Staff Recommend Program Closure: Time to Speak Up
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:
- That, like new surgical techniques, our best practices have been adopted across the board. If you know the program, you know this is not true. Nor do you shut down your centres for innovation just because they have had some success.
- That current alternative schools will be able to maintain their practices as English or French Immersion schools, if they have the support of the principal. Of course, new principals are appointed all the time and many are not familiar or supportive of the Alternative principles. Councils will have no recourse to complain if a principal introduces non-Alternative practices. As well, the shut-down will involve boundary changes which, combined with the new transfer policy, will break up the school community and bring in families that are not supportive of our practices.
We have analyzed the board report and found serious omissions and logic flaws in it. This, along with ASAC's own "Minority Report" will be delivered to trustees at next Tuesday's Education Committee meeting. They are available here:
http://programreview.asac-ottawa.org/recommendations What Can I do?
- Write a letter to trustees. They will be making the final decision. A list of email addresses can be found here: http://programreview.asac-ottawa.org/gettinginvolved
We have a list of points that you can use for your letter here: http://programreview.asac-ottawa.org/boardReportAnalysis
You can pick one or two from the list and base your letter on this. The letters don't have to be long, but make sure they are personal. - Sign the Petition, and get your friends and neighbours to as well.
The petition simply states:
We, the undersigned, urge the Trustees of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board to preserve and strengthen the Alternative Elementary Program.
The goal is to show trustees that we have significant support outside of just Alternative parents. Downloadable templates are available here: http://programreview.asac-ottawa.org/petition . Please return to your school council by Monday January 25th. They will be presented to trustees at the board meeting on Tuesday January 26th at (or just after) 8:00 P.M. - Come to the Education Committee meeting on the 19th.
The agenda and details are here: http://www.ocdsb.ca/Documents/Board_Meetings/Meetings/2010/January_2010/Ed_Jan19_2010/Ed_Jan19_2010.asp We have suggested to the board that they move this meeting to the larger board room. Please wear orange. We also have posters, stickers and bumper stickers that will be available at the meeting. Or you can print your own from the templates here: http://programreview.asac-ottawa.org/node/78 - Come to the Board Meeting on January 26th.
This is likely where trustees will make their final decision. Same rules as above apply. - Record a video message. (http://pages.overlay.tv/asac/) Your kids can too.
- Join our Facebook page: "Alternative Schools in Ottawa: More Choices"
- Join our mailing list "prac@asac-ottawa.org"