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GENERIC SCHOOL VALUATION FRAMEWORK
To be used and customized by the Accommodation Review Committee (ARC)
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in accordance with the Accommodation Review Procedures Manual 305-A.
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Priory Park PS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1 – VALUE TO THE STUDENT
Page
1.1
1.2
3
4
4
4
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
Physical Space to Support Student Learning
Range of Courses or Program Offerings
1.2.1 Elementary
1.2.2 Elementary
School Grounds for Healthy Physical Activity
and Extracurricular
Range of Extracurricular Activities
Student Outcomes
School Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities
Security
Location of School
Supports
Summary
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SECTION 2 – VALUE TO THE BOARD
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
Facilities
Condition of School
Location of School
Enrolment vs. Capacity
Operating Costs
Supports
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5
7
7
8
8
9
9
11
12
14
15
15
16
SECTION 3 – VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY
3.1
3.2
3.3
Community Use
School as a Community Partner
Contributions to the Community
17
18
19
SECTION 4 – VALUE TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY
4.1
4.2
Local Employers
Housing Market
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4.3
4.4
Partnerships
Contributions to the Economy
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1.01VALUE TO THE STUDENT
1.1 Physical Space to Support Student Learning
Does school have:
Library
YX N G
Gymnasium
YX N G
Change rooms
YX N G
Equipment room
YX N G
Staff work room
YX N G
Kindergarten Room
YX N G
French language room– WHEN SPACE Y G N G
ALLOWS
Art room
YG N X
Music room
YG N X
Special Education room
YX N G
Suitable washrooms
YX N G
Cafeteria
YG N X
Lockers/Cloak room area
YX N G
Book room
YG N X
Theatre arts facilities/stage - STAGE IN Y G N G
GYM
Computer lab - SECTION OF THE
YG N G
LIBRARY AS WELL AS 16 LAPTOPS ON
A CART
Family studies room
YG N X
Auditorium - STAGE IN GYM
YG N G
Kitchen - VERY SMALL
YG N G
Staff/Visitor/Student parking - NO
YG N G
STUDENT PARKING- VERY SMALL LOT
Drop-off and Pick-up areas
YG N X
Bus loading zone
YG N X
Staff room - VERY SMALL- DOES NOT Y X N G
FIT CURRENT STAFF
Property to accommodate development Y X N G
or additions - WE BACK ON TO OPEN
CITY SPACE
Science labs
YG N X
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Current Standards?
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG
YG
YG
YG
YG
YG
YG
YG
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
YG N G
YG
YG
YG
YG
N
N
N
N
G
G
G
G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
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Technology Facilities - NEW SMALL
YG N G
TECH RENO THIS YEAR
Business Studies facilities
YG N X
Trades facilities
YG N X
Storage - SMALL AMOUNT
YG N G
Additional comments about individual rooms:
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YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
1.2 Range of Courses or Program Offerings
1.2.1 ELEMENTARY
Does each class have adequate access to the gym for regular
physical activity?
Do students have access to:
A Primary Success Teacher?
A Child & Youth Councilor?
0.3 TIME
Computers?
What is the ratio of students to computers? 17 IN THE LIBRARY
16 ON THE CART
10 IN ROOMS
Does the school have:
Combined grades?
SOME
Straight grades?
SOME
Additional Comments:
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YX N G
YX N G
YX N G
YX N G
293:43
YX N G
YX N G
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1.2.2 ELEMENTARY
Do students have access to:
An ESL teacher?
AN ESL EDUCATION ASSISTANT 0.7 TIME
An Education Assistant? - WE HAVE A NUMBER OF EA’S FOR
OUR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
Guidance and career education programs?
Culturally inclusive programs?
Special education programs? (list them)
DEVELOPMENTALLY DELAYED (LIFE SKILLS)
MID
RESOURCE SUPPORT
Technology programs (i.e. trades)? -RECENTLY RENOVATED
TECH ROOM WITH 16 COMPUTERS ON A CART
Programs and supports for students at risk?
An instrumental music program?
A vocal music program?
A visual arts program? -2 OF OUR TEACHERS ARE ART
SPECIALISTS
Computer lab(s)? - 17 COMPUTERS IN THE LIBRARY AND 16
ON A CART
Additional Comments:
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YG N G
YX N G
YG N X
YG N G
YG N G
YX N G
YX
YG
YG
YG
N
N
N
N
G
X
X
G
YX N G
1.3 School Grounds for Healthy Physical Activity & Extracurricular:
Does the school have:
Hard surfaced outdoor play area(s)? -VERY SMALL
YX N G
A soccer field?
