Race and Elitism: Realities of a School Swap

After our last blog post addressing the socio-economic realities of a swap between LaVerendrye School and Earl Grey School, in response to a Maclean's magazine article, a dedicated Earl Grey parent posted this insight on social media that needs to be shared:

I was thinking last night about the whole "Race and poverty have nothing to do with it" tweet that was circulating. I would disagree. I think that race and poverty do have something to do with this. Stereotypically I don't think painting EG with a "poor dumb folks" brush is fair, but there's more to it than meets the eye.

One issue that I think we can all agree on is that WSD has been managing the situation of overcrowding poorly. However, with WSD the squeaky wheel gets the grease, right? Isn't that how all bureaucracies work? Who was the squeaky wheel in the situation of overcrowding and the potential "swap"? Those that know how to advocate for themselves, work the system, and challenge the authority are going to get the attention they demand. That those that feel something is owed to them are the ones who get what they want at the expense of others?

Does a single woman, recently from South Sudan with a grade 8 education have the same awareness and ability to exercise her rights here in Winnipeg as compared to a white man with a partner, English as a first language, lived in Canada all his life, with a Master's degree? It has already been identified that EG community has a higher percentage of single parent families, EAL families, Aboriginal students, parents who have not achieved higher education. Does a single parent have the same ability to show up at a meeting as compared to the adult in a two parent home? Does a person with English as a second language have the same accessibility to the survey as a person who's first language is English? Write an articulate letter to the board? Speak up at a town hall meeting? The problem doesn't lie with those who cannot access the same level of advocacy. The system where the "squeaky wheel gets the grease" that essentially works for the benefit of the more affluent, more demanding, more articulate, those with an elitist attitude is the problem. This has to be addressed and has to be removed.

Not Just Brick's and Mortar, It is Socio-Economics as Well

Part of the argument proponents of a school swap between LaVerendrye and Earl Grey School's are putting forward is that these buildings that house our schools are merely bricks and mortar and if Earl Grey School moves to the LaVerendrye site, we will adapt nicely in our new surroundings and continue to do well.

Unfortunately, this ignores many realities of a swap which are that in the process Earl Grey School would lose our Jr. High programming, as well as being taken well over a half of a kilometre away from access to the Earl Grey Children's Center and the Earl Grey Community Center.

Why is this problematic? Part of the reason is because of the demographics of our school and the socio-economic realities that Earl Grey families and students face. A recent article in Maclean's magazine titles 'Just say ‘non’: The problem with French immersion' did an excellent job of tackling the issue, in a round-a-bout way. One part of the article focusing on the issue facing Earl Grey is as follows:

“Earl Grey, demographically, is poor,” Wasyliw says, adding it has a lot of students from single-parent families and a high Aboriginal population. It houses a nursery, and there is a community centre next door for at-risk youth. “We move, we lose that proximity to the [community] centre,” says Darryl Balasko, the parent advisory council chair at Earl Grey.

Now, some at the Earl Grey, understandably, wish the school had not been categorized as poor. We have a diverse range of students. However, the fact is that many of Earl Grey's students face challenges and hardships more so than we see occurring in the more affluent French-immersion, or in this case French Milieu schools like LaVerendrye, which have become, according to the article, more elite schools for wealthier children and families.

According to the Winnipeg School Division, 40 percent of students at Earl Grey School come from single parent families. Furthermore, 24.6 percent students were BELOW the low income cut off. Aboriginal families make up 19.6 percent of the population, and could be as high as 35 percent when Aboriginal students living with non-Aboriginal families are factored in. Additionally, Earl Grey is home to a 18.5 percent immigrants from a range of countries.

The truth is, based on Winnipeg School Division's OWN FINDINGS, Earl Grey School has a vulnerable student population, and they will be HIT THE HARDEST by a school swap. One swap advocate took exception to the Maclean's article arguing:

Unfortunately, she is wrong on both accounts. Race and poverty do play a role here, and as a result it is very much an "Us" vs "Them" situation. Moving at risk kids away from the Earl Grey Community Centre and it's lunchtime and afterschool programming is going to hit them hard. They will be left without the facilities that students and families have come to rely on to help them manage, and to keep kids in a safe, stable, productive environment.

Furthermore, Earl Grey families rely on the Earl Grey Children's Centre for it's programming. Unfortunately, EGCC is ONLY licensed for the Earl Grey School site. That means that it cannot transfer to LaVerendrye. That is going to hit these low income families who rely on this service the hardest, with no reasonable alternative given.

The argument has been that the schools are close together, so students can travel between the schools to take advantage of these services. No. The schools are well over a half a kilometre apart, which is substantial, especially in the harsh winter months. There are no plans for any transportation opportunities for students between the two locations, which means kids, especially low income and at risk kids are taken away from the programs built for them by the Earl Grey Community Centre to give them a better life.

Furthermore, with the loss of Jr. High, we would have families scrambling to try and find a Jr. High program for kids to go to, with, once again, no promise of transportation or acceptance. Once again, this will be hardest for vulnerable and low income families. Not to mention that studies show that students of all demographics perform far better in Jr. High grades when they are combined with a grade school as opposed to being part of a High School environment, or on their own. And that will be particularly hard for Earl Grey's already at risk kids.

