Proposed Bell Time Change and Possible Grade Reconfiguration For BES and BJSHS Public Discussion March 6, 2017
Meeting Outcome To provide SSRSB with an opportunity to discuss proposed bell time change and related grade configurations for Bridgewater Elementary School and Bridgewater Junior Senior High School This meeting will : Review background facts and assumptions Provide time for discussion and feedback from attendees, that will be used to inform the recommendations of staff to the governing board. 2
Where are we now SOC makes five recommendations Staff reports recommendations to Board for decisions Board accepts SOC recommendations Policy 265 procedures initiated Staff Voice Public Consultation Meeting Joint Bridgewater SAC Consultation 3
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Proposed Start / Stop Time Alignment (for September 2017) Upon reviewing the possible Grade Configurations for BES/BJSHS, it was noted that in order to be able to recommended any changes, both schools need to be on the same bell time. The outcome of Catchment Areas review during 2017-18, also point to the need for aligned bell times. This would ensure no infrastructure would need to be added for transportation purposes Cannot consider any of the scenarios other than status quo without bell alignment. The request is to have both campuses on a instructional bell time of 8:30 am 2:30 pm Current students in grades P to 6 would see a minor change (10 min earlier start time) Current students in grades 7 to 8 (158 students) would see a 30 min earlier start time (grade 9s are already at PVEC) AM PM 6
Spring 2016 for School Options Committee September 2016 for SSRSB 7
Possible Timeline 2016 / 2017 (January to March 31) Changing of Start/End of school day, BES / BJSHS consultation (policy 265) Grade reconfiguration, BES / BJSHS schools 2017 / 2018 PVEC / Bridgewater families of schools catchment area review (as per SOC/SSRSB criteria and policy 390) Start Pentz / Petite transition planning 2018 / 2019 Pentz / Petite to BES and/or Hebbville PVEC / Bridgewater families of schools catchment area review in effect Possible New Germany family of schools review 2019 / 2020 8 New Germany family of schools review results in effect
Facts (within a projected model) 1. BJSHS grades 10 to 12 students attending PVEC for September 2017. 2. Pentz and Petite schools are closed for September 2018 (students attend Hebbville and/or Bridgewater). Assumptions 3. Grade reconfiguration at BES / BJSHS for September 2017 (Policy 265 to accommodate school start time, grade reconfiguration changes). 4. Following SOC recommendation and board discussion, after community consultation (2017 / 2018 school year), some version of the PVEC / BJSHS families of schools (Hebbville, Newcombville, Bayview, Bluenose, Pentz) catchment area will be in place by September 2018. (Policy 390) 5. New Germany family of schools, school review, some changes could occur that may result in P to 12 students from that catchment moving to the three Bridgewater schools. 9
POSSIBLE School Year 2017 / 2018 Drop Down Effect FACT: BJSHS and PVEC 10 to 12 consolidation ASSUMPTION: BJSHS and BES P - 9 reconfiguration Current (Sept 30 /16) P - 4 P - 5 P 6 (Status Quo) SCHOOL GR. CONFIG. ENROL. UTILIZATION* GR. CONFIG. ENROL. UTILIZATION GR. CONFIG. ENROL. UTILIZATION GR. CONFIG. ENROL. UTILIZATION BES P - 6 448 85% P - 4 331 63% P - 5 391 74% P - 6 448 85% BJSHS 7 9 219 35% 5-9 336 54% 6 9 276 44% 7 9 219 35% * Utilization Calculation as per Long Range Outlook 10
POSSIBLE School Year 2019 / 2020 Drop Down Effect FACT: BJSHS and PVEC 10 to 12 consolidation ASSUMPTION: BJSHS and BES P - 9 reconfiguration FACT: Pentz and Petite closed ASSUMPTION: PVEC / Bridgewater families of schools catchment area changes in effect ASSUMPTION: NG families of schools School Review, students to Bridgewater schools Current P - 4 P - 5 P - 6 SCHOOL GR. CONFIG. ENROL. UTILIZATION GR. CONFIG. ENROL. UTILIZATION GR. CONFIG. ENROL. UTILIZATION GR. CONFIG. ENROL. UTILIZATION Bridgewater Elem. BJSHS ( no grade 10-12 students) P - 6 448 85% P - 4 474 90% P - 5 569 108% P - 6 653 124% 7 9 219 35% 5-9 484 78% 6 9 389 63% 7 9 305 49% Newcombville P 5 156 78% P - 5 108 54% P - 5 108 54% P - 5 108 54% Bayview P - 9 423 77% P - 9 351 64% P - 9 351 64% P - 9 351 64% Hebbville P - 9 530 74% P - 9 584 81% P - 9 584 81% P - 9 584 81% Bluenose P - 9 513 86% P - 9 495 83% P - 9 495 83% P - 9 495 83% WNES P - 6 133 53% P 6 99 40% P 6 99 40% P 6 99 40% Same as P 4 Scenario NGRHS 7-12 335 58% 7 12 303 52% 7 12 303 52% 7 12 303 52% PVEC 10-12 709 78% 10-12 864 96% 10-12 864 96% 10-12 864 96% 11
School Cultural Transition Cultural Change What we believe and think. Structural Change Our behaviours and actions. Reconfiguration to P - 5 and 6-9, would result in (117) current BES grades 5, 6 students combining with (158) BJSHS grades 7, 8 students for the 2017-18 school year. Reconfiguration to P - 4 and 5-9, would result in (189) current BES grades 4,5,6 students combining with (158) current BJSHS grades 7, 8 students for the 2017-18 school year.
