'Smooth, gentle' transition for boundary, program changes, says OCDSB

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board recommendations released June 1 affect attendance boundaries and programs at six elementary schools. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /Postmedia

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The recommendations released June 1 affect attendance boundaries and programs at six elementary schools, including Churchill Alternative, Hilson Avenue, Broadview Avenue, Fisher Park/Summit Alternative, Elmdale and Woodroffe Avenue.

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None of the schools will be closed.

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The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board said there are three key revisions in the plan, based on community feedback:

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First, students won’t have to relocate, the OCDSB said in a statement.

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“In direct response to the community’s desire for continuity, current students enrolled in the affected schools are fully grandfathered. They will not be required to change schools and will remain with their peers until graduation.”

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Second, there is an expanded “sibling legacy provision.” The original plan recommended that only students entering  junior kindergarten in 2027 could register at the same school as an older sibling. Under the revised plan, the sibling allowance is extended to all younger siblings, regardless of their age or start year, provided the family stays in the original catchment area.

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The plan released June 1 also ensures transportation for younger siblings, as long as they meet the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) eligibility requirements.

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Third, there will be a “smooth, gentle” transition.

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“To ensure a stable and sustainable change, boundary and program adjustments will be introduced gradually, starting only with the kindergarten cohort in September 2027,” said the OCDSB.

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Hilson Avenue Public School currently offers English and middle French immersion. Hilson will introduce an early French immersion program to become a dual-tracked site. The early French immersion rollout at Hilson will be accelerated by one year. To accommodate the early Grade 1 rollout, temporary “transitional” early French immersion boundaries will be created for Elmdale Public School and Hilson from 2027 to 2033.

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Churchill is currently an alternative school. For families with children currently in junior kindergarten at Broadview or Elmdale with a home address that is moved inside the Churchill boundary, there will be a one-time choice of staying at the current school or moving to Churchill for senior kindergarten in 2027.

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The existing Churchill alternative attendance boundary will be retired gradually to avoid affecting students currently enrolled in the program, while the early French immersion program will be phased in simultaneously. Students who are currently in junior kindergarten at Churchill will complete senior kindergarten in 2027, and will have the option of enrolling in early French immersion at Churchill or moving to their designated English school based on their home address.