Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
Question Quick Reference List
November 22, 2012 FAQ Update ................................................................................................................ 3
What is the focus of this boundary review; King George PS or Victory PS?...........................................................3
Can we do a business case for a renovation at Victory PS? ...................................................................................3
Can other groups (i.e. Paisley PS or RT at Victory PS) be engaged in this process? ...............................................3
How many portables can be accommodated on King George PS site? ..................................................................3
What is the true capacity at Victory including the portables? ...............................................................................3
What is the average cost of running a school bus for a year? ...............................................................................4
What is the cost of a portable? ..............................................................................................................................4
What does the Board believe is the appropriate age for children to walk home from bus and be at home alone
after school? ...........................................................................................................................................................4
Is 110% utilization at a school a trigger for a boundary review and is this a Ministry –mandated cap? ...............4
What is the plan if the enrolment at King George PS surpasses the On the Ground (OTG) capacity in 2017? .....4
..................................................................................................................................................................... 5
November 6, 2012 FAQ Update .................................................................................................................. 5
When did the Board last invest in the Victory PS facility? .....................................................................................5
When is the next planned investment in Victory’s physical structure? .................................................................5
What is the cost of maintaining Victory PS versus other schools of similar size?..................................................5
How can we use the scheduled FDK renovation as an opportunity to increase capacity and accessibility?.........5
What funding sources are available to the Board to help support a permanent expansion of Victory PS as longterm solution to the enrolment pressure issue?....................................................................................................5
What are the specific constraints to expanding the kindergarten wing? ..............................................................6
What is the Board’s perspective on balance of smaller, community school buildings in areas with slower or
more stable growth and the larger new school buildings in areas experiencing faster development? ................6
October 26, 2012 FAQ................................................................................................................................. 7
What is the impact of Full Day Kindergarten on Victory PS? .................................................................................7
Did the Boundary Review Committee consider removing regular track (RT) students from Victory PS? .............7
As a community can we opt out of Full Day Kindergarten? ...................................................................................7
What do the projections take into consideration? ................................................................................................7
What are the average historic French Immersion attrition rates? ........................................................................7
What is the boundary review process? ..................................................................................................................8
Why are the timelines for public input so short? ...................................................................................................8
Will you schedule an additional public meeting?...................................................................................................8
Printed: Friday, November 23, 2012
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
These reviews are happening too frequently. We need a long-term solution. .....................................................9
An advantage for Scenario 1 is “Ability to respond to future FI trends without Boundary Review process”.
What does this mean? ............................................................................................................................................9
Is it possible to increase Victory PS’s capacity by building an addition?................................................................9
Is it possible to increase Victory PS’s capacity through the use of portables? ................................................... 10
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) says buildings must be made accessible. Can
Victory PS be expanded in conjunction with a retrofit for accessibility? ............................................................ 10
Did the committee consider the impact of moving young children to a new school? ....................................... 11
What will happen in 2017 when King George PS is over capacity?..................................................................... 11
Have you considered the higher traffic volumes resulting from development in downtown Guelph? ............. 12
Did you consider the impact of the boundary review on residential property values?...................................... 12
Would it be possible to change Scenario 1 so fewer FI grades were moved to King George PS from Victory PS –
only grade 6, or just 5 and 6? .............................................................................................................................. 12
For Scenario 1, do you have a plan for addressing the loss of mentoring provided by grade 4-6 FI students to
the JK-3 students? ............................................................................................................................................... 12
Will students entering grade 6 at Victory PS be grandparented? ....................................................................... 12
Will students entering grade 8 at John McCrae be grandparented? .................................................................. 12
Will students get bussing to King George PS? ..................................................................................................... 12
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
November 22, 2012 FAQ Update
This update provides additional information to the public in response to feedback received via the Board’s
website and through delegations to Board and communication with Board staff and Trustees since the last FAQ
update on November 6, 2012.
What is the focus of this boundary review; King George PS or Victory PS?
The focus of this boundary review is the JK-8 French Immersion program at King George PS (effective September
2014). Within this review we have also considered capacity issues at neighbouring schools, hence Victory PS is
also involved. French Immersion capacity at King George PS provides an opportunity to resolve overcrowding at
Victory PS.
Can we do a business case for a renovation at Victory PS?