These loses will be devastating to the Earl Grey School community. These programs took years, and often decades to develop to suit the needs of Earl Grey's demographics. A swap would destroy all those years of work overnight. And those who will pay the highest price are the at risk, low income, Aboriginal and immigrant children and families that make up a good percentage of Earl Grey's population.

This isn't just about bricks and mortar. This is about vulnerable people in our community and a system that has been built for them that would be completely torn apart in the case of a swap. This is why we must fight against a swap. This is why we must fight to protect Earl Grey School. Stop the swap.

Countering the Infographic: What Swap Proponents Aren't Getting.

Recently, a handy infographic was released by proponents of a swap between Earl Grey and LaVerendrye School. Once again, we are facing information that needs to be countered to get the true story of the reality of a swap. And, once again, we are faced with the frustration of proponents either not understanding the complexities of a swap and/or sweeping Earl Grey's genuine concerns about severe loses and potential problems under the carpet. Either way, it is a slap in the face of the people who will be greatly affected by a possible swap.

The infographic is as follows:

First off, kudos to the creator of this infographic on the quality. It is a beautiful infographic. However, it only delivers part of the story, as these kinds of infographics do. Now, it appears to illustrate that a swap makes sense. But, no, it doesn't. What it does do is illustrate that LaVerendrye has a big problem, but in no way does it argue that a swap is the best way to deal with it. The reality is, this is about far more than just space. 

What it doesn't take into account is that the population of Earl Grey School is actually growing. Yes, growing. This piece of propaganda in no way acknowledges that Earl Grey School is increasing in size and popularity, and part of that reason is the programs that we have, many of which are in jeopardy as the result of a swap. At the moment Earl Grey School provides a complete Early Childhood Education to Grade 8 package which is part of the school's appeal. Important lunch and after school programming is also provided by the adjacent community center. Impacting these programs will hit the vulnerable, at-risk, low-income and single parent families in our community the most. And, of course, the termination of grade 7 and 8, which is part of this proposal, takes a chunk of our community away from Early Grey. We have no clue where our 7 and 8 kids will go or how they will get there at this moment. 

As well, you can see the Early Childhood Education spots mentioned in the infographic (as daycare space). Well, there is a reason there are 4 rooms being dedicated to this. The program is so popular that there is a waiting list for it. So, those rooms are hardly going to waste. And, what would be detrimental to Earl Grey families is that the Earl Grey Early Childhood Education Centre is ONLY licensed for the Earl Grey site. It is not a transferable license and even if the Centre wanted to move, we do not know exactly how big of an investment will be needed by them to create space in the LaVerendrye School site. So, this is an important resource that Earl Grey is set to lose. 

And, although proponents of a swap want to show that Earl Grey and LaVerendrye are not that far apart, keep in mind that it is over a half of a kilometre and much of the school year is in winter. If we are put into a situation where kids from Early Childhood Education who also attend classes need to be transferred between schools, the only option we have been provided with at the moment is a "walking school bus". A walking school bus? Someone is going to walk a group of 5 year old's in the dead of winter over a half of a kilometre between schools? Is this really an option? And are Earl Grey kids supposed to walk to the community centre at lunch to take part in the lunch program, or walk there for the after school program, again in the dead of winter? Over half a kilometre is a substantial enough distance that it will cut off many kids from these vital programs and create severe headaches for Earl Grey families. 

Now, there is something else that is very concerning about this graphic. If LaVerendrye school is so small, why would we want a growing school in Earl Grey to be stuck into it where growth opportunities are curtailed? How is that good for not only the Earl Grey community but the community as a whole? Bottom line, it isn't. It's taking away the potential that Earl Grey School has, putting it in somewhat the same position that LaVerendrye is in at the moment. And, if LaVerendrye School is continuing to grow, as we are told, then how long before Earl Grey no longer suits their needs? This has been pointed out time and time again throughout different posts in this blog. With dedicated rooms for music, library, computers, and others, plus class size limits mandated by the government, how long before there are space issues at the Earl Grey site for LaVerendrye. Then what? 

Furthermore, in no way does this infographic suggest that there are other options that would not end in the complete dismantling of Earl Grey. Once again, it is reflective only of a small group of LaVerendrye families who are pushing for a full swap and refuse to look at any other option. The community at LaVerendrye is deeply divided on this issue, which needs pointing out. And the fact of the matter is, this is NOT the only option on the table, even though it is being portrayed as such. This is but one option and it just happens to be the most destructive one for our whole community. Why anyone would push for the option with the most amount to lose for a big chunk of our community is beyond me. 

This infographic does not mention that one of the other options put forth to solve this issue is to create a second French milieu school in William Osler School which is EMPTY. And, if, as we keep being told, French milieu schools are so popular that they are making a school like LaVerendrye burst at the seems, wouldn't it make more sense to open a second school to allow for true growth and development, especially when there are reports that some within LaVerendrye would like to develop a grade 7 and 8 program? 

Now, if the Winnipeg School Division determines that the school has extra space, there are many other options to fill it, including a dual track French/English program that will help alleviate some of the overcrowding issues at LaVerendrye. We are aware that there are some LaVerendrye parents who think it is a good idea and would love to be part of. It is not as if Earl Grey families are completely inflexible here. We are open to many ideas, but we are against the one that will tear our school and our community apart.

