Jan 29th
In order to protect the identity of all individuals who have submitted
correspondence with regard to the Interim Move of Edward Johnson PS Students
and in keeping with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of
Privacy Act, all personal information and/or identifiers have been severed from all
recorded communication (i.e. e-mails and letters) prior to distribution. The intent
or message has not been changed.
Jan 29, 2015
Hi- I wanted to submit my comments on the proposed accommodation options for
Edward Johnson in September 2015. My son is currently one of the hundreds of
kindergarten students at EJ. Because of the size the student population at EJ right now,
I don't think that he gets much interaction with older students, which I feel is a real
detriment to his development. As such, I feel that it's important to keep EJ as a K-6
school, and strongly oppose the options of moving all students in upper grades to other
facilities. The option of adding more portables to the school is also not very appealing
as the school is so crowded as is. I feel that the only reasonable option is Option 5, to
draw new boundary lines and move students that will be moving already to a new
school. I feel that it is the least disruptive of all the options.
Regards,
xxxxxxxx
Jan 29, 2015
I am in support of option 4 as it seems the least disruptive. It makes the most sense to
me to move the grade 5 & 6's to King George a little earlier where they will be able to
get settled and meet up with some of their old friends that were moved earlier due to the
previous boundary review. I don't think getting upset about a playground having a few
portables on it at first can be compared to the emotional and mental stress that it
causes children when they are uprooted from their school and friends. No one likes to
see a playground that was just built get portables put on it but we need to think about
the students not the cost of the playground. Edward Johnson is a feeder school for King
George is it not? Are there not quite a few former EJ students currently attending King
George as a result of the previous boundary review? Also, has anyone been inside
Tytler PS? Can we remember that it was closed for a reason? I would invite the
Trustees to perhaps take a tour of Tytler before they make a decision and seriously
consider if they would want any of their children attending Tytler - no grass, oldest
school in Guelph and the bathrooms are in the basement. Has there been any updates
to Tytler? Is it safe for our children to attend? Is there mold? Is there asbestos? A little
Jan 29th
sweeping and painting will not make Tytler ok to send our children to. Please take your
time and consider the children when making this decision. Thank you.
Jan 29, 2015
I echo many of the sentiments from the parents who have expressed interest in the
Option #5. I believe that this seems to be the most logical, common-sense approach,
while also respecting the culture of EJ and minimizing disruption for the most
students/parents. It allows the children who will be switching to Couling Cres school to
begin their transition together. Other options would have my three children in three
different schools and the logistics (with before & after school care) are absolutely looney
to try to plan (especially as a single mom).
I am hopeful and optimistic that those who are working on this new building site are
doing so with expediency. Are there elements of this project that could be shared with
parent professionals in their respective fields that could help speed up the building
process? Volunteers or experts for a reduced cost?
I am thankful to read the input from parents of students at the other schools; and
concerns about EJ students impacting their children's school lives.
I really appreciate the way the Board consulted with parents for direction on this matter.
It is refreshing that a novel approach has been used to make the wisest decision
possible. I hope that conversations continue with other jurisdictions who have moved
forward through enrolment pressures of a similar nature so that we can minimize any
“re-invention of the wheel” situations, waste of financial resources or precious time. Has
anyone discussed any of this with their older children? What do the students think of all
of this? This is their reality.
It may be useful to have a parent advisory committee to provide feedback/ questions/
comments/ to the Board/School to maintain a communication connection and way to
alleviate stress/ create networking. There is a wealth of knowledge, finances and love
and support that will be needed through this transition process and who better to help
support than each other?
More advocacy needs to be done to receive an increase in Ministry funding for such
wonderful French educational programming opportunities. Who would be an effective
leader in a matter such as this?
Jan 29th
Let’s move forward positively! Let’s find a good solution and support everyone in the
best way we can.
Many thanks for all the hard work going into making this a success.
Xxxxx xxxxxx
Jan 29, 2015
I have already offered comment regarding the Interim Student
Accommodation, however I wanted to add, as a few others have already touched on,
that Tytler PS is in a high crime neighbourhood and less than 500m from an intersection
notorious for drugs and violence. I, for one, will not be in agreement with our child
attending a school in that area. If we wanted our child to attend a school in an area like
that we would have stayed in downtown Toronto!
I acknowledge the difficulties that you are now facing with the enrollment influx, however
it is hardly fair on the students and parents to go from a school environment like EJPS
to Tytler PS. I believe that the effect on the students will be negative and will affect their
happiness and moods, their comfort, their confidence, and ultimately their well-being
and grades!
-Xxx xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jan 29, 2015
I attended the info session. Thank you for taking the time to communicate with us. I did
find it unfortunate that more parents did not take the time to attend.
School selection for me is one of the most important parent decisions. Last year it took
me a couple of months to choose which school to enroll my son in. To date I am nothing
but pleased with the choice to enroll in EJ. My son (xx) has severe anxiety and requires
support from the school for speech, learning etc. A move for him next year (pulling him
from his resources) would be detrimental. I think this would be the case for many
children making the shift from kindergarten to grade 1.
Jan 29th
I also have a child who is enrolling into jk. At this time I find it unacceptable that I do not
know which building/school this is for.
I will NOT allow my children to go to Tytler. I have concerns of mold, asbestos not to
mention the complete lack of outdoor play area.
I think adding portables and moving 5 and 6 to King George is the best option to get us
through the next 2 years.
I have read all the reviews. I appreciate parents don't want their children being split,
moved etc. But the reality is that these children will be moving to KG in a year or 2
anyway. It is much less disruptive than putting a hundred kindergarten aged children in
condemned school.
Tytler is unfit for any child and should not be an option at all.
All efforts should be directed towards getting the new Couling crescent school opened
as quickly as possible. Any money spent on interim accommodations (at Tytler) is
money misspent. I would be more than happy to help with anything that would help in
getting things moving in that direction.
For my children and all children affected by this unfortunate situation, I hope Tytler is
not considered as an acceptable choice. If it is, I believe separate issues will surface
regarding enrollment decline.
Thank you.