PARKING LOT QUESTIONS and RESPONSES
from January 20, 2016 Public Open House
#
1
2
3
Question
Theme
Does bussing cost have anything to do with why St. Dunstan is listed on
Budget
all three options?
With local public schools close by, closure of schools will have parents
Budget
considering public school board. Is there no concern for this catholic
education lacking funds already?
Why are bussing costs included in this review if its about cost saving? Its
Budget
all the same pocket, even if not the same budget.
School
St. Dunstan
General
General
Response
No, bussing costs have nothing do to with why St
Dunstan is listed in the staff options.
Losing students from Dufferin-Peel is always a
concern, however, past reviews indicate that the
loss of students is minimal.
Transporation costs are a requirement of the SIP
by the Ministry
4
What will it cost to make the FDK rooms that will be needed? How many
Budget
at each site?
General
The number of additional FDK rooms will be
determined subject to the approved
recommendation by the Board of Trustees. Costs
to retrofit FDK classrooms vary on an individual
basis, depending on the extent of work required.
5
The 5 year projected expenses are not accurate for St. Gregory. Some
high cost items have been completed.
Budget
St. Gregory
Costs have been corrected and are identified in
the February 3 ARC WGM#3 meeting minutes.
6
Bussing costs seem severely understated. Please explain them to us
Budget
General
1
Will your decision be one of the three proposals?
Decisions
General
2
Do three schools have to close? 1? 2? None?
Decisions
General
3
4
7
15
17
19
24
Why are decision makers not available or present tonight?
Why was there no options presented for St. Dunstan Kids to relocate as
a whole school instead of splitting kids. Where is their wellbeing
addressed?
Our kids are not geography maps, explain why St. Dunstan is being split
on all proposals?
If the focus is keeping schools together, why is St. Dunstan split in all 3
lists?
Why is St. Dunstan in all three options
Why is St. Dunstan included in all 3 Proposals? (We do not have the
lowest enrolment to capacity ratio, we are a newer building with the
land to expand and we are very high in EQAO rankings)
If projected enrolment at St.Dunstan remains the same as per PAR
review how come in all 3 proposals St.Dunstan is closing?
Decisions
General
Decisions
St. Dunstan
Decisions
St. Dunstan
Decisions
St. Dunstan
Decisions
St. Dunstan
Decisions
St. Dunstan
Decisions
St.Dunstan
5
Why was St. Joseph not considered in this review?
Decisions
St. Joseph
6
What would you do with the building of St. Gertrude?
Decisions
St. Gertrude
22
What will be done with the closed schools? Others that have closed
seem to have been kept and maintained by the board.
Decisions
General
8
We really want to know how you determine the choice of these schools
Decisions
what is the standard and methods. Do you consider to have children
rights for study?
General
Transportation will be addressed through the
meeting minutes of ARC WGM #3
Recommended options to be presented to
Trustees in the Final Report have NOT been
determined. The final decision will be made by
the Board of Trustees.
The objective is to reduce the pupil places in the
area by 1400-1600.
Trustees' roles are to initiate the process, make
the final decision and to remain neutral until the
consultation period has concluded. The purpose
of the consultation process is to gather feedback
for the trustees who will hold a public delegation
night to hear directly from members of the public.
Where possible, the Board has attempted to keep
school communities together, however, one of
the rationale is to maximize and balance the
enrolment at each of the schools in the review
area and minimize the need for portables or an
addition at the receiving school.
The Board of Trustees approved the 8 schools as
part of the East Credit Pupil Accommodation
Review Area. Including St Joseph or any other
school outside of this review area would only
increase the number of surplus pupil places.
The re-purposing or sale of the building is not
within the scope of the Pupil Accommodation
Review. Disposition of school property is a
separate process goverened by the Education Act.
