Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ 1. Communication Q. Is there a special reason why the Steering Committee met with New Era parents separately from Harrison, George Fitton and Green Acres parents? Yes. The Harrison, George Fitton and Green Acres parents needed to have the opportunity to ask questions about the Single Track French Immersion implementation plan that were focused on facility changes and subsequent concerns. The New Era parents needed to be informed on the differences in the instructional models of Single and Dual Track French Immersion programs. Facility questions for New Era parents were subsidiary to the programming questions. Q. Prior to the Board’s decision to make Harrison the single track location, they met with New Era parents. 48% were interested in single track, and 52% were not. Why are you not listening to the majority? Opposition was expressed with regard to the displacement of English track students at New Era. The results of the French Milieu Public Consultation indicated that the six proposed implementation options were not strongly favoured by the community as a whole, the same results indicated that there would be significant support for a Single Track French Immersion model if an appropriate facility was identified. The current enrollment in the French Immersion program has outstripped the capacity of New Era to house the program. With no clear decision, and a facility change required, the Board of Trustees is in the position that it must reconfigure facilities to ensure delivery of the program. Q. At the next parent meeting in February what can we expect in getting consistent information from the Steering Committee, so errors aren’t repeated and we are informed? The Steering Committee will report to the Board on a bi‐weekly basis at each Board meeting. These reports will be published after each meeting on the Brandon School Division website. An up‐to‐date report will be provided in February Q. When discussions began around Single Track French Immersion, the term used was French Milieu; now all I hear is single track French Immersion – are they the same thing or different? Single Track French Immersion and French Milieu are often used interchangeably, but Single Track French Immersion is the term most consistently used in Provincial descriptions of French Immersion programming. Q. How do you see the interaction of parents happening in the Single Track French Immersion school? French Immersion programs, by definition, are for students whose primary language is English. As such, all interactions between school and English‐speaking parents will be in English. Q. When the initial consultation surveys were done Harrison wasn’t even offered as an option; how are we to make decisions? One option was to empty George Fitton to make room. The Board, with no clear support for the original 6 options, decided to move older children to create space within the same catchment area. The fundamental choice facing parents is whether or not they want the opportunity for their children to participate in French Immersion programming in either Single Track or Dual Track models. Q. What are the reasons that someone would choose single track FI for kindergarten students? Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ •
All the students who attend a French Immersion school are enrolled in the French Immersion Program where a French environment is fostered. •
This environment results from the use of French as the language of administration and internal communication, as well as the language of communication between teachers and students. •
The entire staff is fluent in French, thus assuring that all support services are offered in French. •
The immersion school provides students with the opportunity to live in French within the context of the entire school, a factor that favours a high degree of proficiency in French. Q. Why do we need a French Immersion school? To appease the minority of course. Q. Why a French school? Why not Ukrainian, Spanish, etc.? The entitlement for French Immersion programming is provided for under Manitoba’s Public Schools Act. Q: Will our school taxes go up, when it changes to single dual track French Immersion? The changes to French Immersion programming do not mean taxes will go up. Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ 2. Establishment of Enrolment for Single Track French Immersion Program Q. How will the Single Track French Immersion school affect École O’Kelly School? École O’Kelly School will not be affected. Students from École O’Kelly School will have the same opportunity to attend either the Single Track French Immersion Program at École Harrison or attend École New Era beginning in Grade 5 as they currently do. Q. Is there a risk that the current, well‐established program may become fractured with a split and a doubling of the costs? The costs associated with the facilities involved do not change. Yes some additional materials will be required, but these would be required where ever the overflow is assigned. While there will be reconfiguration within the French Immersion program in Brandon School Division, the staff remain high calibre and actively engaged in delivering solid programming. Programs delivered at Harrison will be distributed to other catchment schools. Q. Was the current French Immersion population surveyed about the want/need for the Single Track French Immersion delivery model? Feedback from French Immersion parents was a part of the French Milieu Public Consultation. During the registration period for the Single Track French Immersion in October 2009, parents