Blessed Mother Teresa School
English Program Closure
and
Relocation Meeting
February 6, 2012
Feedback
Help Plan Our Future: Blessed Mother Teresa School – English Program
Closure and Relocation Meeting
Table of Contents
WORLD CAFE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT .................................................................................................. 1
1.
Do you have any questions / comments about the information that has been provided to date
and with tonight’s presentation? .................................................................................................... 1
2.
Do you have any questions or comments on the closure process as outlined in the presentation?
......................................................................................................................................................... 3
3.
After hearing the presentation this evening is there any new information that needs to be
considered in relation to the goal outlined earlier in the presentation? ........................................ 4
OTHER COMMENTS ...................................................................................................................................... 4
QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................................................... 5
WORD WALL.................................................................................................................................................. 6
PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK FORM – Blessed Mother Teresa - Meeting, Monday, February 6, 2012 .............. 6
Blessed Mother Teresa School – Feedback February 6, 2012
Page 2
Help Plan Our Future: Blessed Mother Teresa School – English Program
Closure and Relocation Meeting
DATE:
FEBRUARY 6, 2012
TIME:
7:00 PM
LOCATION:
BLESSED MOTHER TERESA SCHOOL GYMNASIUM
Attendees:
Board Chair – Mary Martin
Trustee – Cathie Williams
48 Parents and Community Members
18 Facilitators and district supervisors and school administration
2 Central Office Superintendents
WORLD CAFE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
1. Do you have any questions / comments about the information that has been
provided to date and with tonight’s presentation?
Looking forward to having more choice at Father Whelihan School program.
What impact does the spread have on the French side?
Would like to see breakdown of where the French students live.
What implications on transportation.
Would the district consider picking up the students at the Mid-Sun community centre? Currently
10 students.
Midnapore Child Centre consider having a pick up 10-15 children English students and transport
to Father Whelihan.
What is happening to the ES 1 program and staff?
What happens to the noon hour assistants?
When the French program first came to Blessed Mother Teresa, the numbers at the school was
low. How will the numbers grow if we move students out?
Will we lose Catholic students to the public school?
Will this school go to K-9 French? What about the costs of a science lab?
Thinking of long-term goal with a junior high component, would it make more sense to move
the French program to Father Whelihan?
The majority of the French students are getting bused anyways so consider busing them to
Father Whelihan.
We bought our house close to a school and now the program may be moving.
My day home will not walk the children to Father Whelihan.
There is a busy road for the students to cross.
Has there been any consideration for a more slow closure, such as grandfathering the students
that are in the school.
Will the school name change?
Blessed Mother Teresa School –Feedback - February 6, 2012
Page 1
Help Plan Our Future: Blessed Mother Teresa School – English Program
Closure and Relocation Meeting
My view was that to get into the English track you needed to live in Midnapore. Maybe that is
why the English track is dropping in enrollment in that we are not accepting all students.
The numbers that were shown did not reflect a huge reduction over the years.
The community tends to go up and down in student population. Is it possible to change back if
the community grows a few years from now?
Will portables be ready at Whelihan for the fall if the proposal goes forward?
Will the teachers automatically go to Father Whelihan?
I’m not a huge fan of elementary students in a junior high setting.
Concern was expressed over what would happen to students currently enrolled at the school
but lived outside of the current boundaries. Parent had contacted FJW school and was told they
were not guaranteed space in the school, but would need to be placed on a waiting list.
Question: What guarantees are there for students attending the school currently but live
outside of the designated boundaries?
The question was asked,“is the English program moving to FJW or just the students living in
Midnapore?” Presently 75 students live in Midnapore, but 97 students attend the English
program in the school.
Question: What is the district’s commitment to the students in Silverado attending FJW? Would
increasing numbers of students from Silverado eventually (possibly) limit accessibility for
students who would normally attend Mother Teresa?
Concern was expressed regarding staffing. Concern was expressed over the stability of student
numbers at FJW with the amalgamation of the programs. Question: What does the district
consider to be the ideal number of students enrolled in the elementary program at FJW? What
is the long-term forecast for elementary enrollment at FJW?
Concern: Was expressed over the possible timing of notifications to the families when the
program would be decided to allow for decision making by the families.
Conversation took place regarding transportation of students. Question: What is considered the
appropriate walking distance vs. transportation distance? Question: Why would families have to
pay transportation costs to FJW when the move is initiated by the district and not the families?