The Board provided rationale in determining the
options, which are provided on page 3 of the
following link:
http://www.dpcdsb.org/NR/rdonlyres/4D641B703578-40C3-AE1F4A4B53005011/164064/PresentationBoards.pdf
1
PARKING LOT QUESTIONS and RESPONSES
from January 20, 2016 Public Open House
#
Question
Theme
9
According to provincial PAR there are 3 criteria to consider: 1.Student
wellbeing, 2. Academics 3.Budget. With St. Dunstan on all 3 proposals,
Decisions
how were the students at St. Dunstan's well being taken into account? loss of school - loss of teacher community - loss of friends
School
St. Dunstan
Response
The Guiding Principles are taken into
consideration by proposing options that make the
most efficient use of board facilities in order to
direct already limited funds to all students within
the Board. Consolidating schools and students
means consolidating resources and funds to
better serve the students in Dufferin-Peel.
All parents strive for excellence - I used Frasier ratings when I moved
10 into the neighbourhood - why not encourage Catholic presence in
neighbourhood
Decisions
St. Dunstan
The Board actively pursues registrations in all of
our communities. Please refer to the minutes
from ARC WGM#2 at which the Board's General
Manager of Communications and Community
Relations provided information on the Board's
Marketing Strategy
11
What is the contingency plan if schools are closed and registration
significantly increases in a short period of time? 3-5 years from now?
Decisions
General
In some schools, there will still be some available
capacity to accommodate additional students. In
some situations, portables may be required.
12
Why does the report not contain detailed decision making on the 3
options. Other than general reasons transparent details are lacking.
Decisions
General
The Board clarified the rationale at the ARC
Working Group meetings and Public Open House.
It seems logical to close small school and move students to bigger one
13 less impact on existing students. Why is this logical approach not
implemented?
Decisions
General
14
St. Gertrude is a larger environment means the community is in need of
Decisions
a school nearby. Why are you moving it?
St. Gertrude
16
What will be done with the closed schools? Is demand for land part of
the equation?
Decisions
General
Decisions
General
Apparently past and present school ratings were not considered or
18 given due weightage while arriving at preferred option. Please revise
options.
The Board is focussed on the reduction of pupil
places in the entire review area to address the
needs of all schools. One of the rationale is to
maximize and balance the enrolment at each of
the schools
No decisions have been made. The Board is
focussed on the reduction of pupil places in the
entire review area to address the needs of all
schools.
The re-purposing or sale of the building is not
within the scope of the Pupil Accommodation
Review. Disposition of school property is a
separate process goverened by the Education Act.
The demand for land is not a factor in developing
the staff options.
EQAO is not one of the rationale used to
determine staff options.
The Board is currently exploring the addition of an
IB Centre to serve the northern jurisdiction of the
Board.
No, it was not discovered that students
performed better and were happier in smaller
community schools.
St Gertrude was recommended as part of the 8
schools to form the East Credit Pupil
Accommodation Review Area which was
approved by the Board of Trustees.
20
Has expanding other board programs like elementary IB to the East
Credit area been put on the table to increase utilization?
Decisions
East Credit
21
When you completed your research, did you discover students
performed better and were happier in smaller community schools?
Decisions
General
23
Why is St. Gertrude being considered? Does not form part East credit?
Rated Very High.
Decisions
St. Gertrude
Decisions
St.Gertrude
Thank you for your comments
Decisions
General
Thank you for your comments
Why did we know this so late in terms of the due date to decide to close
Decisions
the school? If parents and students disagree would you re-consider?
General
No decisions have been made. The Board of
Trustees will determine the final outcome of the
East Credit Pupil Accommodation Review
St. Gertrude
Thank you for your comments
Closing a school like St.Gertrude with good ratings and a lottery for
25 French Immersion, does not make sense. Please reconsider Option 1.
Thanks
2017 is too short preparation closing schools. Give us at least 5 years
26
transition
27
It doesn’t make sense to close a school like St. Gertrude that is opening
28 at high capacity. It has great academics and a very good French
Decisions
Immersion program.
