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Home My WebLink About12 Year End Report from Student Trustees 2001-2002• m'_j OTTAWA CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD A REPORT BY STUDENT TRUSTEES TREVOR ROBINSON & EMMA COHEN MONDAY, JUNE 109 2002 Opening: This report was made based on information collected as a result of tours of all 24 high schools in the Ottawa - Carleton District Board over the course of the 2001 -2002 school year. We are students, as well as student trustees, and it is for this reason that we bring this forward because the condition of a school is of concern for its students. This report only applies to Secondary Schools, and only those that hold the regular day school program, ie. not Sir Guy Carleton, not Ottawa Technical Learning Centre, not Adult, nor any of the alternative sites. OCDSB, Overall: School Exteriors: The exteriors of our schools need help, be it the building, or the general campus Fields need attention, bricks need fixing, steps need repairing, and chimneys need to be repaired in order to prevent parts of them from falling. Windows need replacing, not patching. Security lights need bulbs, parking lots need repair, and lawns & trees need general maintenance. Fire Safety: Equipment in schools for fighting fires is there, sometimes intact, sometimes not, and sometimes not there at all. Fire extinguishers are in some cases de- pressurized, or missing the nozzles. Fire hoses are in some cases, missing the entire hose. And many fire exit signs are with bulbs that no longer work. In some portables, the door does not open, as well, there is metal grating over the windows. While on a tour of one school, the fire alarm went off twice, in the period of 15 minutes, and had already gone off twice before the tour, all as a result of the system not working properly. Cleanliness: Our schools are dirty. Not because of a lack of effort on the part of our custodial staff because they always do an excellent job. But, without enough help or proper supplies, there is only so much that physically can be done. Ventilation: Proper air circulation is needed in all classrooms, especially in science, and computer labs, as well as in auto and wood shops to name a few. Ductwork needs to be cleaned, in all school, especially those that have had recent renovations. In many schools, there is black dirt around the vents, and the question is often asked, "What's in the ducts ?" Textbooks, and classroom supplies: Simply put, there aren't enough! Computers: There are not enough working computers in schools. Some schools have just recently rid themselves of "486" computers, at a time when computers are being released with 1.8 GhZ processors and higher. Lighting: (W Some parts of schools are dark, and have a dull feeling to them, while others have lights that are too bright and actually hurt the eyes. In most cases there are not enough light bulbs where they're needed. Gyms: Our gym floors need some attention. While schools have beautiful hardwood floors, they have been neglected. Many gym floors either have holes in them, or the finish is peeling, or in some cases, both. Protective mats on the walls of gyms have also fallen into disrepair, either with rips in them, or the mat is on the floor instead of the wall. Auditoriums: Not all schools have an "Auditorium "... they should. Auditoriums with proper equipment, a well built stage, and enough seating for all students /staff, are an invaluable asset to the school, and to the board. Instead of having up to 6 assemblies as a result of not having an auditorium, schools would be able to have one assembly for the whole school therefore reducing the amount of lost class time. With having an Auditorium, classes such as Drama, have the ability to perform and rehearse in a setting the same as if in the "real world." P.A. Systems: School P.A. Systems, the ones used for morning announcements, O Canada, etc. need upgrading. In many schools the speakers used are no longer able to provide quality sound, and O Canada for instance, is distorted. Does this do our national anthem justice? School Interiors (Walls, floors, etc.) The walls in our schools are damaged; everything from a small crack, to a hole large enough for a person to fit in. Building materials used in new school construction, or renovations, are not able to survive in a school, nor in any other setting. It would make sense to spend that little extra to build with materials that will last, but then, we have no money anyway, so what difference would that make? In schools that have settled since they were built there are now cracks in floors, some are level with the floor, while others have resulted in an uneven surface, which is tripping hazard. Our schools are water damaged, be it small or large, it's there. Although the surface is usually fixed with a coat of paint, what damage has been done below the surface? Many ceilings, and walls have turned brown due to water damage. Once the damage done is fixed, then our schools need a fresh coat of paint, walls, and lockers for example. Our schools as compared to those in other boards: By now almost everyone knows of the announcement of an additional $13 million to be given to the Upper Canada District School Board by the provincial government to build a school to replace Smith Falls & District Collegiate Institute. That school was built in 1952, and since then has had numerous additions. In the area around the main entrance there are structural supports that have been added for the stability of that part of the building. But other than that, the school is not unlike those in the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board. The paint is still chipping, there is still water damage. One key point is the fact that the school has had many renovations, and upgrades over the years, unlike the schools in the OCDSB. The drama room, and the stage in the cafeteria have new lighting. The walls have been painted, except for some areas, and many classrooms have new windows. Student / Staff Relations: Student Leaders, and School Administrations no longer have the once successful working relationships that they used to have. With added workload on staff, there is less time to meet with student to discuss events, or even to approve them. In some schools, the administrators have simply capped the amount of events that students have in a school year. With less support to students for events, student and staff morale are dwindling. With the new curriculum being implemented and the "Double Cohort" coming up, high morale is key. Although schools are a place to learn and to work they still must have a positive environment. Otherwise it is harder to learn and to teach. School is more than a classroom, it's a community, without the community working together, it can't reach its full potential. If students aren't able to reach their full potential, is this education system doing them justice? RECOMMENDATIONS: A) That the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board thoroughly examine all secondary school sites. B) That the Chair write the Minister of Education requesting additional funding above and beyond the GLG'S in areas such as, but not limited to: - textbooks, and other classroom resources - facilities maintenance - facilities renewal C) That school administrations be directed to work more closely with student leaders to allow for an increase in student, and staff morale. D) That in future construction of secondary schools: i) more durable materials be used ii) students be a part of the design process