Question: Would the district consider transporting students to the current daycare facilities in
which they are enrolled?
What do families do if they have children in each program, especially families from outside the
Mid-Sun boundary? Will the English families from other areas be accommodated at Father
Whelihan?
Transportation issue with the child-care at the Mid-Sun Community Centre – will it be possible
for the district to have a bus stop at the Community Centre as the child-care does not have a bus
and is unable to transport the English students to Father Whelihan?
Questions about the pupil-teacher ratio at Father Whelihan – is it the same as at Blessed Mother
Teresa? (This was explained during the table discussion.)
Busing Times – what will these look like?
School Hours – what will this look like? Will the hours be similar to Blessed Mother Teresa?
Why is the Midnapore pre-school census data not available this evening?
Is the English population data a true representation of the potential within this community?
There is a perception that English students moved out when the French immersion moved in.
Presently, Silverado is designated to Father Whelihan. Now that we are adding the Blessed
Mother Teresa students to Whelihan, will they get moved again when Silverado and Chaparral
grow and overfill Whelihan.
Blessed Mother Teresa School –Feedback - February 6, 2012
Page 2
Help Plan Our Future: Blessed Mother Teresa School – English Program
Closure and Relocation Meeting
Why can the dual track school not remain at Blessed Mother Teresa? Simply re-designate some
of the growing communities (Silverado, Walden) to Blessed Mother Teresa.
Some of the lower income families (not coming to meetings) on Bannister Road, may struggle
with having to travel further.
WHY? Is there really a necessity for the closure of the English program? Why can’t the two
programs continue as is
Is there a possibility of maintaining both programs in the same building?
By doing this, the population at Mother Teresa has become smaller. Is this fiscally responsible?
Is there a contingency plan to ensure the population at Mother Teresa will continue to grow
versus entering into discussions of a school closure down the road?
There are many parents relying on daycare in Midnapore. Can arrangements be made for the
bus to pick-up and deliver to the various daycares?
2. Do you have any questions or comments on the closure process as outlined in the
presentation?
Start process earlier so parents need to make plans once decision is made.
Is there an appeal process once the decision has been made?
Community centre does not bus students –big concern for parents.
What impact will this have on day care centres in the community?
Why move English students out of the community?
Was late immersion option considered?
We are all good with closure process as outlined.
Question: Reference was made to the closure process beginning in 2009, why if it began in 2009
didn’t the school community hear about it until 2011? Concern: If the process began in 2009
why wasn’t the community made more aware of the possible result; i.e., closure of program at
that time?
What is the process for students who are not being successful in the French Immersion
program? Do they have the option of going to Father Whelihan if they live outside the boundary
area of Mid-Sun?
What is the registration process for Father Whelihan if/when the decision is made?
This consultation process did not occur when the French immersion moved in.
There is a very strong impression that the decision was made. Heard that teachers have already
been asked about their preferences.
Why is it so late for the general public to be invited to the consultations? There was no
communication other that the road neon sign. Why not use the community newsletters?
What is a date scheduled for the final decision? (March 18 – answered by Mary Martin.)
If this recommendation isn’t passed, how can parents push for more French within the school?
Can the dual track be more effective?
Blessed Mother Teresa School –Feedback - February 6, 2012
Page 3
Help Plan Our Future: Blessed Mother Teresa School – English Program
Closure and Relocation Meeting
3. After hearing the presentation this evening is there any new information that
needs to be considered in relation to the goal outlined earlier in the
presentation?
Question: The school and students are closely associated with two daycare providers in the
community, how will these students and businesses be accommodated as a result of the closure
negatively affecting them?
Question: How did Mother Teresa School try to sustain the English program student numbers?
Was there an effort by the school and district to market the English program at the school?
What is the long-term future for Mother Teresa School?
There are about 10 students in the English program that attend the Mid-Sun Child Care
program. If there is no bus stop at the Child Care, then many of these students may choose to
attend Midnapore Elementary as the school is next door to the community centre where the
program is housed.
Our Catholic families who cannot afford busing and before and after-school care may opt out of
Catholic Education.
Can the closure of the English program be done gradually: no acceptance of new registrations
and as the Grade 6 class graduates, they move onto Father Whelihan?
If the proposal is not approved, could the French track be bussed to St. Cecelia?
There was discussions when French Immersion was brought into the school about a JH French
immersion being established in the deep south. What has happened to this?