A business case for the renovation of Victory PS is not a realistic proposal. The Board has no capital funds that
have not been committed elsewhere, there are no additional dollars available from the Province and the Board
could not complete a major renovation at Victory prior to September 2014 given the number of projects
planned and underway.
Can other groups (i.e. Paisley PS or RT at Victory PS) be engaged in this process?
The scope of the Boundary Review Committee’s task was laid out in Report #1 and was approved by Trustees.
Report #1 explained that King George PS did not have the capacity to resolve projected overcrowding at both
Victory PS and Paisley PS, which is why the Paisley PS community is currently involved in the South Guelph JK-8
FI Boundary Review. Further, when Report #1 was released in June 2012, every parent received a letter from
the Principal indicating that this was a French Immersion boundary review (and therefore would not consider
changes to the Regular Track program at Victory).
How many portables can be accommodated on King George PS site?
King George PS has the electrical capacity for up to six (6) portables. This is a standard practice for new school
designs. Staff recognizes that the site configuration does not easily lend itself to accommodating six (6)
portables.
What is the true capacity at Victory including the portables?
The On the Ground (OTG) capacity of Victory PS will be 294 pupil places after the renovation is complete for FDK
(2014). There are currently three (3) portables on the Victory PS site. Portables accommodate an average of 23
students each which equals another 69 pupil places.
The OTG capacity plus the portable capacity would not be considered the “true” capacity of Victory PS.
Portables are deployed when necessary to give schools a buffer and some flexibility but it is irresponsible to plan
on filling every school to its maximum capacity including portables. The disadvantages to portables on the
Victory site have been listed under the question “Is it possible to increase Victory’s capacity through the use of
portables?”
Printed: Friday, November 23, 2012
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
What is the average cost of running a school bus for a year?
A bus costs on average approximately $40,000/year to operate. This fee is inclusive and is paid to independent
bus operators who are contracted by Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services.
What is the cost of a portable?
The cost of moving a portable is approximately $6,000.00, including trucking, set-up, connection to services and
inspection. It is important to note that the Board owns approximately 95% of all the portables across the
district. Since the elementary enrolment across the district is fairly static, when portables are required they are
moved from schools with declining enrolment to schools where enrolments are increasing.
What does the Board believe is the appropriate age for children to walk home from bus and be at
home alone after school?
Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services Policy 15 addresses parents accompanying students to bus
stops. The following is an excerpt from the policy:
Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten and Grade 1 students must be accompanied to the bus stop and
met at the bus stop for morning, afternoon and noon hour transportation. Furthermore, for safety
reasons, it is strongly recommended that all students enrolled in Grade 2 and Grade 3 be accompanied to
the bus stop and met at the bus stop.
There is currently no policy or Ontario law that specifies an age at which a child can be left home alone.
Is 110% utilization at a school a trigger for a boundary review and is this a Ministry –mandated cap?
The Board has defined a school with greater than 110% utilization as “overcrowded”. This is not a Ministry
mandated cap but rather one of several criteria that would determine whether a school needs to be reviewed.
Schools can differ significantly in how well they can absorb enrolment pressure. Although a school may fall into
the category of overcrowded, a number of other criteria would need to be considered such as washroom
capacity, site restrictions, portable capacity, septic capacity, etc.
At Victory PS, the issue is the projected enrolment relative to its capacity, along with the constraint of a
maximum 3 portables and concerns about the size of the site.
What is the plan if the enrolment at King George PS surpasses the On the Ground (OTG) capacity in
2017?
Staff acknowledged in Report #2 the need to monitor and address the growth at King George PS in the future.
Enrolment pressure projected at King George PS is attributed to both residential development and growth in
French Immersion occurring in East Guelph. Current projections suggest that King George PS may require one
(1) or two (2) portables by the 2017/18 school year, which would be reasonable.
Although King George PS has the electrical capacity for six (6) portables, Staff recognizes that this would not be
desirable for the site. If the upward trend in enrolment at King George PS is projected to be sustained beyond
2017, it will be necessary for the Board to consider options to meet the accommodation needs of the students.
Printed: Friday, November 23, 2012
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
November 6, 2012 FAQ Update
This update provides answers to questions about Victory PS -- the building, site, investments and suitability for
expansion. We understand that some parents view an expansion to Victory PS as their preferred solution to
projected overcrowding, and so we're offering these responses so that you have the facts. It is important to
note, however, that consideration of any physical alterations to the Victory PS building, except those already
approved in the FDK Capital Plan, are beyond the scope of the boundary review. Likewise, there has been no
consideration to removing the regular track program from the school.