2
PARKING LOT QUESTIONS and RESPONSES
from January 20, 2016 Public Open House
#
1
Question
If enrolment is an issue open Catholic Elementary to non-Catholics and
sign
waiver from them. (non-Catholics want to join)
Theme
School
Enrolment
General
2
If numbers are an issue why not let other Christians into our schools?
(York and Halton Region allow it)
Enrolment
General
9
The Catholic school boards across the GTA will continue to decline
unless non-Catholics are accepted into our elementary panel
Enrolment
General
Enrolment
General
Enrolment
General
Consider including non-Catholic and French Immersion gifted kids to
increase enrolment
Allow students of non-Catholic faith to join provided they give tax
26 support and complete all courses. Be inclusive of those with interest in
the faith and they and their families may follow.
23
Response
Open Access at the elementary level is contrary to
board policy.
3
Why were schools that are underutilized under 50% automatically not
closed instead of schools greater than 65%?
Enrolment
General
The Board is focussed on the reduction of pupil
places in the entire review area to address the
needs of all schools.
4
Does the reduction of pupils have to be 1400 and up to make the
numbers work?
Enrolment
General
The objective is to reduce the pupil places in the
area by 1400-1600 which would increase overall
utilization and reduce necessary funding
5
Operationally it does not make sense to close big capacity schools like
St. Gertrude (80%+ Enrolment) Close smaller schools to pay less rent,
staffing, clean up, maintennce, etc. Think about it in terms of ROI
(Return On Investment)
Enrolment
St. Gertrude
Thank you for your comments
6
St. Gertrude is at over 80% capacity right now. In 2016 it will increase as
there are 2 more French Immersion classes camp in combined with its
Enrolment
high EQAO results and rating, although is its closure still a preferred
option. Why does a school that is almost full and successful?
St. Gertrude
The Board is focussed on the reduction of pupil
places in the entire review area to address the
needs of all schools. One of the rationale is to
maximize and balance the enrolment at each of
the schools
7
Why are you not using the French Immersion numbers in your
St.Gertrude totals but you use them to up the utilization percent. Leave Enrolment
the numbers alone and Gertrude is 86% utilization
St. Gertrude
French Immersion students are included in the
overall utilization of the school. Please refer to
the Initial Staff Report from November 24, 2015
8
Capacity- Option #1 puts St. Valentine 100 students over capacity and
St. Gregory 50 over. We don’t want portables.
St. Valentine
Thank you for your comments
St. Dunstan
One of the rationale is to maximize and balance
the enrolment at each of the schools in the
review area, and minimize the need for portables
or an addition at the receiving school.
St. Gertrude
This has been corrected. French Immersion
students are included in the overall utilization of
the school. Please refer to the Initial Staff Report
from November 24, 2015.
St. Gertrude
Thank you for your comments
St. Dunstan in all 3 option divides the students into 2 schools. Why is
10
there no option to keep all students together?
11
Enrolment
Enrolment
The percent utilization for 2016/2017 in French Immersion St. Gertrude
Enrolment
is missing why?
You say St. Gertrude has 44% utilization in the regular stream, we are
12 happy to take in more students in our regular stream! We have good
Fraser Institute rating!
What is considered max capacity to you? Per option 1, if St. Gertrude
13 closed, combined with St. Valentine it would be average 115% utilized!
When is it too much for the board?
Enrolment
Enrolment
We agree that current utilization should be increased, however, all
proposed options have 2 out of 5 schools projected to operate above in
excess of capacity. We don’t want overcrowding in our schools, we
14
Enrolment
don’t want portables especially when there are current facilities
available. Please come up with a more reasonable utilization rate for all
schools that doesn't go beyond capacity.
15
Why is St. Gertrude the option to close where there is 600 students?
This school is rated as the best school.