will again have an opportunity to voice their preference for the program options. Q. How many students are required for the Single Track French Immersion school? If the required number doesn’t materialize, how many students would be leaving École New Era? Q. What is the number of students that will be attending the French Milieu? Is there a predominate area these students will be coming from? A registration of 150‐200 students would facilitate the implementation of the Single Track French Immersion school. The management of the capacity of École New Era will require that a minimum of 150‐200 students be reassigned to a program at École Harrison. The program is anticipated to grow to fill Harrison. French Immersion is a Divisional program and as such students attend from across the Division. Some students will be from the George Fitton and Green Acres catchment areas. Q. We are being asked to register for the single track French Immersion school in October but nothing about the implementation will be final until June – what happens if we register for single track French Immersion and later change our mind? Can we come back to École New Era? Yes, as with any school of choice placement, should parents change their mind, if space is available, there would be an opportunity to move back to École New Era. Q. If we choose to enroll our child in the Single Track French Immersion school, and he doesn’t understand, can he return to New Era? (We do not speak French at home and cannot help with language.) Instruction in the Single Track French Immersion program is the same as the current Dual Track model. The encompassing environment is enriched with French. If necessary and if space is available, he would be able to return to École New Era. Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ Q. Mobility – if my child remains at the dual track next year, and we decide that we would prefer him to be in the single track the following year, is that too late, notwithstanding enrolment caps at Harrison? Is there a cut‐off age for moving from dual to single track French Immersion? As long as capacity allows for movement, a case by case assessment would determine student movement. There is no cut‐off age for the transition. Q. Is a particular number not needed in order to establish a new school? If a school can be closed because of low numbers (not cost effective) then how is it that the development of a new school does not need to have a benchmark number in order to commence? Should the numbers of interested students who would attend a French Immersion program not have been obtained before looking at developing a French Immersion school? The facility at New Era is over subscribed. Students must be moved. The Board option provides for choice but must move 150 – 200 students immediately for September 2010. Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ 3. Establishment of New School Configurations Q. Will LAC classes at Harrison move with the rest of the students? While they will move, they will not move to George Fitton. The school placement of the LAC classes is in the process of being determined. Q. What will be the grade levels if Harrison becomes dual track (e.g. if not enough students register for single track to run the program)? Will it be grades 6‐8 English and grades 6‐8 FI? Q. Why not move the grades 6‐8 FI students to Harrison and leave everything else the same? The final configuration of the program will be determined by the Board of Trustees. Current and predicted enrollment for French Immersion indicate that a Dual Track model for École Harrison cannot be considered as a long‐term implementation option because facility capacities at École New Era and École Harrison are well below what would result from a Dual Track implementation model. Q. Is School of Choice still an option? Yes. Q. George Fitton is located in the fastest growing area of the city. Can GF accommodate the extra students? No. Students from the growth areas who are bussed may be redirected to other schools. Q. Would catchment area boundaries for the new development south of George Fitton be reviewed? Yes. The growth in this area of the city does impact George Fitton. Students in the area south of Maryland Avenue and east of 9th Street may be directed to other schools if boundaries are redefined, or a new school is approved. Q. I live close to the Riverheights catchment, on 9th Street South. Is it a possibility that my child would need to go to a new school altogether (Riverheights), and not to George Fitton or Green Acres? Yes, if catchment areas are redefined, catchment area students would be returned to George Fitton or Green Acres. Placement of out of catchment students will be determined as final school configurations and catchment areas are determined. Q. When would we know what school our children would be assigned to? Once the Board of Trustees has determined the implementation model and associated strategies determined families will be advised. This phase will take place in February 2010. Q. What will happen to the Harrison program? Will it carry through at George Fitton, Green Acres and beyond? The “Finding My Way” program at Harrison will be presented for other schools to consider for implementation with their students. Q. If (English) students will attend Harrison for band, industrial arts, physical education – how does that fit with single track? The Implementation Committee will provide options for the Board to consider. Access by other students to programming at École Harrison would be not significantly different that students from École Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ New Era going to Harrison Middle School or other English Program schools for similar programming. The facility does already prove separate areas for Band and Industrial Arts. Q. What are you planning to do to respond to the growth of the French Immersion program? The implementation plan is anticipated to accommodate French Immersion Program requirements until at least 2017. Projections much beyond 5‐7 years are unreliable. Q. You’ve indicated that you can’t cap enrolment in French Immersion; can you cap enrolment at the single track FI school? The division is obligated to provide French Immersion programming, but can manage the distribution across multiple facilities as it currently does with English Track programs currently. Q. We live in the New Era catchment; would my children be bussed to Harrison if we chose single track FI school? If you live outside the radius for eligible bussing, your children could be bussed. Q. If the enrollment had to be capped at Harrison, would my children be the first to be bumped because we live in the New Era catchment area? The implementation model will consider both capacity and configuration so that this should not be a consideration. Q. Has anyone considered the impact this may have on the Harrison students? There is a chance of some attending 4 schools in the next 3 years, until renovations are done at Green Acres. The impact on students is a consideration in the development of the implementation plan. Q. What about students that have learning difficulties and thrive on consistency and familial supports? Supports for students with learning difficulties are available in all schools in Brandon School Division. Supports for families are available through all Brandon School Division Schools. Q. Who is deciding which student will go to which school? Students will be assigned to their home schools based on currently designated feeder schools and catchment configurations determined by the Board. Q. Will parents be offered the opportunity of school of choice? Yes. All parents have to access school of choice for their children if room is available in the receiving school. Q. Can Band be taught in French at a single track French Immersion school? Yes. Q. Could Harrison become a dual track 7‐8 school with the 7 and 8 classes come over to Harrison, freeing up space at New Era while maintaining our current space? The mandate from the Board is a Single Track model. Implementation of a Dual Track model cannot, by capacity be explored as a long term implementation model. Q. My son struggles with schooling, due to both medical and social issues, however the support, recognition and acknowledgement he received from his teachers and the year end awards (he Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ received 3!) has done more for him than I can begin to describe. Will this practice continue at George Fitton and Green Acres? Schools acknowledge and celebrate students’ success in many ways; some similar and some different, depending upon their school communities. Q. What of the French school in Shilo? Could not 7‐8 students from New Era be bussed at a fraction of the cost that two new gyms would cost (approx. 5 million dollars) to alleviate the overcrowding? The French (Francophone) school in Shilo is not part of the Brandon School Division. Status quo on facilities means that George Fitton and Green Acres would not likely ever get appropriate facility replacements. Q. If this is a “done deal” and it is in the best interest of all the students, then why not do the transition when all of the renovations and resources are in place at George Fitton and Green Acres? By transitioning the Harrison students back to their elementary schools without appropriate gyms and resources in place, the Board is creating inequities between the English only students and the French Immersion students. Why not ensure that George Fitton and Green Acres are appropriately set up to accommodate the middle school students, before rushing them back to schools that are providing less resources than what they are accustomed to having? Is this not discriminating against low to middle income English only students? Who are we to turn to if our child is injured or injures someone else (due to not having the appropriately sized gym)? The Board has made the decision to offer a single track program at Harrison School. New Era is currently over‐capacity with an over‐scheduled gymnasium. Enrollment will exacerbate the situation further in September 2010. The over‐crowding must be distributed across several buildings to minimize the impact on all students’ programming, French Immersion and English. The Board is responsible for all facilities and students. Not moving forward is not an option for the Board. Q. Is it possible that, depending on the grades your children are in, that you could have one child at New Era and one child at Harrison? Yes. Q. What is the number of students that will be displaced throughout the 3 schools affected? About 120 students will be redirected back to Green Acres and George Fitton. Approximately 40 students will remain in the buildings rather than moving to Harrison. Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ 4. Preparation of Schools’ Instructional Plans Q. Will grades 7 and 8 at Green Acres be multi‐age? Q. If enrollment is smaller in one school will there be more split grade classes? While multi‐age classrooms provide many enhanced learning opportunities for students, final grade configurations are the purview of the school principal, in consultation with staff and Senior Administration. School size does not mean multi‐age classes. Distribution of enrollment, educational priorities and capacity for growth do affect multi‐age decisions. Q. Have there ever been 450 students at George Fitton? Yes, some time ago, and the building does have the capacity. Q. How about doing it like they do in Winnipeg – when they’re full, they’re full? The current reorganization is exactly the same process as the Board of Trustees are reconfiguring schools to be able to fulfill their mandate to provide access to French Immersion programming. Q. If the current music and physical education teachers at New Era move to a new Single Track school, will every effort be made to recruit bilingual replacements for the dual‐track program when these are not strictly required to meet the requirements for that program? Or is it the intention to let those classes be left as English‐only after said departure? What of the administrative staff, secretary, etc.? Bilingual French staff will be pursued to maintain the quality instructional model currently in place. Administrative and support staff will be sought as they always have been. Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ 5. Reassignment of Staff Q. Will there be appropriate counselors in Middle Years at George Fitton and Green Acres? Yes, all Brandon School Division staff are qualified for their teaching assignments. This would continue to be the expectation for George Fitton and Green Acres. Q. How many teachers would be added to Green Acres? This would depend upon the number of students returning to the school. Staffing is currently based upon a ratio of 16.43 students for each 1.0 FTE teacher. Q. What steps are being taken to recruit French speaking substitute teachers? There is a specific recruitment plan for French Immersion teachers. The division actively recruits qualified substitute. Q. What plans are in place for providing French speaking teachers for industrial arts and home economics? Specialty teachers with French language skills will be sought. Q: Will you have to hire more French teachers? Q. Are there enough French teachers in the Division for two schools? Yes there are. There will be no additional requirements beyond the anticipated growth in the French Immersion program. Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ 6. School Facility Restructuring Q. How/where will physical education classes be held for students who return to home schools of George Fitton and Green Acres? Will students return to Harrison for physical education and if so will they be bussed? Implementation details have not yet been determined. These questions will be considered in the development of the Single Track French Immersion model. Several options are being explored. Q. If Harrison students are returned to George Fitton and Green Acres, will lockers be provided (for cell phones, etc.)? Locker/storage spaces are provided for middle years students across the Division. This would be our intent. Q. What is the timeline for constructing new gymnasiums at George Fitton and Green Acres? (The Board had said they were thinking of using money for sale of Fleming School.) Requests for facilities have been forwarded to the Public Schools Finance Board for consideration. Depending on their timelines initial facilities could be available for use within 3‐5 years. The funds from the sale of Fleming School would not be sufficient to build new facilities. Q. If the Board of Trustees has reserve funds, is PSFB approval still needed? Yes. PSFB approval is required for all school facilities in Manitoba. The reserve fund is not adequate for this project. Q. Regarding playground equipment, what is the boundary for the two schools (George Fitton and Harrison)? The George Fitton play structure is being torn down at the end of June 2010. Is it possible that the two schools could share a play structure and fundraise together? Q. What about playground facilities at Harrison? Will there be appropriate facilities available for early years students? There would be no ”boundary” on the playground between George Fitton and Harrison. They could share use and fundraise together. Playground recommendations will be part of the implementation plan. Q. Will recess (for George Fitton and Harrison) be at separate times? Will it be “us vs. them” on the playground? It would be logical that recess periods will be different, if only for safety reasons. The staff does not support an “us vs. them” mentality on the playground, so it should not be an issue. Q. Re: gym at George Fitton – are you saying kids will be in classes in the gym? Classes would be delivered as they now are at George Fitton. Q. How many empty classrooms are there currently at George Fitton? There are at least 6 classrooms that could be reconfigured for regular classroom instruction. Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ Q. Students at Green Acres change for phys. ed. in the bathroom – if grades 7s and 8s return to Green Acres will this continue? Initially, possibly this may be the case. When the gymnasium is upgraded, change facilities will be included. Q: How many empty classrooms are there at Green Acres? At least two classrooms are available for the Grade 7 and 8 students. Q. Would Green Acres still have room for library, technology, etc.? Yes. The facility has capacity for expansion. Q. How good is it going to be for my kids to be crammed into classrooms? The capacity of the available classrooms is no different than those currently used in George Fitton and Green Acres. Higher enrollments do not necessarily mean “crammed” classrooms. The division has always supported reasonable class sizes. Q. What about