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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10a Delegation Ada Hallet re School Closures06/22/2000 09:49 16137894443 YORK STREET P.S. PAGE 02 PRESENTATION TO THE OTTAWA-CARL ETON SCHOOL BOARD FACT SHEET FOR MONDAY, JUNE 2Em, 2000 YORK STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL, 310 "YORK ST., OTTAWA Fork Street School is an older school (1921) in an impressive building, that is structurally sound., It serves the educational needs of a diverse student population drawn from Lowertown, Vanier, New FAnburgh, Lindenlea1 and Sandy Hill_ We have a large number of ESL students, 40% of the student population, representing about 25 countries. We also have a large number of low - income families. This is a neighbourhood with special needs for whom a local school is particularly important. York is a school that accommodates students with high needs, whether economic, social or educational. We are worried about how the closing of York will impact our fragile community. At present, 85% of the students can walk to school, and many live quite close to the school. Parents are able to be active in their children's education because their school is so close. Parents whose first language is not English have many opportunities to improve their English when they have regular contact with their neighbourhood school. There is an afternoon Sewing Club, and a LINC English Program (with childcare) for parents (funded by the Liberal Government). The Homework Club meets after school twice a week, and would be unavailable if children relied on school bussing. Parents have been told of the options put forth by the Board in the event that York Street School would be closed. Parents have agreed that the options to send their children to Centennial, former McNabb, or Lady Evelyn are undesirable because the schools are too far away. Bussing children across the city during rush hour would also cause problems. Parents would no longer have regular contact with their children's school because they lack the transportation and funds to travel across the city. The ultimate result would be a fractured community and little involvement in their children's education. At present, many children go home for hmch, something they would no longer be able to do. Parents believe that "extensive renovations" are not needed to keep York open and feel that some people are targeting their school because of its' age. Parents feel the neighbourhood would suffer if the school moved The school is the focus and hub of the neighbourhood and if you look on the school map, you will sce it is the only English school in Lowertown The only other school in Loweru)wn is a small French Catholic School next to York. The loss of our school and the loss of our large yard for playtime would be a great loss for Lowertow^a Submitted by: Ada Hallett, Chair, York Street School Council June 22"o, 2000 f.