06/17/2009

Decision Day: HDSB Decision TODAY

School Board to decide fate of 6 elementary schools in

South East Oakville TODAY!


Wednesday June 17th, 2009 @ 7:00pm
2050 Guelph Line, Burlington

Please Plan to attend this important Board meeting to learn the fat of our schools. A strong community turn out is needed to show the Trustees we are committted to a fair decision that is educataionally sound, fiscally responsible and community supported.

Your opinion matters, please email the Trustees, MPP Kevin Flynn and the Minister of Education. (Click through options are available at

http://www.myoakville.org)

If you can't attend, follow the decision on Twitter. ORPE will be tweeting live from the school board meeting, providing updates on the website.  To follow the tweet, please register / sign-in to myoakville.org.  You must log-in then a Twitter Updates will appear above the Weather icon.   Simply click refresh for the latest updates.

On Monday, June 15, 2009, 42 groups and individuals presented delegations to Trustees of the Halton District School Board on the Admin. Council's report, 09109 before a standing room only crowd of over 100 people.

Twenty-three groups spoke in favour of the staff recommendation to close 3 schools and retain 3 schools in SE Oakville on Monday. These groups together represented almost 18,000 residents.  These groups representing almost 18,000 residents, included: Oakville Residents for Public Education, Executive of Linbrook Parents Council, Oakville Lakeside Residents Association, EJ James Parent Council, Executive of Linbrook Parents Council, Chartwell-Maple Grove Residents Association, Brantwood School Council, Trafalgar Chartwell Residents Association, Chisolm School Council, Joshua Creek Residents Association, and New Central School Council

Many speakers spoke of supporting the recommendation on the cornerstone of the Cooke's report statement that public education is a partnership between parents, community and school board.  It was every group's hope that a positive decision will move the board and community forward and build upon the outstanding educational results already demonstrated in our community.

Approximately, 13 delegations from Clearview & COCA opposed the recommendation, requesting either a return to the July 2nd decision or the elimination of single track French Immersion programming in SE Oakville to allow for 137 French Immersion students to be bussed to Clearview

 It is an interesting position from a community that is directly benefiting from the construction of a brand new school, which is a cash-flow positive option only because the Board will close at least three schools south of Cornwall Road.  But closing 3 schools is clearly not enough for this group. 

Five or six individuals spoke from the Maple Grove community, advocating for the Hybrid 3B option, partially on the research discounted by the report on transitions, and partially on a false claim that students would otherwise have to attend "old run down schools".  This option is also problematic as the school in the West (New Central) will not be sustainable in the long term, thus returning us to another PARC or a 2 school model rejected by the community and Facilitator David Cooke.

It is time for our community to rally behind the decision and further the educational excellence in our community.  As David Cooke stated,

An alternative to continued division and conflict would be in the best interest of the students.

I encourage the Board, the Petitioners and the Clearview community to step back and consider what could be done to lead to a consensus for both Clearview and SE Oakville. This consensus must put the interest of students first. 

The Clearview community should accept their new school and find a solution within Clearview.  A Clearview school satisfies the many years of requests from Clearview for a Clearview school for their community.  Let's not compound one Board failure with another by reverse busing.  Another delegate suggested, the Board should build a 350 student school that would accommodate the English track students in Clearview and continue to bus the 90 French Immersion students to the centrally located French Immersion school in Ward 3.

One delegation from the Milton  area challenged the Board's recommendation on the basis of financial gain to the Board for building in other areas of Halton.  They suggested the Board would be better served, with one of the original options that could be up to 10 million dollars cash positive.  If it was strictly a dollars and cents issue, there would be no reason to build a new school in Clearview at all. We call on our Trustee to ensure that the proceeds of disposition are used to improve education and facilities for students in Ward 3.

This current report's recommendation, while imperfect, is the best opportunity to satisfy the majority of stakeholders -- there is no solution that will satisfy 100% of the stakeholders.  However, the Board has determined it is educationally sound, financially responsible and has the support of the majority of the community.  It fits the blueprint of the Cooke report.

06/10/2009

Community Rally for NO Power Plant in the Clarkson Airshed

Community Rally: NO Power Plant in the Clarkson Airshed: Wed. June 24 Print E-mail

There will be an Outdoor Community Rally on Wed. June 24 @ 7:00 pm (details below) regarding the issue of a gas-fired power plant being located within the Clarkson Airshed, which affects South Mississauga and SE Oakville.  Mayor Hazel McCallion This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it will be attending the Rally to speak to the community and formally receive copies of all the Petition forms in order to go to Premier Dalton McGuinty This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it on this issue with the strong support of the community.  Local politicians attending include Ward 2 Councillor Pat Mullin This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and Mississauga South MPP Charles Sousa This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and MP Paul Szabo This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , along with other community representatives (TBA).