adding on to New Era? Q. Was an addition proposed for New Era? This option was a consideration at the Facilities Committee of the Board, but there is insufficient property available to provide enough space for 200‐300 additional students and still be able to have a playground. A K‐8 facility in excess of 550 students is not appropriate. Q. Washroom facilities at George Fitton are inadequate for 300 students. Have you considered plumbing upgrades before making this decision? Plumbing upgrades are part of ongoing Capital Development plans. Additional facilities would be considered as part of the implementation recommendations. Q. Regarding roof reconstruction at Green Acres – will students attend Harrison for the remainder of the school year? Q. What is happening to Green Acres students and returning Green Acres students during the upcoming roof repair? Tentative plans for the reconstruction process are for relocation at Harrison. Q. If kids can’t be there in spring, why can they be at the end of construction? Once the roof is back in place, external finishing work can continue for some time without safety concerns, or interruption of classes. Q. Will there be funds to support a new second French library? Yes. The implementation committee has recognized that the implementation recommendations will require some additional funding. Q. If Harrison students are moved to Green Acres and George Fitton, what will happen in the fall if the roof renovations at Green Acres have not been completed? The impact of disruptions in timelines will be a consideration in the development of the final implementation plan. Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ Q. What about music programs? Q. What about the specialized programs/classrooms at Harrison that are set up to house the East Side Band and Industrial Arts? There are considerable dollars invested in these areas – will they be duplicated at George Fitton or Green Acres. Classroom music programs will continue to be offered at Harrison. Band may or not be housed at Harrison. Q. Can Harrison be a truly single track FI school with the industrial arts and band areas available for students from other schools? Is there a plan to isolate these areas? Yes. The areas in question are already isolated from the main instructional areas of the school. Q. Will New Era parents have an opportunity to tour Harrison? Arrangements will be made for a tour when configurations are determined. Details will follow for staff and parents. Q. Can you reassure me that this same conversation won’t happen four years down the road due to overcrowding of the single track French Immersion school at Harrison? Based on the Public Consultation in the spring, and the limitations of facilities and catchments, this program could not be implemented in another school in the Division. Additional Dual Track models could be implemented if French Immersion grows at a significantly higher rate than anticipated. Q. Why not consider Fleming School as a potential site for the single track French Immersion school? Fleming is not big enough and extensive, expensive renovations have already been previously declined by the Public Schools Finance Board. Q. What will happen for middle years sports teams at Green acres? There were only 16 grade 6 students graduating from Green Acres in June 2009 – not enough for a boys’ or girls’ team for anything, let alone the issue of the use of the Green Acres gym for sports at that grade level. Opportunities will be provided for athletics. Q. Safety concerns re: crossing 1st and Queens, and “where is the pride and self worth of an athletic program and school going to develop if the students cannot even participate and represent their own school but have to travel to a gym they know in their minds they should really be in to begin with?” Athletic competition and physical education programs have different physical needs and fundamental philosophies. School pride is not only developed through athletic competition in gymnasiums, but opportunities will be provided until all facilities are ready. Q. What of the Single Track French Immersion athletic program? When will games, practices, etc. occur? School staff are capable of collaboration and cooperation to meet the needs of programs for athletics. Multiple facilities may have to be included to address these concerns (i.e. expand beyond the Green Acres, George Fitton, Harrison mindset). Q. The other two schools affected by this conversion were in need of upgrading before the decision and with it are going to be very overcrowded. How do you plan to address these needs of the other schools? Single Track French Immersion Implementation FAQ Capital requests have been made of the Public School Finance Board. Adjustments will be planned to accommodate all the involved schools’ needs in the interim. Q: Fire regulations and codes, will they be up to date when you add 100‐150 students to George Fitton? Yes. Q: The cost of upgrades and new gyms – would it be almost better to build a new school, just for the French? No. A new school, when built will have to serve a new catchment area to accommodate growth in the city. The division will likely only get one school and is needed elsewhere. Q: If it’s going to be a French Immersion school, the kids from Harrison, will they be able to stay and then you wouldn’t have to move anybody? A Single Track French Immersion cannot house a full‐time English Track program. Q: Will the preschool at George Fitton be gone, when it’s the only preschool in that area? Yes. It will move. H:\DR. MICHAELS\SINGLE TRACK FRENCH IMMERSION SCHOOL\STFI Questions & Answers.docx