When did the Board last invest in the Victory PS facility?
The Board invests regularly in building maintenance and repair in its facilities. At Victory PS in the past 10 years
the Board has invested in the following (not limited to):
replaced the entire mechanical system,
replaced the roofs of the 1919 and 1953 addition,
repaved a significant portion of the parking lot and playground, and
installed a solar array.
When is the next planned investment in Victory’s physical structure?
The Board has 25 year renewal plans for each of its facilities. As previously indicated, the next planned
significant investment at Victory PS is the conversion of three standard classrooms into two purpose built Full
Day Kindergarten rooms.
What is the cost of maintaining Victory PS versus other schools of similar size?
The costs to operate Victory PS are in line with other facilities.
How can we use the scheduled FDK renovation as an opportunity to increase capacity and
accessibility?
Capacity cannot be increased with the interior renovation approved.
The conversion of three standard classrooms (23 students each) to two FDK rooms (26 students each) results in
a loss of capacity. The provincial funding for this project is limited and can only be spent on FDK.
Renovations to address accessibility are managed on an as needed/as requested basis and may be done in
conjunction or exclusive of any other renovation plans within facilities.
What funding sources are available to the Board to help support a permanent expansion of Victory
PS as long-term solution to the enrolment pressure issue?
None at this time.
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
In September 2011, the Board launched the Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) Capital Plan, a comprehensive $90million plan to address enrolment pressures resulting from the implementation of FDK and growth in key
residential areas. Along with renovations at many schools, the plan includes the construction of four new or
rebuilt schools in Guelph -- two JK-8 FI centres (King George PS and a new school on Zaduk Place) and two JK-8
regular track schools (Laurine Avenue PS and a new school on Lee Street).
Much of the funding for the FDK Capital Plan is coming through provincial dollars specifically dedicated to FDK
capital construction, but the Board is also using $27 million in unspent New Pupil Place funds (an expired
program) and $8 million from a site reserve fund.
Every project goes through multiple approval steps through the Ministry of Education to ensure that funds are
spent responsibly. Our funds for capital improvements are limited, and committed through to 2014.
Under the Education Act it is the duty of the Board to promote student achievement and well-being, but we
must also "ensure effective stewardship of the board’s resources". The Board cannot borrow money, or raise
taxes. It is illegal for the Board to run a deficit.
If enrolment pressures arise that cannot be resolved through any other means in the future, the Board will work
to identify solutions that might involve new construction. Funding is not guaranteed, and must be applied for
annually -- the needs of the UGDSB are stacked against the needs of every other school board in the province.
What are the specific constraints to expanding the kindergarten wing?
There is no funding available to expand the building’s capacity beyond the FDK renovation.
Structural constraints do not make expansion a cost effective solution to addressing enrolment
pressure.
The school site size is not suitable for accommodating additional enrolment.
What is the Board’s perspective on balance of smaller, community school buildings in areas with
slower or more stable growth and the larger new school buildings in areas experiencing faster
development?
The Board supports schools of all size. Viable program for elementary education means, in the opinion of the
Board, the ability to provide and support the required curriculum within a balanced organizational structure.
The FDK Capital Plan takes into account the limitations of some school sites or buildings that may not be obvious
at first glance; for example, a rural school cannot be expanded because of limits to septic capacity, and or an
urban school may not have enough land. The Board attempts to “right-size” schools so that they are neither too
small nor too large, but the best possible size and configuration for each school’s elementary program.
The FDK Capital Plan is designed to ensure that the Board is as efficient and cost effective as possible when
accommodating students and looking after the significant public assets that it holds in trust.
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
October 26, 2012 FAQ
What is the impact of Full Day Kindergarten on Victory PS?
FDK will be offered at Victory PS in September 2014. This is the fifth and final year to implement this provincially
mandated program.
The FDK Capital plan proposes a $400,000 renovation at Victory PS, converting three regular kindergarten
classrooms (approx. 750 sq. ft.) into two FDK classrooms (1,000 sq. ft). An addition to expand existing
classrooms was considered, but deemed not feasible for a number of reasons, including proximity to property
lines. With the interior renovations the on-the-ground (i.e. bricks & mortar) capacity of Victory PS will be 294
pupil places, a reduction from 317 pupil places.