Northland Power-The second Round

Northland Power Second Public Meeting

Northland Power, the proponent for the site on Royal Windsor Dr. near Avonhead Rd in Mississauga will be the first to hold their second public meeting. They will be presenting the findings of their environmental review.

The meeting will take place at Otello's Banquet Hall at 2273 Royal Windsor Dr, just west of Ford Dr on Thursday June 11 from 4p to 9pm.

Next up on the school issue: Delegation Evening June 15th

The Halton Districut School Board has indicated public delegations on the Director's report for Ward 3 will be on June 15th, 2009.

Those wishing to delegate must register with Gail Gortmaker, gortmakerg@hdsb.ca This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , before Wednesday June 10th at noon.  A written submission of your delegation must be supplied by noon Thursday June 11th.

Oakville Residents for Public Education continues to support the Director's recommendation as it meets the majority of the main themes from the survey:

  • Minimized busing, in particular no busing before Grade 9 across Royal Windsor Drive / Cornwall Road.
  • Keep 3 schools south of Cornwall/Royal Windsor Drive.
  • One (1) of those 3 schools be designated single track French Immersion and preferrably Grades 1 to 6.
  • Geographic balance south of Cornwall/RoyalWindsor Drive with one (1) school in each area: East, Central and West.
  • Grade's 7 &8 clustered together in sufficient numbers to provide greater depth of program.
  • All schools that remain open to be upgraded/renovated and resourced equally.
  • Decided preference for walk-to schools.

The issue of geographic balance was brought up by the Trustees at the June 3rd board meeting.  We believe the recommendation is consistent with geographic balance, when you consider the distribution of students south of Cornwall.  Most students in Ward 3 will have a walk-to school for part of their education.

  • Chisholm area -- walk to for Grades JK-6
    Maple Grove area -- walk to for Grades 7-12 English, walk to for French Immersion Grades 1-12
  • New Central area -- walk to for Grades JK-6

An alternate 3b was discussed,  proposed by Joudrie

A detailed comparison is available at www.myoakville.org

Joshua Creek Residents Association is Back !

Revitalized, Reorganized and Renewed....


The Joshua Creek Residents Association is back

Visit our new and improved website where you can join JCRI online AND sign the Power Plant Petition

(see the JCRI link above)


			

06/05/2009

Important Public Meeting June 4th at OTHS

A message from Oakville Residents for Public Education for those that care about the SE Community

We are very close to good news for South East Oakville residents but we really need your help.

Your visible and vocal Support is needed.

Please make every effort to attend HDSB's final public meeting on the recently released South East Oakville school closure recommendations.

When and where

Oakville Trafalgar High School

Cafeteria
7:00pm
Thursday, June 4, 2009



 

This Thursday at 7:00 pm, HDSB Director of Education, Mr. Wayne Joudrie, will present the HDSB Administrative Council's recommendations on school closure to the public.  This will be our last chance for interested members of the community to hear directly from Board staff on this issue and ask questions about matters of concern.

We are very proud of our success as a community thus far but ….it is vital that the community stay involved in the process at this critical stage.  We urge All members of the community to attend the meeting and show their support for the Board's recommendations.

This is not just an issue for those with children in public schools in SE Oakville

.

It’s an important issue for all those who want their community to stay vibrant, green and “livable”.
 
We support the staff's recommendation to:

Renovate and reconfigure Chisholm, Maple Grove and New Central as the 3 elementary schools for South East Oakville

Here’s why we like the recommendation:

This recommendation is a significant improvement over last July's Board decision to retain only two large schools in South East Oakville.

This recommendation is sensitive to community values, geographically balanced and educationally sound.  It meets key community objectives, including minimizing bussing, walk-to schools, no bussing across Royal Windsor/Cornwall Road and single track French Immersion programming at the elementary level.

We believe that the staff's recommendations represent the only realistic path for the Board and the community to move forward in a positive partnership, and to bring an end to years of conflict and uncertainty.

And here’s why you need to attend:

We believe, with these recommendations there is an opportunity for the whole Ward 3 community to come together and speak with one voice.   This opportunity must now be seized.  We are hopeful that all interested parties can see their interest in endorsing the staff's recommendations.  We are concerned with what may happen if these recommendations are not accepted and community strife and division continues.

The staff recommendations still require approval by the Board's Trustees later this month, Wednesday June 17, 2009.  In the interim, we need to demonstrate our support for the recommendations to the Director and Trustees at this week's public meeting.  NOW is the time to stay involved, and to invest an hour of your time in supporting the future of public education in our community.

And here’s what else you can do:


In addition to attending the public meeting, you can show our support by emailing Director Joudrie, the Halton District School Board, MPP Kevin Flynn and myoakille.org.  Let them know you support the staff recommendations.

Details of the recommendation and report and sample letters of support can be found at www.myoakville.org

We really need to see you on Thursday OR we need you to send your support by way of an email.

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Hope to see you there!

05/31/2009

New School Board Recommendation is Released!