BELONGS TO THE CITY
YG N G
A football field?
YG N X
A baseball field?
BELONGS TO THE CITY
YG N G
A track?
YG N X
A basketball court? - 2 HOOPS AGAINST THE WALL
YG N G
A play structure?
OLD AND MUST BE REMOVED
YG N X
A green space? -LARGE CITY GREEN SPACE ATTACHED
YG N G
Has the school participated in a re-greening project?
YG N G
ONGOING EACH YEAR
Additional Comments:
YG N G
TENNIS COURTS OWNED BY THE CITY
WE SHARE THE SPACE WITH THE CITY THAT HAS A SOCCER
FIELD AND BASEBALL FIELD
WE HAVE A LARGE AREA TO USE BUT IT REALLY BELONGS TO
THE CITY
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1.4 Range of Extracurricular Activities:
Is this school a designated Best Start Hub?
Are child care services available before/after school?
Are child care services available during the school day?
Does the cafeteria have balanced menus?
NO CAFE
Are there any snack programs?
Any Environmental Programs (litter less lunches, etc…)?
If yes, please list them:
YG
YG
YG
YG
YX
YG
N X
N X
N X
N G
N G
N X
List boys intramural sports: VARIES EACH YEAR DEPENDING ON THE TEACHERS’
AVAILABILITY BUT GENERALLY:
Basketball
Volleyball
Soccer
3 Pitch
Football
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List girls intramural sports: VARIES EACH YEAR DEPENDING ON THE TEACHERS’
AVAILABILITY BUT GENERALLY:
Basketball
Volleyball
Soccer
3 Pitch
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List co-ed intramural sports:
Cross Country
Track and Field
List boys interschool sports: VARIES EACH YEAR DEPENDING ON THE TEACHERS’
AVAILABILITY BUT GENERALLY:
Basketball
Volleyball
Soccer
3 Pitch
Football
Ultimate Frisbee
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List girls interschool sports: VARIES EACH YEAR DEPENDING ON THE TEACHERS’
AVAILABILITY BUT GENERALLY:
Basketball
Volleyball
Soccer
3 Pitch
Football
Ultimate Frisbee
List co-ed interschool sports:
Cross Country
Track and Field
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List non-athletic school clubs:
VARIES EACH YEAR DEPENDING ON TEACHER AVAILABILITY
ART CLUB
COOKING CLUB
TALENT SHOW
CHESS CLUB
READING CLUBS
SCHOOL PLAY
Additional Comments:
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1.5 Student Outcomes
Rolling average for:
EQAO-Primary Reading
EQAO-Primary Writing
EQAO-Primary Mathematics
EQAO-Junior Reading
EQAO-Junior Writing
EQAO-Junior Mathematics
3 yrs
Previous
56
63
65
53
50
58
2 yrs
Previous
48
55
54
44
45
43
Previous
Yr.
45
55
54
40
44
36
Current
Yr.
Cohort
size
(average)
54
60
68
58
56
49
Additional Comments:
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1.6 School Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities
Is the school accessible for individuals with disabilities?
Partially
Does the school have:
Accessible washrooms?
2
Elevators?
No
Approved ramps?
Yes
Automated doors?
No
Accessible playgrounds?
No
Dedicated handicapped parking spaces?
One only
Appropriate signage?
No
Is the entrance barrier free?
Yes
Accessibility Audit attached?
N/A
Additional Comments:
The washrooms are for student use only, there is nothing for staff.
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1.7 Security
Does the school yard and building facilitate student supervision? Y X N G
(i.e. appropriate site lines, etc.)
Does the school have a security system e.g. controlled entrances, Y G N X
video surveillance?
Additional Comments:
SITE LINES ARE GOOD NOW BECAUSE THERE ARE NO PORTABLES. WHEN
PORTABLES HAVE BEEN HERE THEY HAVE BLOCKED SITE LINES
THERE IS AN ALARM SYSTEM FOR AFTER SCHOOL USE.
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32
32
40
40
40
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1.8 Location of School
What percentage of students are bused to school?
18.88%
What is the average distance to school for students?
2.39km
Are students being transported to school due to unsafe walking
11.89%
routes?