Enrolment
St. Gertrude
The maximum capacity will vary from school to
school. The capacity of a building will be
determined by the number of classrooms and the
distribution of students in each classroom. The
number of portables on a site will be dependent
on any site limitations and washroom capacity of
the school building. General
Thank you for your comments
St. Gertrude
The Board is focussed on the reduction of pupil
places in the entire review area to address the
needs of all schools.
3
PARKING LOT QUESTIONS and RESPONSES
from January 20, 2016 Public Open House
#
Question
Theme
School
16
How can you guarantee that schools that do not close have decent
teacher:student ratio?
Enrolment
General
St. Gertrude projected enrolment has been high and seems steady over
17 next few years. Does this include FI students? What happens to them? Enrolment
Do lottery number spots go down making it more difficult to get in?
St. Gertrude
How do you know that all 300 FI students currently at St. Gertrude will
move to St. Gregory? Parents choose St. Gertrude for a reason. Parents
18
Enrolment
will not want to do it, therefore the percent utilization wont be as
estimated.
St. Gertrude
St. Gertrude under utilized? Why not increase French enrolment to
19 avoid lottery system and parent disappointment and let those people go Enrolment
to St. Gertrude that would make it full capacity!
St. Gertrude
21 What is the minimum occupancy for a school?
Enrolment
General
St. Gertrude has a high % of enrolment and future projected numbers
20
are high so why are they on the preferred option for closing?
Enrolment
St. Gertrude
Why are you closing a school (St. Gertrude) that is currently excelling in
enrolment with everything working well (FI) and moving it to a school
Enrolment
(St. Gregory)that currently has no capacity to be functional given its low
status quo enrolment.
St. Gertrude
22
Why is the percent utilization for French Immersion just included after
24 2017, when the program is already running and brings St. Gertrude's
Enrolment
percentage up?
You said the French Immersion enrolment spots wouldn’t it be lower by
closing St. Gertrude because all of the spots are to be moved to North of
Britannia. I may consider moving my tax dollars and support to Peel
25
Enrolment
District then to increase chances of enrolment of my three kids into
French Immersion closer to where I live because I am east and south of
St.Gertrude.
Response
Classroom size is governed by both legislation and
the collective agreement. Primary classes (Grades
1,2,3) are capped at 20 students and
junior/intermediate are an aggregate of 24
students per class.
French Immersion students are identified as a
separate line item but are considered when
reviewing the overall enrolment at St Gertude as
is the case with all optional programs in schools.
Option 1 proposes that the French Immersion
program and students be relocated to St.
Gregory. The number of spaces will be
maintained as will the lottery system for Grade 1
students entering the program as per Board
Policy.
The Board is unable to confirm, at this time, the
number of French Immersion students that will
elect to relocate to an alternate location. French
Immersion students and their families have
invested the time into this program and will be
encouraged to continue to pursue their education
through French Immersion.
St Gertrude has the capacity to accommodate 2
classes of French Immersion in grades 1-8
without the need for portables. This
configuration was approved by the Board of
Trustees when the program was established at St
Gertrude.
There is no minimum occupancy for a school.
One of the rationale is to maximize and balance
the enrolment at each of the schools in the
review area, and minimize the need for portables
or an addition at the receiving school. The
proposal to relocate the FI program to St Gregory
is part of this solution.
St.Gertrude
This has been corrected. French Immersion
students are included in the overall utilization of
the school
St.Gertrude
Thank you for your comments
1
St. Dunstan has a high EQAO rating. If it closes and my kids move to St.
Bernadette, how do we as parents know our kids are getting the same
quality education?
2
How can government be focused on good to excellent yet EQAO scores
EQAO
are not considered?
General
3
EQAO is not important to you? Do you want to keep open the school
with low ranking?
EQAO
General
A school may choose to identify EQAO scores as a
school strength, however EQAO was not part of
staff rationale to determine the options.
4
Explain EQAO and why this is now not something a school can speak to
as part of their reasons to stay open and have other school
amalgamate.
EQAO
General
See above. All students in Dufferin-Peel can
access the flex boundary procedure.