In no way is it unreasonable to oppose a deal that is bad for our school and our community. There are other options. Focusing completely on a school swap as the answer is short sighted at best, and is causing frustration and division between not only Earl Grey and LaVerendrye school's but, increasingly, tension and division within LaVerendrye School. We are already suffering consequences from this swap, and it is only in the proposal stage. Imagine the division that would be created if this actually went through. No, in the end, a swap is the worst option overall for the greater community and the Earl Grey and LaVerendrye communities themselves despite how beautifully created this infographic is. 

Dispelling the Myth of a "School Swap" Precedent

There have been a number of frustrating aspects to the campaign in favour of a school swap between LaVerendrye School and Earl Grey School. Having to overcome false information, like claims to how many students Earl Grey School can hold, have been a tremendous challenge. Another is the sheer lack of respect shown by some of the proponents of the swap, which is becoming clear is NOT everyone at LaVerendrye, especially when it comes to understanding of just how much this swap will truly effect Earl Grey School. They have tried very hard to downplay our very real concerns and worse, very real loses and it is only adding to the division felt in the community as a whole between the two schools. 

A recent post on their blog illustrates the kind of misinformation we have to fight against in our quest to have the right thing done, which is to stop this swap. In it, proponents of the swap argue that a swap has been done successfully in the Louis Riel School division between Ecole Marie Anne Gaboury and Hastings School. Well, it wasn't exactly successful in the sense that even it divided the community, and that was a switch with even less impact for both schools involved. 

The fact is, both Ecole Marie Anne Gaboury and Hasting School's shared the same property. It was just a matter of crossing a field. Also, the child care facilities in both schools were run by the same company. In this case, you did have a genuine swap, and even this was extremely divisive as outlined in several news articles, like this one. 

In the case of Earl Grey and LaVerendrye schools, we do not share a property. In fact, it is a sizeable enough distance between the two schools to cause substantial headaches for Earl Grey students and families. Also, the Earl Grey Children's Centre is ONLY licensed for the current Earl Grey site, where as the other two schools has child care facilities run by the same company. On top of that, Earl Grey School's connection with the adjacent community centre, which also holds Dante Day Nursery, will be broken and that doesn't appear to be a factor in the other swap. Kids rely on the community center for lunch and after school programming and being removed from the site will make it a challenge, if not impossible, to access this resource. And then, of course, is the fact that a move will mean that Earl Grey School will lose it's grade 7 and 8 programs. 

Comparing the Ecole Marie Anne Gaboury and Hastings School swap with what would happen to Earl Grey in the case of a swap with LaVerendrye School is like comparing apples to school buses. They are not remotely the same. In fact even calling what would happen between Earl Grey and LaVerendrye as a swap is misleading because, as illustrated above, it is more of a dismantling of Earl Grey than a swap. 

So, claims that there is a successful precedent that was smooth and peachy keen is disingenuous and ignores the realities of what will happen between Earl Grey and LaVerendrye. It is a slap in the face of concerned Earl Grey families who know the truth about what we have to lose, and don't appreciate these concerns being down played, or having misinformation spread about them. If a swap is going to be made, it must be made with all of the facts laid bare. And in this case, the fact is, this "swap" is nothing like the Ecole Marie Anne Gaboury and Hasting School swap in many ways. Trying to draw a parallel is grasping for straws at best. And this is why we must continue to fight to stop the swap 

Amazing Turnout for Earl Grey School's "Stop the Swap" Rally

Wow. That's the best way to describe the turnout for Earl Grey School's rally to Stop the Swap, held Saturday, March 14th. The turnout was just incredible, with at least 100 showing up to passionately voice their concerns about a swap with LaVeredrye that would end in the dismantling of Earl Grey School.

What the event showed is just how tight the Earl Grey community is, and how well we all get along and work together. Kids from all grade levels showed up with signs expressing their displeasure of the idea of a swap, and it was great to see so many civic minded youth standing up for their views. It's clear that Earl Grey has produced caring, intelligent and passionate kids who have a great understanding of the world around them and they did our community proud.

It was nice to see media show up and allow us to provide accurate information to the public about our concerns and the realities of a swap. It was greatly appreciated. And the many parents that were interviewed represented our school well.

All in all, it was a giant success that hopefully leads Earl Grey School one step closer to stopping the swap.

Pre-#StoptheSwap Rally Poster Making Day!

A proud Earl Grey parent making a sign for our big Stop the Swap Rally, happening Saturday, March 14th at 1pm at Earl Grey School! Looking forward to a big turnout. 

The kids were very passionate in their sign making and expressed well how much they love their school and don't want to see it destroyed.

It was nice to see so many kids in the Earl Grey School community so eager to fight for their school. It should be a fun rally on Saturday. Lot's of colourful signs. Lot's of passion. Lot's of hope!

We got a good collection of signs to hold up at Saturday's rally to stop the swap. Nice work everyone. 

Public Flyer: Stop the Swap: Save Earl Grey School!

