students who must walk:
over 1.6 km (JK to Gr 1)
over 2.4 km (Gr 2 to 6)
over 3.2 km (Gr 7 to 8)
Appendix C in Report #2 shows the approximate walking limits from the new South Guelph school, John McCrae
PS, FA Hamilton PS and Paisley Rd PS. These maps do not consider safety/hazard issues. Walking routes are
assessed by the Service de transport de Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services (STWDSTS) to
ensure that the safest route for students. STWDSTS will complete this review prior to the 2014/15 school year.
Transportation eligibility policies and additional information may be found here: Transportation Services Policies
Will the Paisley FI students who have to cross Wellington St. be bused to school?
The concerns raised by Paisley FI parents about the crossing of Wellington St. have been noted by Staff from
STWDSTS. Other parents may also have similar concerns about alternate road crossings. A review and analysis
of walking route(s) is completed by the STWDSTS to establish safe walking routes for students. In January 2014,
the STWDSTS will determine transportation eligibility for the Paisley FI students. Parents can access
transportation information under the Find my school link at the end of March 2014.
Why is the new South Guelph school not being constructed further south in Guelph (past Arkell
Road)?
The new JK-8 FI school site on Zaduk Place is located in an area where a significant amount of new housing
development is proposed. The Board had previously reserved a site in the Kortright East plan of subdivision in
anticipation that there will be many new families moving into this area.
There are 4 existing elementary schools (two public, two separate) accommodating the residential communities
south of Arkell Rd. Both public schools accommodate Regular Track students and are well utilized. French
Immersion students residing south of Arkell Rd are in closer proximity to the Zaduk school site in comparison to
both John McCrae PS and FA Hamilton PS.
Why is the French Immersion program at Paisley being affected again?
This review was initiated to establish a boundary for a new JK-8 FI centre in South Guelph. The opening of a new
FI centre presents an opportunity to relieve FI enrolment pressures at FA Hamilton PS, John McCrae PS and
Paisley Rd PS. The scope of this review does not consider changes to Regular Track programs.
Printed: Friday, January 25, 2013
P a g e |2
Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the new South Guelph JK-8 FI Boundary Review web
page, letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on January 16, 2013. This
document will be updated as necessary throughout the boundary review process.
Why can’t the Regular Track program at Paisley Rd be moved?
The reassignment of a full program (ie. RT program at Paisley) would require the Board to undertake an
Accommodation Review. The boundary review process is being used to address the immediate pressures
resulting from the implementation of Full Day Kindergarten by 2014.
Why are there so many disruptions occurring in the French Immersion program? Do you take into
consideration the impact of multiple transitions on students?
Accommodation and boundary reviews happen when there is a need. In the last three years, French Immersion
enrolment in Guelph elementary schools has grown from 1,654 students to 2,186 students – approximately 33%.
The numbers have been trending upward since 2001, and there’s no sign FI numbers in the City of Guelph are
leveling off or will decline. The implementation of Full Day Kindergarten has added to this issue.
At the conclusion of the Centre Guelph (FI) Accommodation Review it was known that there would be continued
French Immersion enrolment pressures in South Guelph. The scenario approved by Trustees included the
opening of a new school in South Guelph before 2017. Boundary changes are necessary in order to establish the
attendance area of the new school.
Educators and school communities have resources at their disposal to minimize social impacts and facilitate
transition. John McCrae PS, FA Hamilton PS and Paisley Rd PS have each worked closely with their communities
to ensure smooth transitions for students as a result of changes from the Centre Guelph review. As we move
closer to any future changes there will be many opportunities to get involved by assisting in the creation of a
plan ensuring a smooth transition.
Will the split of 7/8 FI between 3 schools have a negative effect on the programming?
The experience of the Board is that the number of 7/8 FI students that would be at each of the three FI schools
in the scenarios is enough to provide viable programming. We have other schools in the system with similar
enrolments in the 7/8 program that are able to provide appropriate rotary programs, extra-curricular activities,
and an overall good experience for students. By 2017, it is projected that the three 7/8 FI programs in the City
of Guelph will be relatively balanced at approximately 120-140 students each.
What is the availability of Extended Day programs?
Extended Day programs in the Upper Grand District School Board are run by third-party child care providers and
are currently offered at several schools where FDK has been implemented. Each year, during Kindergarten
registration, parents/guardians of SK-Grade 2 students are surveyed to determine their interest in an Extended
Day program. The Board annually requests proposals from interested third party child care providers to offer
Extended Day programs in schools where viability has been determined. More information will be available on
this matter in January 2014. Please see Extended Day Program Information on the Board’s website.
Is there a map available that would show FI enrolments in different areas?
The map on the following page shows the existing and projected JK-8 FI enrolments for the areas involved in the
New South Guelph JK-8 FI Boundary Review.
Printed: Friday, January 25, 2013
P a g e |3
New South Guelph JK-8 FI Centre
Boundary Review
SPEEDVALE AVE E
Sub-Area Enrolment Projections
2012 - 112
2014 - 115
2017 - 125
2021 - 140
O AVE
WATERLO
WE
LLIN
GT O N
2012 - 160
2014 - 165
2017 - 170
2021 - 185
124
WELLINGTON RD
ST
ON
E
3
RD
VICTORIA RD N
WOOLWICH ST
2
A
OS
ELIZABETH ST
ST W
YORK RD
4
COLLEGE AVE E
STONE RD E
RD
W
2012 - 91
2014 - 95
2017 - 105
2021 - 115
2012 - 228
2014 - 265
2017 - 315
2021 - 325
KORTRIG
HT R
DW
6
HANLON EXWY
5
Legend
2012 - 74
2014 - 140
2017 - 250
2021 - 340
7
EDINBURGH RD S
ARKELL RD
8
CLAIR RD W
VICTORIA RD S
L EY RD
AM
ER
GORDON ST
1
PA I S
WY
HANLON EX
2012 - 186
2014 - 200
2017 - 220
2021 - 235
EDINBURGH RD N
WELLINGTON RD 31
2012 - 125
2014 - 130
2017 - 140
2021 - 140
SILVERCREEK PKY S
WILLOW RD
SILVERCREEK PKY N
SPEEDVALE AVE W
2012 - 222
2014 - 230
2017 - 235
2021 - 235
CLAIR RD E
W
EL
LIN
GT
ON
RD
Sub-Area with
JK to 8 enrolments
Total JK-8 enrolment
34
Year
UGDSB Planning Dept. January 2013
HIGHWAY 6
2012 - 100
2014 - 120
2017 - 160
2021 - 180
WE
LL
ING
TO
N
RD
3
5
School Location
9
2012 - 42
2014 - 40
2017 - 50
2021 - 55
This area includes all
of Puslinch Township
0
0.5
1
2 km