FDK funding from the province may only be spent on FDK related projects.
Did the Boundary Review Committee consider removing regular track (RT) students from Victory PS?
No, they didn’t.
The focus of this review is on the French Immersion program. The primary goal of the review is to create a viable
and sustainable JK-8 French Immersion program at King George PS while also addressing projected
overcrowding at Victory PS which is being driven by growth in the French Immersion program.
As a community can we opt out of Full Day Kindergarten?
FDK is a provincially mandated program, and must be implemented in all elementary schools by September
2014.
What do the projections take into consideration?
Enrolment projections consider a variety of factors including historic and future enrolment trends, attrition rates
between programs (i.e. FI to Regular Track) and birth data to generate forecasts.
Future residential development information is received from the City and yield rates by housing type are applied
to this development. This generates a student yield which is applied by grade and program at the schools where
the development is assigned for each year of the projection.
Census data is also used to verify assumptions about future student populations.
What are the average historic French Immersion attrition rates?
Historical FI attrition rates are applied on a grade specific and school specific basis in our projection model
system.
Historically at Victory PS, an average of two students per grade (grades 1 to 6) leave the FI program. These
students may join the RT programs at Victory PS, or June Ave PS. Some of the attrition may also reflect the loss
of students to gifted education after grade 3. Fluctuations in enrolment in general also reflect families moving in
and out of the attendance area. There is commonly an increase in enrolment from JK to SK which represents
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
students who did not enroll in JK. This increase has typically been just above 10% since we started our JK
program in January 2005.
What is the boundary review process?
A boundary review process is used to address situations where a school is overcapacity (>110% utilization) or
underutilized (<80% utilization) or in any school where the program delivery requires a higher than average
(Board-wide) allocation of staff resources.
A boundary review process is used when contemplating moving less than 50% of a school’s enrolment.
Victory PS was identified as a school with enrolment pressure to be addressed. With Full Day Kindergarten in
2014, Victory PS is projected to be 123% utilized. This overcapacity issue at Victory PS is projected to continue
beyond 2014.
Of the two shortlisted scenarios in Report 2, the percentage of students that are contemplated to be reassigned
from Victory PS in 2014 is approximately 20% in Scenario 1 and approximately 27% in Scenario 2.
Why are the timelines for public input so short?
The King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review follows the requirements of the board’s School Boundary Review
Policy #320. Boundary reviews usually take 4 to 6 months to complete. Parents were informed of the initiation
of the King George PS review in a letter home on June 13, 2012. The final report will be considered by trustees
on December 18, 2012.
Input from the community is welcomed, valued and strongly considered in the recommendations of the final
report. The following methods have been/are available for public input:
Public Information Session on October 23, 2012. Following the presentation by staff there was an open
question and answer period, opportunities to speak in person with Planning Department staff, and
written feedback forms available.
Online feedback form, available until the public input deadline of November 30, 2012.
Delegation to the Board of Trustees, at any Regular Board or Standing Committee meeting through to
December 18. Parents wishing to appear as a delegation must submit their request in writing, in
advance. Instructions are on the board website.
Also please note that the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review is one of a series of boundary reviews that
must be completed prior to the implementation of FDK in 2014. A delay in one boundary review sets a
precedent that parents might rightfully expect in subsequent reviews, creating a cascade of delays that is not in
the best interests of students.
Will you schedule an additional public meeting?
We’re sorry – no.
The King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review is following the procedures set out by Board policy. This FAQ is an
enhancement to the boundary review web page that allows us to address questions more fully than may have
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
been possible in the public information session, or that have come in subsequently. If new questions or concerns
come in we may respond with a new or revised FAQ.
Parents are reminded that they are welcome to delegate at the public sessions of the Board’s regular and
standing committee meetings. Instructions are on the board website.
These reviews are happening too frequently. We need a long-term solution.
We hear you, and fully appreciate your concern. 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.
Capacity and enrolment are also are also affected by Ministry of Education initiatives. For example in the last 10
years the board has been affected by these two initiatives:
In 2003, Good Places to Learn introduced primary class size caps which increased the amount of
classroom space necessary to accommodate students (full implementation was required by 2007/08).