What is the average bus ride duration for students?
10 min
Is there safe access to the school for:
Pedestrians? DIFFICULT - SEE BELOW
Y N G
School buses? DIFFICULT - SEE BELOW
Y N G
Other vehicles?
YG N
Additional Comments:
Transportation Comments: All students other than those attending Priory for a special
program that are bused, are bused due to the hazard of crossing Edinburgh Road S,
and/or College Ave. W. This hazard crossing was deemed for grades JK to 6 only.
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School Comments: LARGE SCHOOL BUSSES USE THE ROAD OUT FRONT- THERE
IS ONLY ROOM FOR THREE AND LAST YEAR ONE OF THEM RECEIVED A TICKET
BECAUSE IT WAS JUST IN FRONT OF THE SIGN
SMALLER BUSSES USE THE PARKING LOT WHICH IS OVER CROWDED
THE USE OF THE SMALL PARKING LOT FOR BUSES, WALKERS ALONG THE EDGE
OF THE PARKING LOT AND PARENT DROP-OFFS IS AN ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE.
OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO WALK ALONG THE EDGE OF THE PARKING LOT TO
GET TO THE BACK OF THE SCHOOL- IT IS NOT DIVIDED
THE HANDICAPPED PARKING SPOT IS SOME DISTANCE FROM THE FRONT
DOOR, ALTHOUGH IT IS STILL AS CLOSE AS WE CAN GET IT
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1.9 Supports
Does school have:
Full time Principal
Vice Principal
Full time Administrative Assistant/Office Coordinator
Teacher Librarian
0.2 TIME
Library Clerk/Technician
Full time Special Education Teacher
Child and Youth Case Worker
0.3 TIME
Full time Custodial Staff
How many Educational Assistants does the school have?
YX N G
YG N X
YX N G
YX N G
YG N X
YX N G
YX N G
YX N G
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How many parent/family/community volunteers does the school
attract?
MANY MANY - SOMEWHERE BETWEEN
75 AND 100 DEPENDING ON THE YEAR
Additional Comments:
1.10 Summary
What are the things that students like about this school?
WE HAD ALL STUDENTS DO A SURVEY ABOUT PRIORY PARK. THESE ARE THE
COMMENTS THAT APPEARED OVER AND OVER
‘CLOSE TO HOME’
‘THE TEACHERS’
‘NO BULLIES’
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PARENTS SAY A SENSE OF IDENTITY- THE CHILDREN ARE CALLED BY NAME
What is unique about this school?
VERY MULTI CULTURAL
VERY INCLUSIVE
ACCEPTING OF DIVERSITY
STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE EXPOSED TO DIVERSITY AND
BECOME ACCEPTING
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ALL ON ONE LEVEL
How does this school reflect and support the values of the community it serves?
INCLUSIVE
MULTI CULTURAL
WE ARE THE SCHOOL THAT WELCOMES CHILDREN FROM THE WOMEN’S
SHELTER- OUR STUDENTS WELCOME THEM AND ACCEPT THEM
SAFE
RESPECTFUL
What would students change about this school?
THE CREATIVE PLAYGROUND - WE NEED ONE
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What is the value of the school to the student?
FROM STUDENT SURVEYS
‘SCHOOL FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURHOOD FRIENDS ARE THE SAME’
CLOSE TO HOME
THE TEACHERS
Additional Comments:
2.1 Facilities
Number of permanent classrooms
Number of portables/portapaks
Is there space to accommodate all students?
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Size of school site
Adequate playfields?
Is there nearby community space available?
Is the school adjacent to park?
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13
0
Y# N G
6.34 acres
Y# N G
Y# N G
Y# N G
YG N G
Are there joint use opportunities?
Additional Comments:
WALKING DISTANCE TO CENTENNIAL AND COLLEGE HEIGHTS FOR SWIMMING,
SKATING AND PERFORMANCES
PART OF ‘OUR YARD’ BUT BELONGING TO THE CITY ARE:
TENNIS COURTS
BASEBALL FIELDS
SOCCER FIELDS
Does school have:
Library
Gymnasium
Change rooms
Equipment room
Staff work room
Kindergarten Room
French language room - SOME YEARS
Art room
Music room
YX
YX
YX
YX
YX
YX
YG
YG
YG
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
X
X
Current Standards?