Earl Grey's Concerns: Why We Want to Stop the Swap

Who will be affected by a swap? REAL PEOPLE

This is a letter posted on social media by a concerned Earl Grey parent that I think speaks volumes to the value of Earl Grey and the programs it offers. This discusses the importance of the Earl Grey Children's Centre (EGCC) in her life. The EGCC is under threat, being licensed ONLY for the current Earl Grey location. This is a REAL person that will be affected. These are the kinds of stories coming out now that real fears of a swap are hitting people. 

As a single mother, It would be so much simpler for me to leave this community, move back to St. James where I grew up. I have friends and family to lean on as supports out that way. 

I choose not to do this because my daughter is thriving at Earl Grey! She loves everyone there. I know everyone loves her, too. 

I am filled with absolute joy when a classroom of kids drop everything, run to the door, exclaiming her name as she arrives! That is the positivity I want her to be surrounded with. 

Whenever I have needed some help, Earl Grey Children's Centre is always there to offer some assistance where possible. The directors and the staff are amazing. I know my daughter is safe and I know she will be happy. Some days she asks to stay longer!
I cannot fathom our life without Earl Grey.

Countering the 600: What is Earl Grey's ACTUAL student capacity?

Last night, we had a meeting with the Winnipeg School Division and the Trustees where both Earl Grey and LaVerendrye school's had a chance to present their arguements both for and against a potential school swap.

One of the most frustrating aspects of this entire process is battling an important piece of information, which is the student capacity of Earl Grey School. The number that continues to be used is a figure of roughly 600 students. Given that the reasoning for a school swap is that Earl Grey supposedly has such a large capacity, LaVerendrye School can move in and have an abundance of room to grow. This is not actually correct, and is only falsely propping up the hopes of LaVerendrye parents desperately looking for a solution to their overcrowding issues.

The following is a letter sent by one of Earl Grey's Parent Council representatives to Trustee Babinsky seeking clarification of this number, and explaining why it is completely inaccurate.

Dear Mr. Babinsky,

I have chosen to write specifically to you because in the two meetings in which we have both been present, I have seen you ask for clarification and seek real facts pertaining to the school swap issue.  I believe that you are doing your due diligence in this matter and so it for this reason that I ask you to look further into the Earl Grey capacity discrepancy.

At the WSD meeting tonight, you asked the administration for a real number on the school capacity. Mr. Chartrand seemed at first unsure and then referred to a document and without citing the source, said 600.  This number has been repeated throughout this process despite our efforts to show in both visual and verbal representations that this is not accurate.

The building was built in 1915.  Since then many renovations have occurred that has reduced the number of individual classroom space by amalgamating into larger areas for music, art, science, computer, offices, lounges, etc.  The actual number of home room classrooms is not what it once was and, by today's educational standards, it is no longer appropriate to have rows of desks with  40 students per room.  Additionally, specialized programming such as our LAC program and elementary class cap sizes further reduces the real capacity, not just the on paper capacity.  As programming can change from year to year, I think it is reasonable to state that capacity is somewhat variable but even with generous estimations, Earl Grey would fall between 400-450.  That would NOT include any dedicated rooms for onsite childcare which would put the actual 'bums in seats' for home room  capacity at approximately 350-375.  This is based on my calculations from having the floor plans and seeing how the space is currently used.  To my knowledge, no onsite assessment has been completed by the division administration and my understanding is that outdated division metrics do not allow for any space to be counted as dedicated educational space.  They simply take the number of rooms as though they are all home room classrooms.

This is very significant because using false or outdated data drastically affects perceptions, for both sides.  It is unfair for Earl Grey to continuously be represented in reports and media as being extremely under utilized because it is not, at least not to the extent that continues to be reported.   While it is true we have some room for growth, our enrolment and use of space has never before been identified as an issue by the division until now.  It is being held against us instead of being commended for meeting divisional mandates on class size and use of space for specialized programs and dedicated music, art, science and computer labs.  Perhaps even more importantly is that LaVerendrye, without actually having done a real space analysis in our building, is expecting that they can move almost 400 elementary students, add a junior high and maintain a Kindercare and parent run daycare program.  They cannot.  If they did, they would be in exactly the same position of losing dedicated common educational space to make individual home room space again.

So, Mr. Babinsky, you can understand my frustration with this one issue in particular.  In a process that has been inherently flawed, I am very disappointed that the administration who is responsible for these schools does not seem to know the actual facts on the buildings themselves and the real logistics of space utilization from both sides.  When asked by you what the capacity was, it should have been something our superintendent knew, for a FACT, citing the source and the metrics used.

I implore you to please hold our division accountable for doing some actual fact finding and to make accurate information known for all.  Regardless of the outcome, I personally need to know the decision was made with integrity and real data and I believe you do too.

Thank you for your time,

More Information on Earl Grey Children's Center

Earl Grey Children’s Centre has operated out of Earl Grey School for 35 years.  We are a provincially licensed early childhood education centre serving 71 children ages 3-12 years.  We employ 15 Early Childhood Educators and support the Earl Grey School community exclusively.  We do not transport to other centres and all of our children attend Earl Grey School.  We directly affect enrolment for the school; parents choose Earl Grey because of the Child Care Centre.  We operate all year long providing care during in-services and school closures including winter, spring and summer break.