EQAO
St. Dunstan
Students in all Dufferin-Peel schools are provided
with the appropriate supports to ensure their
ultimate success.
It is not the Ministry or Board's practice to
compare and rank schools based on EQAO scores.
Students in all Dufferin-Peel schools are provided
with the appropriate supports to ensure their
ultimate success.
4
PARKING LOT QUESTIONS and RESPONSES
from January 20, 2016 Public Open House
#
Question
5
EQAO scores have been consistently high at St. Dunstan and
consistently low at others - yet St. Dunstan is on all proposals.
How/when is this going to be addressed? Can St. Dunstan kids choose
another school?
6
With such high EQAO and rising enrolment at St. Dunstan how can a
closure be justified? Who will guarantee this EQAO at any other school? EQAO
St Dunstan must remain open!
St. Dunstan
1
What options for siblings? French Immersion and English program. (Do
not want to separate)
Family
General
2
Forcing families to make a choice about moving, not everyone can drive
their kids to school or walk for long periods of time. Keep schools in our Family
community.
General
Thank you for your comments
3
Catholic presence - Closing St. Gertrude changes the demographic of my
Family
neighbourhood as far as Catholic representation
General
Thank you for your comments
4
Support Families - There are already enough challenges in our everyday
Family
lives. Do not make things worse by splitting siblings and increasing
travel time and distance
General
Thank you for your comments
5
The hours at St. Dunstan work for my family. Changing schools changes
the hours. Many families will be inconvenienced. How will this be
Family
addressed? Why are the hours of a school not considered (e.g.. put kids
who moves at a school with the same start time)
St. Dunstan
School hours are determined by STOPR and are
subject to annual review.
6
Have you surveyed parents about whether they prefer smaller
community schools?
Family
General
No.
7
If you close St. Gertrude you will be splitting up my children (one in
French Immersion and
one in English). This is disrupting to the family and my children.
Family
St. Gertrude
Board policy does not guarantee registration for
siblings of students enrolled in a program of
choice. All students in Dufferin-Peel can access
the flex boundary procedure. The Board is
committed to ensuring a dedicated transition plan
to support to the new school.
1
Is there flexibility to choose school location if home school closes?
Flex Boundaries
General
Flex Boundaries
General
2
3
1
2
Will the students affected by the closures be allowed flex boundaries to
schools not in the given options?
What about students with flexible boundaries?
Cut French Immersion and spend on registered students
St. Gertrude has the most students and with French Immersion
capability. Why is it not part of any options proposed to keep, instead of
starting a new French Immersion at St. Gertrude?
Theme
EQAO
School
Response
St. Dunstan
A school may choose to identify EQAO scores as a
school strength, when providing alternate
options, however EQAO was not part of the staff
rationale. Students in all Dufferin-Peel schools are
provided with the appropriate supports to ensure
their ultimate success.
Flex Boundaries General
French Immersion General
French Immersion St. Gertrude
3
What happens to the French Immersion students?
French Immersion General
4
The French Immersion students at St. Gertrude are part of that
community- have been there 6 years- why are you tearing it apart?
French Immersion St. Gertrude
5
7
6
Why is French Immersion considered a transferable program? It’s an
integral part of St. Gertrude and the reason why people move into the French Immersion St. Gertrude
area. It’s a developed program and should stay in the area.
Why would you move St. Gertrude's French Immersion students who
French Immersion St. Gertrude
make up half the population of the school and continue to keep a low
attendance school alive? i.e. St. Gregory
Can we look into consolidating French Immersion Programs, Specifically,
St. Pio Grade 1-4 and St. Jude, into St. Gertrude? This would utilize St.
French Immersion St. Gertrude
Gertrude's current utilization and I think would be beneficial to St. Pio
and St. Jude kids.
The East Credit PAR was initiated due to
significant under capacity of student enrolment.
The Ministry has provided the PAR Guidelines that
oversees that process.