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
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Special Education room
YX N G
Suitable washrooms
YX N G
Cafeteria
YG N X
Lockers/Cloak room area
YG N X
Book room
YG N X
Theatre arts
YG N G
YG N G
facilities/stage
Family studies room
YG N X
Auditorium STAGE IN GYM
YG N X
Kitchen
VERY SMALL
YX N G
Staff/Visitor/Student parking - NO
YG N G
STUDENT PARKING- VERY SMALL
LOT
Drop-off and Pick-up areas
YG N X
Bus loading zone
YG N X
Staff room VERY SMALL
YX N G
YG N G
Property to accommodate
development or additions
WE DON’T OWN MUCH OF THE
LAND AROUND US- IT IS CITY
Science labs
YG N X
Technology Facilities SMALL TECH
YX N G
RENO THIS YEAR
Business Studies facilities
YG N X
Trades facilities
YG N X
Storage
A LITTLE
YG N G
Additional comments about individual rooms:
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YG
YG
YG
YG
YG
N
N
N
N
N
G
G
G
G
G
YG
YG
YG
YG
N
N
N
N
G
G
G
G
YG
YG
YG
YG
N
N
N
N
G
G
G
G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
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2.2 Condition of School
When was the school built?
What is the septic capacity?
Municipal water?
What is the current Facility Condition Index (FCI)?
What will the FCI be in 5 years?
What are the current renewal costs?
What will the renewal costs be in 5 years?
Describe the conditions of school grounds:
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ID Rooms with Deficiencies:
Room
Description of Deficiency
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1976
N/A
Y N G
23.18%
45.04%
$910,789
$1,769,855
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ID Rooms with Efficiencies:
Room
Description of Efficiency
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Additional comments/overall condition of building:
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2.3 Location of School
What percentage of students are bused to school?
What is the average distance to school for students?
What is the average bus ride duration for students?
Are students being transported to school due to unsafe walking
routes?
Is there safe access to the school for:
Pedestrians?
See below
School buses?
See below
Other vehicles?
See below
Additional Comments:
See previous section
18.88%
2.39km
10 min
YX N G
11.89%
YG N G
YG N G
YG N G
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2.4 Enrolment vs. Capacity
Does enrolment at the school exceed the surplus space in
adjacent schools?
What is the capacity of the school?
What is the current enrolment of the school?
(FTE)
What is the projected enrolment in 5 years? (2012)
What is the projected enrolment in 10 years? (2017)
What is the current utilization rate of the school?
What is the projected utilization rate in 5 years?
What is the projected utilization rate in 10 years?
Future development/potential? Explain:
According to current development information from the City of
Guelph, there is limited development potential in the boundary of
Priory Park PS. However, infill development as a result of Growth
Plan (Places to Grow) may introduce more development in the
area.
Y# N G
272
RT 270
RT 185
RT 195
99%
68%
72%
FI
FI
FI
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Additional Comments:
The current enrolment of Priory Park includes 20 Special Education students
(Developmentally Disablied & Self Contained)
2.5 Operating Costs
Permanent Gross Floor Area (GFA)
Portable GFA
Costs/square foot
Costs/student
Grounds keeping costs/acre
Additional Comments:
27351.1 ft2
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$5.48
$554.76
$2887.50
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2.6 Supports
Does school have:
Full time Principal
Vice Principal
Full time Administrative Assistant/Office Coordinator
Teacher Librarian
0.2 TIME
Library Clerk/Technician
Full time Special Education Teacher
Child and Youth Care Worker
0.3 TIME
Full time Custodial Staff
How many Educational Assistants does the school have?
How many parent/family/community volunteers does the school
attract?
MANY- 75 TO 100 MOST YEARS
YX N G
YG N X
YX N G
YG N G
YG N X
YX N G
YG N G
YX N G
8, 4 WITH DD
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Additional Comments:
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3.1 Community Use
Is the school building used regularly by community groups?
Y# N G
Are the school’s grounds informally used on a regular basis for
Y# N G
outdoor activities?
List the community groups which use the school/school grounds and the number of
hours used for the school year:
School
# Of Hours
Fees Paid
Con-ed
30
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School Grounds
Soccer
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$0.00
# Of Hours
Fees Paid
30
$0.00
Does the school site provide the only available parking for local
parks and community use?
Is the school the only school within the community?
OTHERS ARE FRENCH
What is the next closest school? L’ECOLE ST. RENE- FRENCH
CATHOLIC
How far away is it from the community?