All of our staff are trained educators; provincial regulations require staff to have Early Childhood Education training.  Our Early Childhood Education (ECE) Level 3 staff are qualified to teach Nursery.  Our provincially mandated curriculum ensures that, as an early childhood education centre, we have children school ready by grade 1.

Our commitment to the school and vice versa is paramount to each other’s success. Three years ago we expanded our centre by 15 spaces on request of the school to meet the higher enrolment demands.  This kind of cooperation between child care and educational systems is a vital community service that is supported by all levels of government and backed by empirical evidence in the latest research on early childhood education outcomes.

In the event of a school swap, our future in either building is uncertain at best.  According to the Community Consultation statement on the Winnipeg School Division (WSD) website, we are viewed as mere tenants who may only be offered space providing that it is available. We have begun to look at contingency planning and have determined that there is no suitable location within walking distance for us to relocate and still serve the Earl Grey Community.  A school swap would effectively shut down a child care centre that has been in operation for 35 years, leave 71 children without early educational child care and cause 15 people to lose their jobs.  This is not just a matter of trading buildings.  There is much more at stake here. 

Additionally, Earl Grey School is directly connected to other child care systems in the same one block community.  Dante Nursery has been in operation for 41 years.  Originally they operated from the school and then later moved to the building directly behind, adjacent to the Community Club.

They provide provincially licensed childcare space from infancy through preschool.  Each year they have up to 15 children who attend Nursery and Kindergarten at Earl Grey and, due to their proximity, are able to walk those kids to and from school.  Like Earl Grey Children’s Centre, they are open year round and provide care during school closure and holidays.  However, if Earl Grey School moves, they will not be able to transport.  The centre itself is not in jeopardy but 15 more children will lose their child care option.

Both centres currently have waiting lists from families who, in anticipation of their children attending Earl Grey School are waiting for space.  Child care waiting lists are over 2 years long, even longer for infant care. Families in our community who are planning their childcare and school future based on the locations of the school and child care centres will be affected.  These decisions affect not just those of us using the services now, but also families in our community well into the future.

The Earl Grey Community Club provides programming to many Earl Grey students every day.  They run before and after school and lunch supervision programs in which 40-60 children regularly attend.

Despite the number of licensed child care spaces, there will never be enough and the Community Club provides an invaluable resource for those families who cannot secure or afford licensed child care space and for adolescent children who need a safe and secure place to be outside of school hours.

The Community Club does not have the means to transport kids or assure their safe arrival to the club if they were expected to travel alone.  As a result these families would no longer have the affordable and trusted supervision for their children.    It is the proximity of the Community Centre to the School that makes this programming successful.  Four blocks may not seem like much to you or I, but to these children and their families, it is a barrier they cannot surmount.

On January 24, 2015 The Winnipeg Free Press released the first of a year-long series on child-care as a key economic and education issue, leading up to the Provincial and Federal elections.  They site many sources all of whom agree with the current research that supports the collaboration between schools and early childhood education centres including the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents, The Manitoba School Boards Association, Manitoba Family Services, Healthy Child Manitoba, and Manitoba Education.  Some of the key points are as follows:

• Economic experts and child-care studies globally support the fact that a child who gets a decent start in the preschool years has a much brighter future.  Long term positive outcomes and cost-savings include improved school performance, reduced special education placement, lower school drop-out rates and increased lifelong earning potential.

• A new generation of brain research shows the incredible value of early-childhood education.  This greater understanding of the importance of the preschool years has led to increasing integration of programs and services for preschoolers with programs and services for school age children.  This data is so persuasive, even economists have taken notice because the evidence shows experiences during the first five years of life have a material impact on economic and social success, including educational, health and overall well-being.  This science has begun to inform education policy.

• In Manitoba about half of all daycare centres are located in or next to schools.  The province requires that new schools include purpose-built childcare centres and are working to ensure that existing centres will be protected by Bill 7.   Bill 7 is an amendment to the Public Schools Act protecting child care spaces in school settings which has been put before the Legislature of Manitoba in cooperation with The Manitoba School Boards Association.  The Act is based on the following standards: WHEREAS licensed child care centres in schools let children move seamlessly between child care and school within a safe, secure and nurturing environment; AND WHEREAS families, school boards and child care centres all benefit by being able to plan knowing that the child care space will continue to be available;   it protects  a child care centre operating out of a school setting by requiring full cooperation, agreement and planning to occur between the school division, the child care centre and the provincial Minister regarding any changes in space or location.   Minister of Education Peter Bjornson made the first reading in November 2014 and it is expected to pass without objection.  As elected trustees of the School Board Office, I respectfully suggest that any decision made needs to adhere to the spirit of this legislation pending the official Royal Assent passing it into law because the goal of the province in collaboration with school divisions is towards integrating early learning childcare centres with the current formalized educational system.

We need answers!

An interesting post was made on social media today by a concerned parent at Earl Grey School. This was after reading a blog post by a LaVerendrye School parent directed at Earl Grey parents about why they want this swap, and want it immediately. It is worth sharing because she expresses many of the feelings, concerns and fears that most Earl Grey families have, and for good reason.