Board policy does not guarantee registration for
siblings of students enrolled in a program of
choice. All students in Dufferin-Peel can access
the flex boundary procedure. The Board is
committed to ensuring a dedicated transition plan
to support to the new school.
All students in Dufferin-Peel can access the flex
boundary procedure. However, the Board is
committed to ensuring a dedicated transition plan
to support to the new school.
Thank you for your comments
Please refer to Options 2 and 3 as identified in the
Initial Staff Report
In staff Option 1 all French Immersion students
are relocated to St. Gregory.
French Immersion is a program of choice. Board
programs can be relocated subject to the
accommodation requirements in the host school.
St Gertrude has the capacity to accommodate 2
classes of French Immersion from grades 1 - 8
5
PARKING LOT QUESTIONS and RESPONSES
from January 20, 2016 Public Open House
#
Question
8
French Immersion is under a lottery process why close St. Gertrude?
Why not make it fully French? Having to drive my children - if they even French Immersion St. Gertrude
get in- all the way North of Britannia on busy Mavis is ridiculous
9
French Immersion students are humans too! Why don’t you count them
French Immersion General
in capacity? What if they are your sons/daughters? Can you sit there
doing nothing? Save St. Gertrude!
Why is the FI program at St. Gertrude not being considered as part of
10
the population? The FI program is part of the St. Gertrude community.
Due to parents long term commitment to FI along with transportation
11 responsibility, schools with FI stay as status quo. FI is a popular program
that will bring up enrolment.
St. Gertrude has high % of enrolment, has FI already setup parents of FI
12 have already made arrangements for kids as some don’t have bussing.
Moving FI from St. Gertrude is disruptive
Parents made long term commitment choosing FI program including
providing own transportation which already saves cost to the board. FI
13
program also attracts high enrolment. Schools with FI program should
remain, keep status quo.
14 More FI at other schools
New Option - Bring FI to St. Valentine to get back the population of
15
students in FI at St. Bernadette
Theme
School
Response
without the need for portables. This
configuration was approved by the Board of
Trustees when the program was established at St
Gertrude.
French Immersion students are included in the
overall utilization of the school.
French Immersion St. Gertrude
French Immersion General
Thank you for your comments
French Immersion St. Gertrude
Thank you for your comments
French Immersion General
Thank you for your comments
French Immersion General
Thank you for your comments
French Immersion St. Valentine
Thank you for your comments
St. Gertrude is the only school that offers French Immersion every
enrolment year, approx. 150 students are on the waiting list. The French
French Immersion St. Gertrude
16
Immersion program at St. Gertrude will increase utilization if the board
will accommodate more or open French Immersion classes.
Thank you for your comments
17
What happens if the 300+ French Immersion students at St. Gertrude do
French Immersion St. Gertrude
not move to St. Gregory. (utilization will decrease)
18
St. Gertrude has an Extended French program and if it closes down will
St. Valentine have an Extended French program?
19 If St. Gertrude closes down will St. Valentine have French Immersion?
French Immersion St. Valentine
French Immersion St. Valentine
There is currently unmet demand for French Immersion (which is only
expected to continue to increase). Under option 1, with French
French Immersion St.Gregory
20
Immersion in St.Gregory, andy expansion will not be possible due to
forecasted over utilization. How will French Immersion demand be met
We have two children attending FI at St. Gertrude. As working parents,
we chose FI as long-term commitment and providng tax education
21
French Immersion St. Gertrude
designation to Catholic school. Own or private transportation to FI is
already a burden to parents (and relief to Board). Closing St. Gertrude
The Board is unable to confirm, at this time, the
number of French Immersion students that will
elect to relocate to an alternate location. French
Immersion students and their families have
invested the time into this program and will be
encouraged to continue to pursue their education
through French Immersion.
St Gertrude has a French Immersion program.
Option 1 proposes that the FI program be
relocated to St Gregory and the regular track
English program move to St Valentine.
