skip to Main Content

Western Area Review final recommendations

The OCDSB recently published its review for the Western Accommodation Review. The final staff recommended changes are as follows:

  • Bell High School (HS) would become a grade 7–12 school;
  • D. Aubrey Moodie Intermediate School (IS) would close;
  • Bells Corners Public School (PS), Lakeview PS and Bayshore PS would become JK–grade 6 schools, with Bells Corners PS offering English (ENG) and Middle French Immersion (MFI), Lakeview PS offering Early French Immersion (EFI), and Bayshore PS offering ENG and EFI;

The final decision will be made on March 1, 2017.

Here is the link to the Western Area Review updated January 27, 2017.

OCDSB is reconsidering removing EFI from Lakeview: Your input is needed

Update on Western Area Review

The Western Area Accommodation Committee appreciates comments you have about TWO NEW options given to the committee for review.

These options keep the EFI program at Lakeview PS while introducing an EFI program at Bells Corners PS (Option #1) or at Bayshore PS (Option #2). A third option was looked at, D.A. Moodie Intermediate School becoming a Grade JK-8 school, but this option did not meet the criteria set out on page 2 of the attached PDF.

This same request for feedback will be distributed to the Lakeview PS, Bells Corners PS, Bayshore PS and D.A. Moodie IS families for feedback. Families should only complete one survey if you have children in more than one of these schools.

Please provide any comments on these alternatives to Jen Nielsen at jen.nielsen08@gmail.com before Tuesday, December 20, 2016.

The Details

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has provided two new options that affect the original proposals for changes for Lakeview Public School, Bells Corners Public School, and Bayshore Public School. Details of the following two new options can be found in the attached PDF on pages 3 and 4. Option #2 has more support from the OCDSB staff because it addresses the OCDSB criteria of “consolidation of program”.

Option #1 – Introduction of Early French Immersion (EFI) at Bells Corners Public School [Note: this option is not seriously considered as it does not align with the criteria]

  • Bells Corners PS becomes a JK-6 ENG, EFI, and MFI triple track
    school with some boundary changes;
  • This change would be introduced slowly, starting with JK-1 in the
    first year and adding one grade per year, with JK-6 being reached in 2022;
  • This is expected to reduce Lakeview PS’s 363 students to 325
    students, in 2017 (Lakeview PS would still be 13% above capacity). This
    expected number of students at Bells Corners PS in 2017 would be
    approximately (26% below capacity); and
  • In 2022, when Bells Corners PS has all grades JK-6 ENG, EFI and MFI tracks, Lakeview PS would have 301 students (Lakeview PS would still be 5% over capacity) and Bells Corners PS would have 402 students (18% under capacity), while Bayshore PS would be 51% under capacity.

Option #1 has the potential to split children from the same family between Lakeview PS and Bells Corners PS. Students who are already in the EFI program at Lakeview PS would stay at Lakeview PS, even though their younger siblings would end up starting the EFI program at Bells Corners PS.

Option #2 – Introduction of Early French Immersion at Bayshore Public School [this option is more closely aligned with the evaluation criteria from the Board and has support from the parent representatives]

  • Bayshore PS would become a JK-6 ENG and EFI dual track school with the EFI boundary the same as its current ENG boundary;
  • This change would be introduced slowly, starting with JK-1 in the
    first year and adding one grade per year, with JK-6 being reached in 2022;
  • In 2017, this will reduce Lakeview PS’s 363 students to 308 students (Lakeview PS would still be 7% above capacity). This expected number of students at Bayshore PS in 2017 would be approximately 375 (37% below capacity); and
  • In 2022, when Bayshore PS has all grades JK-6 ENG and EFI, Lakeview PS would have 260 students (Lakeview PS would be 10% under capacity) and Bayshore PS would have 423 students (29% under capacity), while Bells Corners PS would be 36% under capacity.

Option #2 has the potential to split children from the same family between Lakeview PS and Bayshore PS. Students who are already in the EFI program at Lakeview PS would stay at Lakeview PS, even though their younger siblings would end up starting the EFI program at Bayshore PS.

Timeline

  • December 6, 2016: Last scheduled Advisory Committee meeting was held
  • 20 December 2016: We have received your comments based on the information in this e-mail
  • 23 December 2016: Consolidated comments about the Alternative
    Options #1 and #2 sent by us to OCDSB staff
  • 10 January 2017: Last Public meeting
  • 27 January 2017: Final report released for Board consideration
  • 13 February 2017: Committee of the Whole will discuss the
    recommendations
  • 01 March 2017: Final Board decision

Thanks for your comments.

Sincerely,
Jen Nielsen

Survey about the closure of DA Moodie

D.A. Moodie School Council is conducting a survey to gets parents’ and students’ thoughts on the proposed closure of D.A. Moodie and moving of Grade 7 and 8 students to Bell High School. If you have children at D.A. Moodie, please fill out this survey (see link below).

For those who do not have children that currently attend D.A. Moodie, this proposed change will affect you and your children so please take the time to fill out the survey as well.

D.A. Moodie Survey

School Council Training Day: Nov. 19th

School Council Training Day

“Bridging Home and School: What we want for our learners”
Saturday November 19, 2016 – 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School – 149 Berrigan Drive

Summary

Participants will have the opportunity to attend three workshops focusing on everything from managing emotions to helping your child succeed. The day is designed to encourage discussion, embrace new ways of doing things and networking with your neighbours. There is no cost or fee to participate in this conference – but you do need to register. Free parking is available behind the school. Free childcare is also available.

Click here for more information and to register.

Elementary School Program Framework Consultation

Note: This consultation is different than the Western Area Review. These proposed changes will affect all schools for the board.

The Elementary School Program Framework (ESPF) provides a model for elementary schools and programming in the district. It provides a roadmap of how optimum program planning can be achieved at individual schools and throughout the District.
Along with the Secondary School Program Framework, these documents describe our vision for school configuration models and program offerings from K-12 that support student achievement and well-being. These two frameworks will inform decision making in accommodation planning in terms of how best to use District facilities and resources to offer exemplary programming in a fiscally responsible manner. The Framework recognizes the importance of minimizing transitions for students and that program viability and sustainability are important factors in ensuring that elementary students have access to quality programs.

The goals of the framework are to:

  • ensure the provision of optimal learning environments through a range of program offerings;
  • provide programs as close as possible to a student’s home community; and
  • ensure equitable access to programs for students throughout the school district.

Consultation Plan

You can find more information on the consultation on the Elementary School Program Framework (ESPF) page of the OCDSB website.

Back To Top