My issue has never been the LaV parents. Most I have communicated with think like this one. However the problem has always been that all of the content of this letter are just 'ideas' at this point. Good intentions do not solve real concerns. Has the administration of LaV and Earl Grey and the WSD (Winnipeg School Division) actually sat down with floor plans and figured out real logistics? There are still a lot of unknowns and assumptions. Will LaV be full again even if they do go to Earl Grey? Will the WSD plan for future French milieu (LaVerendrye is a French milieu school) growth so it doesn't happen all over again? After LaV has the reno (vations), maybe Earl grey and the EGCC (Earl Grey Children's Centre) will fit but that still doesn't address the Junior High (in the proposed swap, Earl Grey would lose it's grade 7 and 8 programs). Will the WSD make catchment area changes so that our Junior High kids actually have a division school and aren't left applying and hoping to get in somewhere? I am opposing the swap not just to put up a barrier for the sake of it. If they actually go ahead with a swap, some real planning has to occur and these issues have to be solved BEFORE they vote. I want answers and to know what is GOING to happen, not just what maybe/possibly could happen. AND none of this addresses the fact that LaV is pushing for a swap this year (September 2015)! It is not possible to solve all of these unknowns by then.

Genuine concerns. Genuine issues. At this point, we have a desire by LaVerendrye School to swap with Earl Grey School, but very little information as to how this would actually happen. At this point, what we do know is scary enough. We know our Jr. High program will be taken away. We also know that we will lose connection with the Earl Grey Community Center that Earl Grey kids rely on heavily for lunch and after school programming. We know that the Earl Grey Early Childhood Education programs are licensed only for Earl Grey School, and some drastic changes, including renovations of LaVerendrye School and re-licensing will have to take place before that program can be moved, if it ever can be.

So, the knowns are scary enough, without even factoring in the unknowns. Earl Grey School has too much to lose. How can Earl Grey families do anything BUT oppose a swap?

How to make your voice heard

The Winnipeg School Division has hired a firm to survey the community to help in the decision making process as to whether a school swap will be approved or tossed out.

Thus far in this blog, we have outlined the value of Earl Grey School, particularly in it's current location, the fact that it is, indeed, a school increasingly in demand and will be hindered by a smaller school facility, the potential for job loses and the closing of the Earl Grey Children's Centre, the dismantling of the Jr. High classes, which will leave many students in the cold and looking for alternatives with no guarantees of transport or adequate accommodation.  We have expressed that this process has been done without giving much information to Earl Grey School as to the full impacts, but thus far the impacts that we are sure of are damaging to the school community, and force us to have to fight for the school's future.

You can help us by visiting the survey website and show your support in stopping the swap between Earl Grey School and LaVerendrye School and encouraging the Winnipeg School Division to follow one of the other paths to solving LaVerendrye's overcrowding issues.

The survey can be found here: http://www.pra.ca/en/WSDcommunitysurvey

Thank You!

What happens to Earl Grey Children's Centre in case of a swap?

Due to how quickly the idea of a school swap was sprung on Earl Grey School, despite the fact other parties involved appear to have a head start on information gathering, Earl Grey School is unfortunately left in the dark as to how a swap would impact programs like Earl Grey Children's Centre (EGCC).

There are those that would like a full school swap by September 2015. With so much up in the air and so much information missing, we are left scrambling and seeking out any information we can. But there are also a number of glaring realities in how EGCC will be impacted. This post outlines the huge number of concerns and the plain facts regarding a school swap, including the possible closure of the Centre and the loss of jobs.

EARL GREY CHILDREN’S CENTRE (EGCC) IMPACT FACTS

BACKGROUND

·         Earl Grey Children’s Centre has been operating out of Earl Grey School for 35 years.  We are a non-profit provincially licensed early childhood education centre serving 71 children ages 3-12 years.  We employ 15 Early Childhood Educators.

·         We service the Earl Grey School exclusively and our programming is fully integrated with the school system.  We directly affect enrollment and we exist solely to serve Earl Grey’s needs.  Ex. Three years ago we expanded another room and added 15 spots on request of the school to meet enrollment demands.

Other Community Childcare affected:

·         Dante Nursery serves up to 15 children per year who attend Earl Grey School.  They are unable to transport in the event of swap.

·         Earl Grey Community Club supports 40-60 children per day in their before and after and lunch programming.  They also cannot transport.

·         Home daycares have contacted us to inform they will not be able to transport as they also care for infants and cannot take them out in extreme weather. 

MIXED MESSAGES

The Trustees:

·         We have heard many of the trustees acknowledge the importance of our centre to the school community.  Thank you. 

·         Many have made statements of support in regards to our continued operation in the event of a swap though it seems unclear if anyone fully knows if or how that would happen.    

·         How do the trustees plan to address this uncertainty?  Is there a plan in place to work with us?

The Division:

·         Last year we received a letter, completely random at the time, ensuring we were aware of their policy to provide 90 days notice for eviction.  When the swap was raised as an option on December 15th 2014 the trustees voted in the favour of maintenance of the status quo whereby Ecole LaVerendrye would continue to operate as a N-6 school in its present location, to request additional classrooms from the Department of Education and Advanced Learning and explore the possibility of establishing a new French milieu program outside of establishing a new French milieu program outside of the existing École LaVérendrye catchment area. On February 2nd, 2015 the vote was reversed and amended options were put forth by the board as possible solutions for community consultation. 