YG N X
YG N G
What other facilities/playing fields/green space are used by or available to the
community?
TENNIS COURTS
PARKS
BASEBALL
SOCCER FIELD
TRIPLE HOOPS
PAVEMENT PAINTING OF GAMES
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Are they being used to full capacity? DON’T KNOW
YG N G
How far away are they? EASY WALKING DISTANCE
Additional Comments:
3.2 School as a Community Partner
What partnerships are there with other community stakeholders? i.e. Municipality,
Continuing Education………
Please list and describe:
CENTENNIAL AND COLLEGE HEIGHTS SCHOOLS- We have students from these
schools here on semester placements, on short term class placements, to work with
groups from here on projects such as drama presentations. We are an audience for
their drama/dance students, we purchase items from College Heights, we provided
garden space of a class from College Heights.
SIFTONS – SEE ATTACHED LETTER-Siftons gives us money for birthday books, and
library books, one of their employees has come to volunteer
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH- They send us students regularly as part of courses–
sometimes for up to 16 hours per week. Many students come here as volunteers to
get experience with elementary students. Many adult students live in the area because
it is close to the UofG and their children attend Priory Park.
STONE ROAD MALL - we go there each Hallowe’en for our parade. Our parents
shop there as it is close by.
CONTINUING EDUCATION- use our space after school hours
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Does the school have:
A Community Room?
YG N X
Training Facility?
YG N X
Daycare Centre?
YG N X
Before and After School Program?
YG N X
Adult Learning Programs?
YG N X
Programs and Supports for Students at Risk?
YX N G
List any significant upgrades to the school in the past five years completed in
partnership with the community:
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Additional Comments:
3.3 Contributions to the Community
If the school were to close, what would be the impact on:
Fund raising for local charities
WE RAISE FUNDS FOR THREE CHARITIES EACH YEAR.
LOCAL - THE FOOD BANK
NATIONAL - USUALLY TERRY FOX CANCER
INTERNATIONAL - VARIES- LAST YEAR WAS ‘BOOKS FOR RWANDA’
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Is the school a landmark for special events?
List and describe them:
YG N X
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Are there any memorials on site?
YX N G
List and describe them:
TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED IN MEMORY OF FOUR STUDENTS WHO HAVE
PASSED AWAY.
Does the facility have historic value in the broader community?
YX N G
List and describe them:
‘PRIORY’ - THE NAME COMES FROM THE FIRST BUILDING IN GUELPH WHICH
WAS CALLED ‘THE PRIORY’.
If the school were to remain open, how/what programs could the school attract?
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What would the community lose if the school were to close?
SIFTON PROPERTIES - SEE ATTACHED LETTER
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH- WE PROVIDE PLACEMENTS FOR THEIR STUDENTS
CENTENNIAL & COLLEGE HEIGHTS- WE PROVIDE PLACEMENTS FOR THEIR
STUDENTS
WE ARE A ‘SCHOOL ON THE MOVE’ (BOOKLET ATTACHED AT
END OF VALUATION)
WE HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED A SCHOOL FOR OTHERS TO LEARN FROM. STAFF
FROM OTHER SCHOOLS ARE DIRECTED TO COME HERE TO SEE WHAT WE ARE
DOING. OBVIOUSLY IF WE WERE TO CLOSE OR BECOME FRENCH WE WOULD
NOT BE ABLE TO FULFILL THIS OBLIGATION TO UPPER GRAND DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD OR TO THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION.
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Has the community identified a preexisting need for the
YX N G
community facilities or land?
If Yes, please explain:
MUCH OF ‘OUR PLAYGROUND’ BELONGS TO THE CITY AND IS USED BY
COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS SOCCER AND BY THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ON
AN INFORMAL BASES
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Would the closure of the school potentially result in the division
of students between 2 or more schools?
Would closure of this school result in the transferring of rural
students to an urban school or vise versa?
Additional Comments:
YX N G
YG N X
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4.1 Local Employers
List of businesses/services which are clients of school (e.g.: landscapers, snow
removal, pizza, subs, milk, transportation, newspapers, childcare………:
SUNSHINE- GRASS AND SNOW
MILK - DAILY MILK PROGRAM - DELIVERED BY LOCAL COMPANY- DAIRY DEPOT
PIZZA- DELIVERED BY LOCAL COMPANY
SNACK PROGRAM- PURCHASED FROM LOCAL COMPANY
SIFTONS - SEE ATTACHED LETTER
WASTCO - PRIVATE HAULER FOR GARBAGE AND RECYCLING
NEWSPAPERS- DELIVERED EACH DAY
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4.2 Housing Market
Is the school an asset to the local housing market?
