VSB - Board Shortcomings

• Committee II/III failed to provide communications to community and parents of Garibaldi regarding the recommendation provided Wednesday November 7th to begin the process of Operational Review of Garibaldi Annex

• VSB promised parents of Garibaldi that no school would be considered for closure during the Facility Review process as undertaken by the VSB to be completed in January of 2008

• Criteria for closure not based on new guidelines adopted by VSB as part of the Facility Review process or new mandate of the VSB as a Board of Education ie, meant to encompass learning throughout the life-course.

VSB Facilities Review Timeline

Facilities Review – Parent and Community Response Regarding Educational Priorities

NRG Research Group

NRG Research Group

NRG Research Group

NRG Research Group

Negative Climate

• Parents have moved children to schools outside Garibaldi catchment area for non-traditional programming presently unavailable within the Garibaldi catchment

• Parents and Community have been warned that Garibaldi may be facing closure by VSB in recent years

Statistics about VSB and Garibaldi Catchment

Statistics about VSB and Garibaldi Catchment

Statistics about VSB and Garibaldi Catchment

Statistics about VSB and Garibaldi Catchment

Statistics about VSB and Garibaldi Catchment

Reduction of Choice:

• Class Size

• School Size

• Programming

• Community

• Environmental

• Safety

What closure may mean?

What closure may mean?

Lack of Desired Programming within catchment:• Will specialty programs desired be available?

Large Schools:• Your child may attend a school with upwards of 650

students, with large class sizes

Safety Concerns:• Your child may be required to cross dangerous roads

Driving:• Decisions based on financial ability• Environmental concerns if driving is required• Does not promote health and wellness if children must use

transit or drive

Lack of Community:• Reduction of the number of schools leads to centralization,

this in turn, can lead to a weakening of communities

Lack of Equal Access: • Lack of programming offered to your child in your area if your

school catchment doesn’t measure up by population standards?

What closure may mean?

Positive Climate

• Current programs at Garibaldi fit with school board's model of serving community education for all ages– Frog Hollow programs include family drop-in for pre-

school aged children and caregivers, support circles, movement and dance, etc.

– Pacific Immigration Resource Society provides ESL parenting support for women with young children

– Canuck Family Education Centre provides comprehensive programming to parents, pre-school children and community with Partners in Education (PIE) and Art and Family Literacy programs

What can the future be like for our Community?• What do you see as a sustainable future

for Garibaldi and Surrounding Schools?– Reduction of required capacity for schools by

VSB?– More community programming?– Pre-school education?– Relevant programming, with specialty

programming supported by VSB for Arts, Language, Literacy, Sciences, Montessori curriculum, etc.?

How can you help?

• Petition your friends, family and neighbours

• Write Vancouver School Board Trustees, Ministry and your MLA

• Provide your time to help save a neighbourhood school and maintain your right to have options for your child’s education

Thank you