GCA asks OCDSB to keep Lady Evelyn alternative program, Please see LADY EVELYN on page 11
Posted Feb 12, 2010 By Desmond Devoy
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Tweet ThisEMC News - The Glebe Community Association (GCA) has endorsed sending a letter asking the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) to continue on the alternative education program at the Lady Evelyn school, 63 Evelyn Avenue in Old Ottawa East.
"Our committee feels really strongly about choice in education...the concept of choice is an important one to get behind," said Christine McAllister, head of the GCA's newly formed education committee, during her first-ever education report to the GCA board during their monthly meeting at the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue on the evening of Tuesday, January 26. "A lot of Glebe kids go to Lady Evelyn," and a member of Lady Evelyn's parent council now sits on the GCA's education committee.
McAllister stated that if the alternative program across the canal was scrapped, it could have a negative impact on some Glebe schools, with students returning to the area.
"First Avenue (Public School) is over-capacity by 120 students," said McAllister. "It would be a real problem."
But she conceded that more students returning to The Glebe "would be good for Mutchmor because they have a lot more space."
Former GCA President June Creelman however argued for a more focused support of the program at Lady Evelyn, as opposed to a more general support for the board-wide program.
"Sometimes, choice can be divisive with communities," said Creelman. "I'd rather not take a broad, principled stand. We haven't talked about the pros and cons of it."
McAllister explained that the alternative education program takes "a different learning approach...(which is) more child-centred learning, less focused on grades."
In the event that the program is closed at Lady Evelyn, "it will revert to being a neighbourhood school," and "the best practises from Lady Evelyn (would) be rolled out to other schools," said McAllister.
Jeff Hall, who sits on Hopewell Public School's council in Old Ottawa South, has been involved in consultations on the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's (OCDSB) budget. He told the assembled that the OCDSB was looking at a budget shortfall of between $10 and $30 million this year, and that they were looking at $14 million in possible cuts.
"The board is going to be facing cuts," Hall said, with about $360,000 in savings if the alternative education program is cut, primarily from the savings in bussing.
Hall enquired as to "how many of our Glebe area students are in that program?"
"I don't know the number of Glebe students," who attend Lady Evelyn, admitted McAllister.
"There is no indication that there will be a decrease in enrollment if the program is shut," added Hall. "In my understanding...there were only five schools that were slated for shut down," as a result of any changes to the alternative education program.
"Lady Evelyn would be allowed to continue to operate its alternative program until an Accomodation Review Committee," was struck to examine the issue, said McAllister.
The discussion stemmed from an earlier meeting by McAllister's education meeting, its first-ever. The meeting attracted representation from Glebe Collegiate Institute, Lady Evelyn, Mutchmor Public School, and First Avenue Public School. While the committee had yet to get a hold of parents or staff from Corpus Christi Catholic School and Immaculata High School in Old Ottawa East, they hoped to have them out to their next meeting.
McAllister heard from Pat Kulka, the Principal at Glebe Collegiate Institute (GCI), and "she encourages people to call the police if they see kids doing drugs." While Kulka said she would "deal with" kids doing or selling drugs on her school's property, Kulka was seeking the help of the community in letting kids know that there would be a price to pay.
"People are afraid to do that because they fear repercussions. But if they don't report it, that won't stop it," said McAllister.
Another concern at GCI is inadequate parking. The school has 135 teachers but only 100 parking spots.
"Maybe we could brainstorm some solutions for them?" wondered McAllister, perhaps setting the stage for a future discussion at the next committee meeting.
ddevoy@thenowemc.ca
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