·         On the WSD website outlining the new consultation process, it states we are business tenants in the school. There is no acknowledgement of our long standing and integrated relationship.

·         The process that prevented the school administration from giving us any direct communication on the jeopardy we faced perpetuates the perception that we are not valued by the WSD administration.

·         If one of the options requires use of our space i.e. swap or space sharing with LaV, will the division only give us 90 days’ notice or will we be offered some planning time or allowed to remain until the school moves?

The Province:

·         The province has made childcare, in particular its relationship with school communities, a priority.  It supports the research that shows a seamless integration between early years and formal school benefits everyone and has implemented policies to reflect this.

·         New schools are mandated to include purpose-built space for early education childcare centres.

·         Bill 7, an amendment to the public schools act has been put before the Legislature to protect existing centres operating in schools. 

·         Is the WSD aware of the provincial views or Bill 7?  Is the rushed timeline intended to ‘beat’ the legislation?

SCENARIO LOGISTICS

Scenario A: A school swap is voted in and it is determined that there is space for EGCC in the new location.

·         Provincially licensed centres must meet certain criteria including #square feet, natural light, washroom facilities/child ratios, sinks in rooms, food preparation kitchen space, etc.

·         EGCC’s operating license is based on the space we have in our current location.  It is not transferable.

·         We would effectively be opening a brand new centre and would have to ensure it was possible, structurally, to do renovations to meet provincial standards. 

·         Renovations take time and money.  It would not be something we could accomplish during the summer break between school years.  There would be a disruption of service for a majority of the first year.

·         At Earl Grey School, the WSD approved us doing a $45,000 kitchen installation.  We raised funds and received grants from Community Places.  Since this is not WSD property but cannot be moved, would the WSD commit these funds to allow us to recreate our facilities in a new space?  What compensation would be offered for other centre funds invested in the existing space?

Scenario B: A school swap is voted in and we are allowed to remain in our current location.

·         This scenario was noted in a letter from the LaV community council to the board.  It is important to note that we were not consulted on this ‘solution’ and no onsite assessment of our space was done.  It is highly unlikely this would be possible due to LaV’s space needs and their own KinderCare service.

·         The centre and most families are opposed to this option due to the hardship of transporting young children to and from school up to 4 times per day, especially in extreme weather. 

·         The centre would not be able to remain in a space if their access to shared school space or movements within the school were in any way restricted by a segregation based on language.  It is against our value system and curriculum requirements which support cultural integration.

Scenario C: A school swap is voted in and there is no available space for us to move with the school.

·         We have done our contingency research and there is no suitable space within walking distance of the school that is available or affordable.  We are unable to afford to operate motor vehicle transportation services to be located further away.

·         This scenario would cause the centre to close permanently.   71 children would be without early education childcare.  Parents would have to start over on a 2+ year waiting list for care. 

·         Many of these children would be unable to remain enrolled at Earl Grey as parents seek and eventually secure care in schools that do support a relationship with a childcare centre.

·         15 people would lose their jobs. 

·         Is losing the centre a factor in considering the swap or are we an add one that you hope to support but if not, then that is just an unfortunate consequence?

Scenario D: A school swap is NOT voted in and we remain in our current relationship with the school.

·         Obviously, this is our preference and we would breathe a collective sigh of relief with the rest of the community.  However it is important to note that based on the perceived lack of value we have to the WSD itself, we would not feel completely safe and secure until Bill 7 passes into law and until we saw the WSD change its statements and actions to reflect the Provincial values on childcare in schools.

·         Is there a disconnect between the WSD, the board of trustees and the province in terms of early education priorities and is this on the radar to be addressed in any way after all this is over?

Earl Grey School programming fact sheet

Earl Grey school provides a number of programs that are unique to this school in this area, as well as a demographic that depends on the type of school Earl Grey is and what it provides. Any risk to changes pose hard challenges that will be difficult for the school's most vulnerable students and families to overcome.

This also shows how Earl Grey is utilizing its space and why some of our important programs require more space than others, which further demonstrates that Earl Grey is far from a half empty school on the wane.

Further outlined here is the fact that Earl Grey is a school that is increasingly in demand. Thirty two students are enrolled for Grade 7 for September 2015! Placing Earl Grey in the current LaVerendrye School site will hinder growth potential for the school, on top of putting programs at risk and the already confirmed termination of growing Jr. High classes if a school swap is approved. 

It is not just for our current students that we wish to stop this swap, it is for future students and our community as a whole. If Earl Grey School is growing, how can moving the school to a much smaller location be justified? It would be short sighted and damaging in the long run. 

Alternative Program

·         Grade 1/2/3 class and Grade 4/5/6 class.

·         EG is one of five schools in the entire division that offers this program.

·         The closest school is Laura Secord, a dual track school.

·         The Alternative program has been in existence for approximately 20 years at EG.  

·         2011/12 - 45 children, 2014/15 – 48 children. 

·         Benefits of having students with the same teacher for three years.

·         There is significant hands-on learning and this heightens their engagement.