Halton District School Board recommends 3 schools for SE Oakville

(New Central, Maple Grove & Chisholm)


On Friday, May 29, 2009, the Halton District School Board released its recommendations to resolve program accommodation (school closure) issues in Ward 3.  In addition to a school in Clearview (JK-8 dual track) to serve the students of that community, the Board recommended retaining three schools in SE Oakville:

  • Chisholm: JK - 6 English
  • Maple Grove: 1-8 French Immersion; 7/8 English
  • New Central:  JK-6 English

The Board's report can be found at www.myoakville.org

The Board also released its timeline for public consultation and decision-making:

  • June 3rd               Report presented to Trustees at regular board meeting
  • June 4th               Public Meeting at OT High School, 7:00pm in the cafeteria
  • June 15th             Delegation evening at the Board
  • June 17th             Trustees to consider the recommendations and vote

 Accommodation issues (school closure) in SE Oakville (Ward 3) have been a negative distraction and a source of instability for almost two decades.  It is time to resolve these issues.  The Board's recommendations provide a framework for success for all of Ward 3.

Oakville Residents for Public Education (O.R.P.E.) is issuing a press release expressing support for the recommendations and commending the Board's staff for crafting a  solution for all of Ward 3, from Clearview to the Lake.  The Board's recommendations are educationally sound, recognize the values of community, and meet Ministry of Education policy.

The recommendations are geographically balanced, thus reducing the need for student bussing by almost one third.  This is good for the community, the Board's finances and the environment. 

Residents of SE Oakville will be concerned about the decision to close 3 of the elementary schools south of Cornwall Road, including Brantwood, Linbrook and EJ James.  The recommendations provide a solid foundation for public education in the community,  retains geographic balance, maintains single track French Immersion and provides flexibility for future growth.

We will be looking to the Town of Oakville to step in to preserve community green spaces and facilities when the Board disposes of surplus properties.

We urge the Trustees to follow the lead of the Administrative Council, and create a true partnership between the Ward 3 community and Board.  This proposed solution will allow the Ward 3 community to move forward in a positive direction. 

We look forward to moving the focus of attention to educational programming and the success and support of the remaining schools.

See you the meetings!

New School Board Recommendation is Released!

Halton District School Board recommends 3 schools for SE Oakville

(New Central, Maple Grove & Chisholm)


On Friday, May 29, 2009, the Halton District School Board released its recommendations to resolve program accommodation (school closure) issues in Ward 3.  In addition to a school in Clearview (JK-8 dual track) to serve the students of that community, the Board recommended retaining three schools in SE Oakville:

  • Chisholm: JK - 6 English
  • Maple Grove: 1-8 French Immersion; 7/8 English
  • New Central:  JK-6 English

The Board's report can be found at www.myoakville.org

The Board also released its timeline for public consultation and decision-making:

  • June 3rd               Report presented to Trustees at regular board meeting
  • June 4th               Public Meeting at OT High School, 7:00pm in the cafeteria
  • June 15th             Delegation evening at the Board
  • June 17th             Trustees to consider the recommendations and vote

 Accommodation issues (school closure) in SE Oakville (Ward 3) have been a negative distraction and a source of instability for almost two decades.  It is time to resolve these issues.  The Board's recommendations provide a framework for success for all of Ward 3.

Oakville Residents for Public Education (O.R.P.E.) is issuing a press release expressing support for the recommendations and commending the Board's staff for crafting a  solution for all of Ward 3, from Clearview to the Lake.  The Board's recommendations are educationally sound, recognize the values of community, and meet Ministry of Education policy.

The recommendations are geographically balanced, thus reducing the need for student bussing by almost one third.  This is good for the community, the Board's finances and the environment. 

Residents of SE Oakville will be concerned about the decision to close 3 of the elementary schools south of Cornwall Road, including Brantwood, Linbrook and EJ James.  The recommendations provide a solid foundation for public education in the community,  retains geographic balance, maintains single track French Immersion and provides flexibility for future growth.

We will be looking to the Town of Oakville to step in to preserve community green spaces and facilities when the Board disposes of surplus properties.

We urge the Trustees to follow the lead of the Administrative Council, and create a true partnership between the Ward 3 community and Board.  This proposed solution will allow the Ward 3 community to move forward in a positive direction. 

We look forward to moving the focus of attention to educational programming and the success and support of the remaining schools.

See you the meetings!

05/26/2009

Clarkson Airshed Study-Public Meeting-May 28(Thursday)

04/13/2009

Reminder-Important Public Open House April 14-Oakville Generating Station

This is a reminder that the first public meeting about the 900 megawatt power plan proposed for Royal

Windsor and

Maple Grove

is tomorrow night

The open house is from 4 pm until 8 pm at the Holiday Inn on Argus Road

It’s important that we gather a large crowd.

 More information can be found attached to this notice

Plans are also in the works for a petition that I will keep you updated on

 

 Download Oakville Generating Station Info