YX N G
Is the school a magnet/attraction/drive for families who are reYX N G
locating (program, size, culture of community)?
Additional Comments:
SEE ATTACHED LETTER FROM SIFTON PROPERTIES
MANY CONDOS AND APARTMENTS IN THE AREA
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SUBSIDIZED APARTMENTS IN THE AREA
Geared to Income Units - 70
Rent Supplement Units - 27
Housing Allowance Units - 4
Priory Park is a stable community school for the children who reside in the housing
units that surround Priory Park.
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4.3 Partnerships
Does the business community invest/promote human capital, i.e. Y X N G
awards, scholarships, co-op/mentoring, career awareness,
material donations
Explain:
SIFTONS- PAY FOR BIRTHDAY BOOKS AND LIBRARY BOOKS
GUELPH GROTTO- PROVIDES PRIZES, DONATIONS, DOES FUNDRAISING FOR US,
CAME AND GAVE US A PROGRAM
PANASONIC CANADA- DONATES EQUIPMENT EACH YEAR , eg camera
ZEHRS - TAPE REBATE WAS $500 LAST YEAR
What is the economic value of volunteerism by the community/businesses as a spin-off to
the economy?
WE HAVE SO MANY VOLUNTEERS THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO PUT A MONEY VALUE ON
THEM. SOME COME FOR HALF A DAY ONCE IN A WHILE AND OTHERS ARE
HERE FOR 16 OR MORE HOURS PER WEEK. WE ESTIMATE THAT WE HAVE
BETWEEN 75 TO 100 VOLUNTEERS EACH YEAR.
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SO VERY CONSERVATIVELY:
75 TIMES 4 HOURS A WEEK AT $15 AN HOUR WOULD BE $4, 500 A YEAR IN TIME
DONATED TO US. THIS IS A LOW ESTIMATE.
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What is the value of the school to local employers?
List and explain:
STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES LIVE IN THE LOCAL AREA AND WALK TO LOCAL
BUSINESS SUCH AS THE STONE ROAD MALL AND ULTRA FOOD MART PLAZZA,
ETC, ETC.
Additional Comments:
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4.4 Contributions to the Economy
Is the school a landmark for special events?
List and describe them:
YG N G
Does the facility have historic value in the broader community?
List and describe them:
Additional Comments:
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YG N G
Phase 3
CONTACT INFORMATION
Schools on the Move
Principal: Leanne Johns
Phone: 519-836-7710
Email: leanne.johns@ugdsb.on.ca
Website: www.ugdsb.on.ca/priorypark/
Mailing Address:
Priory Park Public School
275 Scottsdale Drive
Guelph, ON
N1G 3A1
Priory Park Public School
Upper Grand District School Board
Guelph, Ontario
to support learning and instruction. All staff members
have agreed on student expectations and use praise freely
to reinforce good practice. A Primary Success teacher
models perseverance, working tenaciously with students
and supporting colleagues.
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About the school ...
Priory Park Public School, located in a densely populated
neighbourhood in the city of Guelph, has an enrolment of
approximately 250 students. A dedicated, caring and hardworking staff contributes to a positive learning environment
where students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular
activities addressing a variety of interests and leadership
opportunities. Special education programs include a class
of developmentally delayed students and a class of mildly
intellectually disabled students, with the special education
resource teachers assisting other exceptional pupils in regular
classrooms. Priory Park uses an inclusive model to support
a fluctuating population of English language learners.
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Approach and philosophy …
The school community promotes a culture of caring,
sharing, learning and growing – values cited in the school’s
motto. Staff members are dedicated to meeting the needs
of students who are highly diverse culturally, economically,
linguistically and in terms of ability. Staff meetings include
time for discussion of student needs and for sharing
challenges and solutions. The school believes that children
learn when they are happy and that emotional support
contributes to academic success.