Full Day Kindergarten was first introduced in UGDSB schools in 2010. FDK doubles the requirement for
kindergarten space which has typically been used by classes of half-day or every-other day students.
FDK must be in all of our elementary schools as of September 2014.
We make every effort possible to minimize the impact of boundary changes on students and families.
An advantage for Scenario 1 is “Ability to respond to future FI trends without Boundary Review
process”. What does this mean?
In Scenario 1, it is proposed that FI grades 4 to 6 at Victory PS will be redirected to King George PS. Normally,
these students would have gone to King George PS in Grade 7, so we’re advancing that shift by three years.
The Scenario 1 advantage “Ability to respond to future FI trends without Boundary Review process” means that
the board would have the flexibility to adjust the grade shift upwards or downwards without the necessity of a
4-month boundary review. For example, if there was a sustained trend towards declining JK enrolment resulting
in extra capacity at Victory PS, the board could take advantage of that classroom space and hold back Grade 4
students who would otherwise go to King George PS.
This is not to suggest that the grade level shift would fluctuate from year-to-year. Nor does a drop or increase in
the total school enrolment automatically result in changes to the availability of classroom space.
Is it possible to increase Victory PS’s capacity by building an addition?
The original 1919 three storey building, by virtue of its age, code constraints and site constraints does not lend
itself to construction of an addition. An addition would require extensive renovations to the whole building to
meet present building code requirements. The site size is a significant limitation to the expandability of the
building and the current site design does not comply with contemporary zoning provisions i.e. parking
requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
The available design drawings for the single storey 1953 did not indicate that any provision for the addition of a
second storey was made at the time of construction. The building would have to be reinforced right down to
the footings to support a second storey.
The most economical course of action to provide a second floor would be to demolish the existing single storey
structure and replace it with a two storey building. Assuming that the site plan approval from the City of Guelph
is possible, the cost per classroom space would be more than double the normal classroom costs.
Is it possible to increase Victory PS’s capacity through the use of portables?
Yes, but there are limitations and disadvantages.
The original 1919 Victory PS Public School building was built on a 2.2 ac. (0.9 ha) lot, less than half the size of
modern school properties of 5-6 ac. (2.02-2.43 ha). An addition was added in 1953. At times, the Victory PS site
has also housed up to five portable classrooms.
In recent years the school, with considerable help from parents, has put a lot of effort into landscaping and
greening of the grounds. Victory PS is a historic building in which the community takes considerable pride.
The return of portables to Victory PS does not appear in either scenario. Reasons include:
1. The installation of portables cannot fully resolve the enrolment pressures at Victory PS.
2. Although portables are sometimes a necessity, we must also consider negatives impacts, including the
loss of play and green space, increased student density during outdoor activities, and challenges to
supervision and safety caused by obstructed sightlines.
3. Guelph Hydro no longer allows secondary services to be added to a property – there can only be one
service per property. More than 3 portables will necessitate expensive upgrades to the school’s
electrical supply system.
4. Portables are typically used to as a solution to accommodate temporary fluctuations in a school
population, and not as part of a long-term accommodation plan.
In seeking to provide the best possible learning environment for students the Board seeks to align enrolment
with a school’s on-the-ground (OTG) capacity.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) says buildings must be made accessible.
Can Victory PS be expanded in conjunction with a retrofit for accessibility?
No. The province has not provided any funding for accessibility retrofits.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) does say that standards will be developed to
make Ontario’s facilities and buildings accessible to the disabled on or before January 1, 2025.
The AODA defines five areas for which standards will be set:
Customer Service
Transportation
Employment
Information and Communication
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
Built Environment
The government is proposing to handle accessibility for built environment in two ways:
1. Design of Public Spaces Standard, covering accessibility in new or redeveloped outdoor public spaces
(including school playgrounds).
2. Amendments to the Ontario Building Code that will cover accessibility in new or substantially renovated
buildings.
The draft of the Design for Public Spaces Standard went through a 45-day public consultation period which
ended on October 1, 2012. We do not know when the regulation will be finalized or come into effect.
The government has not released any details about the proposed changes to the Ontario Building Code, but has
affirmed that they will only apply to “new construction and renovations in buildings” and not existing structures,
such as Victory PS Public School.
