Update on Proposed Changes to Catchment Areas and Programs of Choice Locations (December 21, 2017)
To comply with the class size and composition legal requirements and manage enrolment pressures the school district presented several proposals on changes to catchment areas and Programs of Choice locations at public information meetings with a request for written feedback on those proposed changes.
SD43 Board and staff listened to stakeholders at those meetings, collected and thoroughly reviewed feedback from families, and analyzed existing options and the proposed alternatives. Recommendations were made by staff which in some cases included revised recommendations where feasible based on the feedback from families and commitments of support received from municipal partners.
SD43’s Board of Education and staff have been committed to implementing changes to comply with the class size and composition legal requirements, manage enrolment pressures and maintain programs of choice while striving to minimize the impact on students, families, employees and schools.
Decisions have been reached which accomplish that given the options that were available. Detailed information on the decisions can be read in the announcements posted below under each specific heading.
“Engaging with our stakeholders has been important in creating a collaborative approach in exploring options and determining the best feasible solutions,” stated SD43 Board Chair Kerri Palmer Isaak. “On behalf of the Board of Education, I wish to thank our parents for their supportive and constructive feedback, our municipal partners for their committed support, and our district staff who continuously pursued solutions that would minimize the impact on students, families, employees and schools.”
Additional information specific to each case below will be provided to families in early 2018.
Update on Proposed Changes to Catchment Areas and Programs of Choice Locations (December 14, 2017)
The school district presented proposals on changes to catchment areas and Programs of Choice locations at public information sessions two weeks ago with a request for written feedback on those proposed changes. The feedback received was passionate and we understand and empathize with families as we determine how to best manage enrolment and class composition pressures at our schools.
SD43’s Board of Education and staff have been listening, value the considerable public feedback received and are working to thoroughly review it with the intention of revising some of the recommendations. This analysis and revision process will take more time to finalize than originally planned. To allow for this, the December 20 special public board meeting has been cancelled.
SD43’s primary goal for these proposed changes is to comply with the class size and composition legal requirements, manage enrolment pressures and maintain programs of choice in a way that strives to minimize the impact on students, families, employees and schools.
To that end, engaging with our families and municipal partners has been important in creating a mutual understanding of each other’s challenges and concerns, and a collaborative approach to exploring the options and finding solutions. We thank our parents for their feedback and our municipal partners for their support as we work to achieve our collective goals.
As more information becomes available, additional updates will be communicated on the SD43 and school websites.
Information Review and Feedback (December 11, 2017)
Thank you to all those who provided feedback on the proposed changes outlined at the information sessions and in the presentations posted below.
Information Sessions for Catchment Areas and Programs of Choice (Posted November 17, 2017. Updated November 29, 2017)
In alignment with Policy 19 and as a part of the annual district-wide catchment boundary review, catchment areas and Programs of Choice needing alterations for the 2018-2019 school year were identified in the Spring of 2017. After a thorough analysis of short, medium and long-term enrolment trends, it was determined that action is required in a few areas.
School District 43 invites you to attend information sessions on proposed catchment area changes for regular programs and Smiling Creek Elementary, and location updates for Programs of Choice. Each of the following information sessions will include a presentation followed by an opportunity to provide written feedback.
Small Regular Programs Catchment Areas
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
5:30 – 7:00 pm – Regular Program Catchment Areas
(Small catchment changes)
Eagle Mountain Middle Catchment AreasWednesday, November 29, 2017
5:30 – 7:00 pm – Regular Program Catchment Areas
(Eagle Mountain changes)
Programs of Choice Locations 7:30 – 9:00 pm – Programs of Choice Location Updates
(Glen Early French Immersion, Banting Late French Immersion, and Pitt River Late French Immersion).
Winslow Centre Gym, 1100 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam
Smiling Creek Elementary School Catchment Area
Thursday, November 30, 2017
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Leigh Elementary Gym, 1230 Soball Street, Coquitlam
Information will be provided on the proposed catchment area, student registration process, and details on students transferring or remaining in their current school.