The waiting lists at the existing French Immersion
centres do not warrant the opening of additional
classes at their sites.
Thank you for your comments
1
Please speak to your "Straight down the middle" topical criteria for
determining which schools to close?
General
General
2
Don’t close St. Gertrude because it is the best school and it has really
great teachers. No other school could replace it! I love this school
(French Immersion Grade 3 Student)
The Board clarified the rationale at the ARC
Working Group meetings and Public Open House.
The Board is focussed on the reduction of pupil
places in the entire review area to address the
needs of all schools. One of the rationale is to
maximize and balance the enrolment at each of
the schools
General
St. Gertrude
Thank you for your comments
3
Do you care about the education level in the Catholic school?
General
General
Quality of education in Dufferin-Peel is the main
priority at the Board.
6
PARKING LOT QUESTIONS and RESPONSES
from January 20, 2016 Public Open House
#
Question
Theme
Response
General
The Places to Grow Act provides growth targets
across the province. The City of Mississauga has
identified intensification areas to meet those
targets. East Credit is not within an intensification
area, as identified by the City.
4
How does this affect the Places to Grow Act? Have you considered?
5
Geography not part of criteria set forth by provincial government - True
General
or False?
6
St. Gertrude is an awesome school! Nobody want to close it so please.
General
St. Gertrude
7
Is there an appeal process once a decision has been made?
General
General
General
General
None
General
St. Gertrude
Thank you for your comments
General
St. Gertrude
Thank you for your comments
General
General
Thank you for your comments
Increases to before and after school spaces will
be subject to available spaces in the school as
well as Ministry of Education licencing
requirements
How much influence does the builders lobby have in the closures of
these schools?
We strongly support option 2- St. Gertrude is a quiet peaceful place
9 conducive to learning. St. Gertrude is a catch area being central
Mississauga attracting French Immersion Students
If St. Gertrude will close then I will move to public school and stop my
10
tax support to Catholic education
11 Closing school will force us to move to public school
8
General
School
General
1
Will additional before and after school spaces be provided in proportion
Child Care
to the increasing numbers in option 1?
General
2
As a parent with children enrolled in PLASP before and after school does
Child Care
this mean if my school closes am I guaranteed a spot for my 2 children.
St. Gregory
3
4
1
2
I have 2 children in PLASP after school programs. Will you guarantee me
placement for my children should our school close?
Are you going to guarantee before and after school care for kids being
transferred?
Why are the options going over 100% capacity. This means portables health issues - why is this board trying to increase portables which
negatively affect the health of students
Some of your schools in option 1 have over 100% (capacity) . Are we
closing good buildings to put them in portables?
Child Care
General
Child Care
General
Portables
General
Portables
General
3
What does a portable cost to buy and maintain? How many will be
needed at each site due to each proposal option?
Portables
General
1
Safety. Staff did not consider that if St. Gertrude students go to St.
Valentine they cross at Mavis and LaFayette (6 Lanes and turning lanes
plus 70km/h)
Safety
St. Gertrude
2
Did you realize that a lot of parents are going to public schools, like St.
Gertrude the school beside it (Champlain). Nobody wants to cross major Safety
road (Mavis). In the long run we will end up losing more kids to public.
St. Gertrude
3
Will the schools provide crossing guards if my child walks home form
school?
Safety
General
5
Why are you not taking into account crossing a major street like Mavis
for our children at St. Gertrude?
Safety
St. Gertrude
Safety
St. Gertrude
Safety
St. Gertrude
Safety
St. Gregory
Safety
General
Safety
St. Gertrude
Safety
General
6
Moving St. Gertrude means kids have to cross main intersections.
St. Gertrude is East of Mavis. Why are we being considered you are
7 placing our children in danger everyday by making them cross a busy
road everyday?
Why St. Gregory? The only school north of Britannia? You really want
8
kids crossing a major intersection?
Can I pick another school if my new home school conflicts with a
4
bullying situation?