Although the Board does not have the money to remove all of the physical barriers to accessibility which exist in
the district, the principles of accessibility are a high priority for the Board. New schools have many features that
promote accessibility. For instance, King George PS Public School has an elevator with a mid-floor stop at the
gymnasium’s stage, allowing disabled children, staff or visitors to participate in school assemblies, plays or
graduation ceremonies.
The accessibility needs of individual students are addressed through consultation with the school principal and
the Board’s Special Education department. The Special Education Department monitors the needs of individual
students with disabilities and works with Plant Operations to prioritize modifications, as required.
Did the committee consider the impact of moving young children to a new school?
Yes. The committee considers and discusses how students may feel in any given situation. Educators and school
communities have many resources at their disposal to minimize social impacts and facilitate transition. Both
Victory PS P.S. and King George PS P.S. have worked closely with their communities in the past to make for
smooth transitions of students and will continue to do so in the future. As we move closer to any change there
will be many opportunities to get involved by assisting in the creation of a plan ensuring a smooth transition.
Does King George PS have before and after school programs? Will there be space for my child?
At present the school has an after-school program for JK/SK and Grade 1-6 students from 3:05 to 6:00 p.m.
provided by the Guelph YW-YMCA, with no waiting list. There was insufficient demand in 2012 for a beforeschool program. Parents are surveyed annually to determine the need and viability of before and after school
programs. Details about the program currently in place at King George PS, including rates and contact
information, are provided on the board website.
What will happen in 2017 when King George PS is over capacity?
The capacity of King George PS Public School is 504 student places. Enrolment projections for 2017 are
approximately 565 students. Planning for the school’s construction included the space and servicing for future
portables to address short-term enrolment issues. Enrolment growth occurring in East Guelph which
contributes to the forecasted pressures at King George PS is being monitored.
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P a g e | 11
Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
Have you considered the higher traffic volumes resulting from development in downtown Guelph?
Traffic volumes that may affect student safety are monitored on an on-going basis by Wellington-Dufferin
Student Transportation Services.
Did you consider the impact of the boundary review on residential property values?
No. Our responsibility under the Education Act is to enhance student achievement and well-being. The impact of
Board decisions on the real estate market is not a consideration.
Would it be possible to change Scenario 1 so fewer FI grades were moved to King George PS from
Victory PS – only grade 6, or just 5 and 6?
One of the reasons for moving grades 4 to 6 as a group was that they all belong in the intermediate division.
In response to this suggestion, the committee will study the feasibility of moving only grade 6, or grades 5/6,
from the perspectives of both accommodation and programming.
For Scenario 1, do you have a plan for addressing the loss of mentoring provided by grade 4-6 FI
students to the JK-3 students?
We will be looking at this question, and believe that there are workable solutions.
In Reading Buddies, there may be the opportunities for grade 6 regular track students to use their Core French
skills when sitting down with SK FI students.
Grade 3 FI students may be presented with leadership opportunities involving younger classmates.
Creativity, optimism and adaptability can go a long way towards turning a “loss” into something that enriches all
of the students at Victory PS.
Will students entering grade 6 at Victory PS be grandparented?
In Scenario 1 all students in FI grades 4 through 6 will go to King George PS, without grandparenting.
In Scenario 2 grade 6 FI students living in the area redirected to King George PS will be grandparented at Victory
PS for the 2014/15 school year.
Will students entering grade 8 at John McCrae be grandparented?
Yes, FI students attending Grade 8 in the 2014-2015 school year will be grandparented at John McCrae. King
George PS will offer a JK-7 FI program that year, and expand to JK-8 FI in 2015-2016.
Will students get bussing to King George PS?
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)
Printed: Friday, November 23, 2012
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Frequently Asked Questions are based on feedback received through the King George PS JK-8 FI Boundary Review web page,
letters, emails, feedback forms and questions received at the Public Information Session on October 23, 2012.
over 3.2 km (Gr 7 to 8)
Map 5 in Report #2 shows the approximate walking limits from King George PS for the three grade levels. In
Scenario 1, some of the students would qualify bussing based on distance criteria. In Scenario 2, a majority of
the JK-6 FI students directed to King George PS would qualify for bussing based on distance criteria.
Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services will complete a detailed walking route investigation prior
to the 2014/15 school year. Transportation Services reviews the safety of designated walking routes.
Transportation eligibility policies and additional information may be found here: Transportation Services Policies
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