Student-focused instruction. Staff members strive for “no
interruptions” to learning time and the result is a calm
learning environment. The principal does daily walk-abouts
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The school embraces a variety of partnerships. With a university
and two secondary schools nearby, the school has been able
to recruit skilled volunteers. Students taking senior courses
in family studies work in classrooms during literacy and
numeracy blocks. With teachers providing resources and
guidance, the result is high-quality support for young students.
Two retired high school teachers volunteer in the primary and
junior grades, sharing books with students and engaging in
lively discussions on topics of interest. The strong reciprocal
relationship between volunteers and the school has created
loyalty, focused support and mutual enjoyment.
High-yield strategies …
Common language. Consistency in and across classrooms is
a shared goal. Walking the walls, anchor charts and word
walls are bright and colourful to capture student attention.
Common language is used to describe concepts and strategies
in literacy and numeracy. Through EQAO analysis and
working with classroom data, teachers target weak areas
and focus on strategies to improve student learning.
Literacy block. During the literacy block, teachers practise a
shared/guided/independent approach. They give sufficient
time for modelling and sharing, and move to independent
practice only when students are confident in their skills.
By building competence through the gradual release of
responsibility, their expectations for independent student
work and routines have become attainable.
Home reading. Because teachers are strongly committed to
the home reading program, part of their equity funding is
used to stock the book cart from which students select
“just right books for reading independently.” Book bags
include suggestions to parents for how to support their
child’s quality reading at home.
Schools on the Move: Lighthouse Program • Les écoles en action : programme phare
Writing. With board direction and training, the school
has adopted a traits approach to foster deeper thinking
in student writing. Routinely, students think about word
choice and organization, developing a common vocabulary
that is key to the writing process.
Success after struggle …
Priory Park has experienced steady improvement in all
six areas of the provincial assessment over the past three
years. Whereas in 2004–05, less than 50 per cent of Level 3
students reached the provincial standard in all areas, in the
2006–07 assessment, performance in Grade 3 mathematics
was well above the provincial standard; in Grade 3 writing
and Grade 6 reading and writing, performance was close
to the provincial standard; and in Grade 3 reading and
Grade 6 mathematics performance bordered on 60 per cent.
Inquiry approach. Helping students go beyond surface
meaning was a challenge for the school. Initially, teachers
created a question-prompt taxonomy to help stimulate
student discussion. Seeking more ideas to deepen inquiry,
teachers credit a neighbouring school for sharing the idea
of interactive bulletin boards. Each bulletin board posts
inquiry questions to guide thinking. Students, community
members and visitors now pause in front of bulletin boards
to consider “thinking” questions.
What we would like to learn with and
from others …
Focusing on student learning. In the past, professional learning
communities lacked a clear focus. Now, the key is a relentless
focus on student learning. Teachers share the view that
they are “only as strong as their weakest instructional link.”
With long-term occasional and new teachers on staff,
teachers take a problem-solving approach to keep on top
of student and teacher needs. Primary staff members meet
in each other’s classrooms and in front of their data wall to
have discussions about data focused on student learning.
lessons on “Literacy Must Do’s”
instruction in making inferences and practice activities
for students
use of common graphic organizers between grades
how to acquire different types of text for use in teaching
practices
Networking for learning …
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Growing and changing. Four years ago two schools were
amalgamated into Priory Park. To address potential
integration challenges, the board and schools put in place
various measures to prepare for transition; inter-school
visitations with student team-building and cross-grade pen
pals paved the way for the change. Currently the school is
adding an intermediate division. The single Grade 7 class
is supported by teacher colleagues – drawing on their
subject strengths to ensure a high-quality program.
Currently Priory Park has established multiple partnerships.
The local secondary schools, college and university provide
volunteers with a strong skill set to mentor students and
act as role models. Local businesses provide support for
home-school connections.
Aligning school activities to district initiatives provides
focus and builds capacity. Staff members use the district’s
template and data review cycle to structure their work.
School leaders, including the principal and teacher leads,
attend sessions that support the process of school
improvement for student achievement.
Moving into the future …
● ongoing discussion about instructional strategies with curriculum
leaders, key teachers and colleagues in PLCs at staff meetings and
on capacity days
● development of a clear understanding of our board’s “Literacy Must
Do’s” and integrating them into teaching practice across the curriculum
● engagement of students in intellectually demanding tasks that require
higher-order and critical thinking
● use of a variety of media in classrooms as part of an effective instructional
practice
Schools on the Move: Lighthouse Program • Les écoles en action : programme phare
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