Lady Evelyn Alternative School Council

Board staff have released a report to trustees recommending that the Alternative Program be wound down (http://www.ocdsb.ca/Documents/Board_Meetings/Meetings/2010/January_2010/Ed_Jan19_2010/7a_Report_10_002.pdf).
As with the staff recommendation to close Rideau High School, this is not a done deal. Trustees will have the final say, starting with the Education Committee next Tuesday Evening at 7:00 p.m.

Superintendent Adams was on the radio on Tuesday making two misleading statements:

The Alternative Program Review final report (with recommendations) has been released by board staff.

The short version is that they are closing the program down. They are calling it "removing the designation" because they don't believe the alternative schools are meaningfully different. As below, the "designation" won't be removed until a boundary or accommodation review is conducted involving a specific school. No timeline is given for any such reviews.

This event is focused on ensuring sure that downtown communities specifically are provided a targeted opportunity to have good input into the upcoming OCDSB budget decisions to come. The Board is facing a significant shortfall for next year, several cut options are out for consultation and we genuinely want to consult with the community. www.ocdsbdowntowntrustees.ca
  Our event will feature OCDSB CFO Michael Clarke and be facilitated by CBC TVs Adrian Harewood.

Dear parents and/or guardians,

A small group of children in grades 1 to 6 have attended meetings during recess and snack times to organize a video being made about the alternative program in Lady Evelyn.

We will be filming a normal day in the school of Lady Evelyn. We want to show the video to people who are curious about Lady Evelyn and the program.

Thanks for reading.

To do

*Show your support for the program by attending the December 15th school board meeting (8pm at 133 Greenbank Rd). Wear an orange shirt or pick up one of our great stickers.

*It's not too late to write a letter about your experience with the alternative program. Letters will be accepted at the board's email address for the review (elementary_alternative_review@ocdsb.ca) into January.

There have been a lot of letters from parents, some students and other interested parties sent to the school board in support of the alternative program. Unfortunately, there haven't been very many coming from Lady Evelyn parents and students lately. It is vital that the board understand the importance of the program to each of the different alternative school communities.

 Please take some time soon, perhaps this weekend, to write a letter. Encourage your child, and any siblings who are alternative students or alumni, to write a letter too. Talk about why the alternative program specifically, or public school choice more generally, are important to you. If you have personal experience with the differences between the board's program offerings, mention those as well.

 You can also encourage friends and family to write. This review is about the alternative program, but the ramifications will influence the amount of choice all parents seeking public education in Ottawa have.

 Some ideas for letter writing are posted here: http://www.ladyevelyn.ca/node/242 and here: http://www.churchillnews.ca/ 

 
Are you trainable?
 
 
Can you add and/or subtract?
 
 
Are you currently breathing?
 
 
If you answered yes to at least two of these questions you are eligible to contribute your services as a math tutor to students at Lady Evelyn who are in need.  
 
 JUMP math is a methodology that has proven to be highly beneficial to struggling math students.  It focuses on basic elements of math, starting with fractions.  It is significantly different from the methodology used in many current textbooks, yet arrives at the same ends.  The necessary materials are all provided, as is training in how to use them in a one on one setting.  The tutoring program has been ongoing at Lady Evelyn for a number of years and testimonials can be provided that speak to its effectiveness.  The program is even being used classwide by a number of teachers.

The October newsletter is attached.  Paper copies of the newsletter will be going home with the children in the next few days.

School Board Survey

As part of the program review, the school board is surveying parents about the seven principles of the alternative program. You should have received a letter from the school board describing the survey.

The program review update and discussion evening on Thursday, September 24th was very successful. Thanks to all of you who attended. There will be further meetings as the review progresses.

Part of the purpose of Thursday's discussion evening was to generate practical ways by which we can all participate in the review process. The following list is a starting point.

What can I do right now?