Educational Considerations Location of grade cohorts in elementary and middle level schools Age and developmental considerations inform the placement of classrooms. Dedicated grade area classrooms would be located in a specific area so that students are interacting most often with students of the same age. This enables teachers to collaborate and build a collective responsibility for the students in their area. Moving two elementary grades provides more opportunity for efficient class sizes as there is potential for split grades. Recess scheduling Schools often stagger recesses and designate areas that students can occupy during their recess time. This also is driven by age and grade considerations. Enhanced program areas Technology Education Lab, a large art classroom, a band/music room, a Learning Commons that houses the SSRSB s Brilliant lab. Increased opportunities to apply learning in the areas known as STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics). BJSHS has several functional Learning Center spaces. 13
Educational Considerations continued Lunch organization Students will be grouped based on age and grade as much as possible for recess and lunch. This would require both BES and BJSHS students to share outside space and be co-supervised by each school at the grade 4-6 level. Access to outdoor space during school breaks is important to the health and well being of our students. Brilliant Lab access Currently access to the Brilliant Lab located in BJSHS is available to all students and their teacher at BES. Staffing For September 2017, regardless of configuration, regular staffing procedures and allocations will be followed. 14
BJSHS Floor Plan BJSHS First Floor 15
BJSHS Second Floor 16
Transportation Considerations Transportation staff have investigated traffic flow around both schools. September 2017, traffic at BES and BJSHS will decrease as grades 10-12 student drivers attend PVEC. Bus drop off and pickup could occur as it presently does on Queen Street, other alternatives are being explored. Parent drop off could continue to occur in designated areas on York Street. Following 2017-18 catchment area review, the number of buses arriving at the site could increase from 5 up to 9 and the bus pickup area could increase by up to 4 bus spaces in the afternoon. Discussions about transportation changes with the Town of Bridgewater will occur following this consultation. 17
What we heard at SAC Meeting Feb 27 Start Stop Times Child care arrangements Safety and parking issues Older children impacted Before and after school activities affected Convenience opportunity for parents Reconfiguration Utilization Programming Transition time Grades socially and culturally together Supervision Staffing Questions Transition Cross-graded activities Special Needs Extra-curricular programs Staffing French Immersion Transportation 18
Small Group Discussion & Input The thoughts / ideas / comments from these small group discussions will be shared with all governing Board Members as part of their decision making process. In your group select a. Recorder - to write down your collective comments (the documents will be collected) Reporter - to provide a brief, verbal report to the larger group (a consensus voice rather than individual opinion) Time Keeper - to keep your group on-track and ensure all members have a voice At transition, use the parking lot to post any of your individual ideas or questions you may want the Board to consider. You will have 30 minutes in your small group and 15 for reporting out. There are two questions. 19
Small Group Question #1 Start and Stop Time What challenges and/or opportunities will the proposed change in bell time present for: All Students All Parents/Guardians Other 20
Small Group Question #2 Grade Reconfiguration Status Quo, P -5 and 6-9, P-4 and 5-9, Other 1. As a table group, choose a best scenario: a. What challenges & opportunities exist? b. Why you believe your chosen scenario is the best for all students P-9. 21
Consultation Timeline Policy 265: Changing of Start / End of School Day Feb 27 / 28 March 6/ 7 March 8 March 21 March 22 April 26 BES / BJSHS combined SAC Meeting Public consultation C.O.W. consultation report, discussion Bridgewater schools staff comments through Principals Board meeting, discussion and possible notice of motion Board meeting, possible motion and decision Note: March 7, this PPT will be posted to the board web site March 9, transcript of both SAC and Public meeting comments will be posted to the board website. 22
Thank you Merci Wela lioq SSRSB Motto: Inspiring students to reach their full potential 23