Could the English and French run as separate schools within one building?
OTHER COMMENTS
Ensure the ES1 program teacher moves with the classroom to Father Whelihan – sustainability
of the program.
Where do we go from here for Junior High French and eventually Senior High French?
Midnapore elementary projections show maintaining at 200+.
Stats different from public board – principal from across the way.
Feel the decision has been made.
I don’t agree with the process.
Projections until 2014 or more would be better - not in the package.
Meet and greet for Father Whelihan.
Some people will be considering moving their children to the French program because they
LOVE this school. 
Will busing be provided?
Busing boundaries – will they be extended?
Is there still sustainability of French Immersion population over a number of years?
Do we have to go through re-registration at Father Whelihan?
Is there a plan to go K-9 at Blessed Mother Teresa?
Will bell times change?
How many other schools will be impacted by the process?
Busing – stop by daycare – child care – spaces?
Cost covered by school boards?
Blessed Mother Teresa School –Feedback - February 6, 2012
Page 4
Help Plan Our Future: Blessed Mother Teresa School – English Program
Closure and Relocation Meeting
Lunch room fees?
Are we bringing in ‘Special Programs” for numbers?
Combined classes?
Will parents pull French students if they have an English sibling?
Bell times?
What is the process to transfer files/students/etc.
What will class sizes be?
Less than 1.2 km – how do you ensure safety for children who will have to cross major busy road
– Sunmills Drive? Sunvalley Blvd?
Concern for French students once in JH to have to travel to St. Matthew’s . . . too far! Will you
be looking at French JH in deep south? Please review this.
Reconsider boundaries for next school year.
Great presentation.
Very well presented. Good discussion.
It was another opportunity to talk with different parents than previously; especially as some
were expressing interest in possibly trying to stay in the school by switching tracks – if they
believed their child(ren) were able to meet the challenge and/or still in K-1.
Support staff be bilingual at the office and keep the bilingual office assistant even though he
numbers are down.
Thanks for answering the questions of concern to the best of your knowledge.
Love to know how to ensure transportation for our children from daycare facility; Midnapore
Child Centre to Father Whelihan.
Transportation from community day care facilities to Father Whelihan.
Is there an available French Immersion “catch-up” program for elementary students who might
like to transfer from English?
Would like to hear about any plans to have a French 7-9 in the deep south.
This was a great opportunity to get and give input for the decisions based on the school.
I think the change of the school should be gradually starting not receiving students for English
program at K-1 grades and next year grade cancelled the next grades.
Excellent presentation.
Look at partial leasing of available space at Mother Teresa, if French moved to Father Whelihan
and English remains.
Please consider all thoughts – bus transportation needs attention and planning.
Useful information.
Let’s do it right! A rich French experience.
This was a good opportunity to hear the opinions of other parents. In the end, I am a great
supporter of this proposed change. From a French learning perspective, this is the best decision
to provide the best learning experience.
QUESTIONS
Can we have a multi-language K-9 school?
Blessed Mother Teresa School –Feedback - February 6, 2012
Page 5
Help Plan Our Future: Blessed Mother Teresa School – English Program
Closure and Relocation Meeting
WORD WALL
Move the French group to Father Whelihan where there is greater capacity and infrastructure.
Keep English in Mother Teresa. Vast majority of English students are from Midnapore.
Option: Lease newly available space to daycare for increased income.
PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK FORM – Blessed Mother Teresa - Meeting,
Monday, February 6, 2012
41 Response Sheets Received:
(A) Was the information provided to you helpful in increasing your understanding of the challenges and
opportunities facing student and program accommodation?
27% (Strongly Agree)
59% (Agree)
9% (Disagree)
5% (Strongly Disagree)
0% (Not Applicable)
3% (Strongly Disagree)
0% (Not Applicable)
(B) The table discussion was satisfying, enriching and valuable?
35% (Strongly Agree)
59% (Agree)
3% (Disagree)
(C) The facilitator accommodated the discussion and proceeding at the table?
61% (Strongly Agree)
39 % (Agree)
0% (Disagree)
0% (Strongly Disagree)
0% (Not Applicable)
0% (Strongly Disagree)
0 % (Not Applicable)
(D) I had the opportunity to voice my opinions?
66% (Strongly Agree)
32% (Agree)
2% (Disagree)
Blessed Mother Teresa School –Feedback - February 6, 2012
Page 6