Catchment - Regular Elementary Programming

·         Approximately half of Earl Grey students are from outside the catchment area. 

·         The Day care availability has been critical to our non-catchment students. 

Class Sizes

Earl Grey has already reduced class sizes that are in line with the provincial guidelines on N-3 class sizes.

·         The elementary program growth calculation:

(2015 population – 2012 population) / 2012 population x 100

= (146-122) /122 x 100 = 19.6% increase over 4 scholastic years

·         External factors that would prevent class size growth

o   Provincial class size mandates K-3 cap by 2017

o   Budget cuts limiting the number of teacher hires, thus reducing the number of classes that can be opened

Demographic

For 2013/2014

o   Elementary

§  had a stability (no. stable students/enrolment) of 93.6%

§  Single parent families 24.2%

§  Immigrant or Student Visa 25.1%

§  Other language (Russian, Tagalog, Iranian, Hebrew, Other) 10.0% (division is 6.6%)

§  Below Low income cut-off 24.6%

o   Junior High

§  Single parent families 40%

§  Other language (Spanish, Chinese, Iranian) 16.0%

§  Below Low income cut-off 24.6%

§  Aboriginal Families 19.6%*

Recent Grants Obtained Through Parents

·         $5000 Asper Foundation for MTYP activities.

·         Sustainable Development grants, for swings for our playground.

·         $110,000 over three years; Beautification project for the outdoor classroom and the garden.

·         The latter two grants are examples of non-transferrable structures

Indigenous Students and Families

·         Before Building Student Success for Aboriginal Parents (BSSAP) funding, Indigenous parents were rarely seen in the building.

·         30-35% of our school population would self-identify as Indigenous*

*Indigenous students may not reside with Aboriginal Families

·         Results of program

o   All students learn about one another’s cultures.

o   Increased attendance of Indigenous students.

o   Indigenous parents have become increasingly visible and present in our school.

Junior High

·         We are the only N-8 school in the south district.

·         There is only one other school offering grade 7/8 outside a high school setting in the south district.

·         For 19 years offered an award winning all-girls/all-boys class which will be returning after popular demand.

·         Normally we have 1 or 2 applications for Gr. 7 in February, but in Feb. 2015 we have 19 applications. 

·         Administration is anticipating a 50% increase in enrolment in junior high despite negatively publicity (32 grade 7's enrolled for next year, 18 grade 8 students).

·         Stereotypically and incorrectly, a small junior high program has been looked upon as ineffective or not fiscally responsible.

Catchment for another Junior High for Comparison

Articles related to Junior High class Sizes

http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/class-size/

The biggest and most credible of those studies, Tennessee’s statewide Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio, or STAR, project, begun in the late 1970s, found that the learning gains students made in classes of 13 to 17 students persisted long after the students moved back into average-size classes (HEROS, 2011).

http://www.classsizematters.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Spring2006_FINAL.pdf

The application of the research base at the middle school demonstrates that small class size can drive improvements and need not be expensive if implemented according to research (end pullout programs, re-assign staff members, change the structure). Benefits were cognitive (achievement) and non-cognitive (behavior) and cumulative as demonstrated by the large percentage of 6^th grade students who exited the BSI program by 8^th grade, and by the higher outcomes for the cohort (n = 38) who had small classes for three full years, when compared to other groupings of students. Class size reduction can have a positive impact in the middle grades.

Learning Assistance Centre 

·         Earl Grey houses the Learning Assistance Centre (LAC) which has special facilities for the south end.  

·         This would have to be relocated to another school if a proposed school swap occurs.

·         It is a special Education program for students aged 6 to graduation who exhibit behaviours characteristic of very severe emotional disturbance and/or behaviour disorder.

·         The program provides a low enrollment setting, an intensive staff-student ratio and clinical support.

·         The primary purpose of the LAC program is to improve the student’s social functioning to enable a return to a regular instructional setting. 

New Programs Attempts

·         A proposal for Flexible Learning program was denied and program was placed at Gordon Bell and Grant Park.

·         Dual track was recommended to the consultants in May 2014 but not followed up on.

·         Request to house Special Gr. 5 French program, a program proposed by the province, but there was no response.

·         Previous school trustee chair informally presented the idea of Spanish Bilingual programming to administration of EG on numerous occasions in 2014 with favourable response from the principal.

·         Trustee Wasyliw at February 4^th Earl Grey Meeting, “I would like to see EG School be one of the places where all day kindergarten is offered.”

Other Facts to Consider

·         http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/kelvin-kicks-campaign-into-gear-291806211.html

School board chairman and nearby resident Mark Wasyliw said the Winnipeg School Division wants to create a new public definition of what schools are, by transforming them into community hubs.   This is, in fact, what Earl Grey School has already achieved.

·         https://www.winnipegsd.ca/administration%20services/policy/wsd-policies/Documents/EC.pdf

Facilities Management Process Policy

“Long-Range School Facility Development – a planning process for formulating and monitoring the long-range plan for the replacement, addition to or renovation of facilities. The Chief Superintendent shall be responsible for the development, implementation, and co-ordination of a comprehensive facility planning process.”

As a community, we would be interested in learning more about the long-range plan for the south district schools, in particular Earl Grey, is and would like to be part of its development and growth.