What considerations have you made to the health and safety of our
9
students who will have to be in portables?
The schools closest to the former Britannia Dump. I didn’t buy a house
10
by the dump to have my children attend school near it.
The Ministry Guidelines is a minimum
requirement for school boards to develop policies
and procedures regarding Pupil Accommodation
Review.
Thank you for your comments
There is no process to appeal the decision made
by the Board of Trustees.
Whereever possible and subject to available
space the Operators will do what they can to
accomdated child care needs for transfering
students
Not necessarily. While the utilization may be over
100% of in some solutions, the actual building can
accommodate more students than the OTG
capacity.
The Board has a surplus of portables. The
relocation cost of portables could be
approximately $20,000/unit depending on the
site, the scope of work required and the number
of portables needed.
The Highway Traffic Act does not allow for the
placement of crossing guards on roads where the
speed limit is above 60km/hr. Therefore,
kindergarten to grade 5 students will be bussed
across Mavis Road and Britannia Road. STOPR
will request that the City of Mississauga’s Traffic
Safety Council do site specific assessments of
major intersections to determine walking safety
for students in grades 6 – 8 and identify any
issues or make recommendations to improve
safety, after the Board of Trustees has made their
final decision regarding the East Credit PAR.
All students in Dufferin-Peel can access the flex
boundary procedure.
All portables are inspected on a regular basis and
meet health and safety requirements.
Thank you for your comments
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PARKING LOT QUESTIONS and RESPONSES
from January 20, 2016 Public Open House
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
Theme
School
Staff
General
Staff
St. Gertrude
Staff
General
Staff
St. Gertrude
For schools that may close will the teachers in those schools be
absorbed in the new schools for instance: St. Gertrude teachers have FI
Staff
classes with highly competitive French teachers. It is important that
there is estimating in standard education regardless of location
St. Gertrude
Question
How would the staff be relocated? Can the staff stay with their
students?
If St. Gertrude closes down, will all of our amazing teachers move to the
new school with us?
For the staff, will the school board meet with the union to develop a fair
placement if senior teachers?
St. Gertrude is one of the Mississauga schools that has high school
ratings due to competitive teachers. Will the teachers be absorbed in
the new schools?
If student well-being is a factor should staffing not allow for stipulations
Staff
for teachers to move with kids?
Since all the teachers will need to find a new job it is not easy so that is
Staff
a disappointment
The board is claiming to care about catholic education - why are the
Transportation
schools that you can walk to church being closed?
Response
The Board will work closely with the OECTA
Elementary Bargaining Unit to relocate any
teachers displaced due to a school closure. The
recently negotiated collective agreement will
serve as the basis for such transfers. Seniority,
experience and teacher preferences will form part
of the discussions as is currently the process for
staffing.
General
General
Thank you for your comments
General
Proximity to churches is not one of the rationale
being considered in this review.
2
What accommodations are being made to accommodate increased
traffic congestion. The school streets are already a mess except St.
Dunstan only one direction to get in, only one way out- no traffic
congestion.
Transportation
St. Dunstan
3
Option 1 - will bussing boundaries be extended should St. Gertrude be
closed?
Transportation
St. Gertrude
4
Will Students be bussed across Mavis even if they don’t meet Distance
eligibility requirements?
Transportation
General
Students that are not eligible for bussing are
encouraged to walk to school. Traffic congestion
at school sites varies from site to site and is dealt
with by the school administration. The Highway Traffic Act does not allow for the
placement of crossing guards on roads where the
speed limit is above 60km/hr. Therefore,
kindergarten to grade 5 students will be bussed
across Mavis Road and Britannia Road. STOPR
will request that the City of Mississauga’s Traffic
Safety Council do site specific assessments of
major intersections to determine walking safety
for students in grades 6 – 8 and identify any
issues or make recommendations to improve
safety, after the Board of Trustees has made their
final decision regarding the East Credit PAR.
8