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St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Report

January 2019

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St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Information

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Information .................................................................................. 3

Programming ................................................................................................................................................ 4

International Baccalaureate ...................................................................................................................... 4

Generations (Inclusive Education) ............................................................................................................ 4

100 Voices ................................................................................................................................................. 5

School Programs ....................................................................................................................................... 5

Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................................... 6

Infrastructure Maintenance Renewal and Plant Operation and Maintenance ......................................... 7

Infrastructure Maintenance Renewal (IMR) ............................................................................................. 7

Plant Operation and Maintenance (PO&M) ............................................................................................. 8

Student Enrolment and Demographic Trends ............................................................................................. 8

Student Enrolment ................................................................................................................................... 8

Demographic Trends ............................................................................................................................... 10

Transportation Information ....................................................................................................................... 11

Financial Information ................................................................................................................................. 12

Maintenance Costs.................................................................................................................................. 13

Possible Use of School Building ................................................................................................................. 13

Moving .................................................................................................................................................... 13

Additional Information .............................................................................................................................. 13

Current St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School attendance area ......................................................... 14

Proposed St. Brendan Catholic Elementary School attendance area .................................................... 15

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Public Meeting Invitation Poster ............................................. 16

Three-Year Capital Plan, 2019-2022 ....................................................................................................... 17

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St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Information

Principal: Tom Rees

5540 - 106 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6A 1G3

Tel: 780-466-0220

www.st.gabriel.ecsd.net

The School Creed As St. Gabriel was the messenger of “GOOD NEWS”, we too are called as messengers, to proclaim that

Jesus Christ is our inspiration and model.

The School Mission Statement We seek to create a caring, compassionate community of diverse life-long learners where all are welcome. Through 21st century learning, students are inspired to develop their gifts and talents in all aspects of life while permeating the Gospel teachings to guide actions as contributing global citizens.

The School Vision We seek to create an inclusive and diverse faith-based environment that encourages students to unlock

their full potential in becoming the best versions of themselves.

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School is the designated Catholic school for students residing in the

South-East Edmonton communities of: Capilano, Gold Bar, Terrace Heights, Forest Heights, Riverdale,

Strathearn, Fulton Place, Hardisty, and Cloverdale.

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School enrols students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 6. There were

132 students enrolled at the school as of September 30, 2018. If the school were to close,

approximately 112 K-6 students will be re-designated to St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High

School.

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Table 1: St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Enrolment, 2018

Grades September 30, 2018 Pre-Kindergarten 20* Kindergarten 14 Grade 1 24 Grade 2 20 Grade 3 17 Grade 4 19 Grade 5 9 Grade 6 9 Total 132

*9 students from the Pre-Kindergarten (100 Voices) program reside in the St. Gabriel Elementary attendance area.

Programming

International Baccalaureate (IB)

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School is a candidate school for the Primary Years International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme (PYP). The PYP is internationally recognized for its emphasis on helping students become active learners, well-rounded, internationally-minded individuals, and engaged world citizens. Each student at St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School is an IB learner. If St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School were to close, the PYP will not transfer to St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School as IB Programmes cannot be transferred between schools. If the District was to implement IB Programmes at St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School, four Programmes would be required, one for elementary and three for the junior high’s programs (regular, Spanish Bilingual and Ukrainian Bilingual).

The Spanish and Ukrainian Bilingual programs offered in junior high at St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School has no late entry to the bilingual programs so only students who have been in the elementary bilingual programs can register in these language programs. However, St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School does offer Spanish and French as second language options in junior high.

Generations (Inclusive Education)

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School is also home to the Edmonton Catholic School District elementary

program that serve the needs of students with specific special needs in an inclusive setting (the other

Generations programs are at St. Mark Catholic Junior High School and Austin O’Brien Catholic High

School).

The Generations program (formerly EE1) is woven into the life and community of the students and staff

of St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School. Should St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School close as a

community school, the Generations program students would relocate, with all their peers and

classmates of St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School, to St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High

School. The Generations program would continue to provide our students who have multiple profound

exceptionalities, and choose this program, with the same level and expertise of educational and

therapeutic programming that is currently provided at St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School. The

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equipment and resources currently used in the program would move with the students to their new

location at St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School.

100 Voices

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School currently offers the 100 Voices program, a District early learning

program for children who are 3 and 4 years old. If St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School were to close,

the existing 100 Voices program would be relocated to the second floor of St. Gabriel Catholic

Elementary School. The second-floor location has a separate entrance and is near the well-established

YMCA Childcare. This 100 Voices program will become part of Genesis School, that currently supports

multiple 100 Voices programs in alternate locations across the city.

To ensure families have access to childcare, the Edmonton Catholic School District is collaboratively

working with the YMCA to continue offering childcare beginning at 12 months of age.

The 100 Voices program will provide an opportunity for families requiring seamless childcare and educational programming/early intervention. The 100 Voices program and the YMCA will work in partnership to meet your child’s educational and childcare needs and provide a continuum of supports and services.

School Programs

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School currently offers the following school programs to their students:

• Running club, volleyball and basketball • Robotics Club • Music program • Multi-Sensory room to provide additional supports for students dealing with sensory challenges

and anxiety • Learning coach and English Language Learners (ELL) support • Cross-Graded-Literacy program to promote literacy and build students’ capacity for achieving

their reading goals • Working with Educational Behaviour specialist and Family School Liaison worker to develop

targeted programs to assist students one-on-one or whole classroom in the following areas: Social-Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving, Anti-Bullying Program

• Updated technology including iPads, Chromebooks, and subscriptions to various online learning tools to promote literacy and numeracy skills

• Social Justice opportunities • Hot lunches

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The new St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School facility opened its doors in September 2016. In addition to the offerings at St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School, St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School also offers the following features and programs for its students:

• Full day Kindergarten • open working spaces and abundant daylight • An innovative learning commons space (2-storey) featuring current literature, educational

games, and ergonomic furniture to promote learning • School Choir • Small and large gymnasium access • Extra curricular activities include: Leadership Team, Running Club, Music Club, Homework Club,

Fitness Fridays, and Yoga • Artist in residence programs include: Drumming Workshops, Trickster Theatre and others • Working with our FNMI educational liaison worker to develop community and awareness within

the school about FNMI cultures • NEW playground (in the form of Saint Brendan's ship) that incorporates outdoor play • "Write-on" days and writer's workshops to develop writing skills • FLEX opportunities in elementary and junior high where students choose to study and

participate in areas of interest or remediation • School spirit days and celebrations which buddy up elementary and junior high students • Guided math programs • Maker space and tech club work within the learning commons and the conference room that is

equipped with the latest technology to promote innovative learning • Kiwanis "Terrific Kids Program" runs from January to June • Beautiful Chapel where students and staff can join for prayer sessions at lunchtime • K-9 environment promoting leadership and community within the student body • Fitness room • Science Fair • Outdoor classroom

All students residing in the area of St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School will have a viable option for

Catholic education.

Infrastructure

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School was originally built in 1957 with a one-story structure and service

tunnels of 2,336 square metres. A one-story addition, with a partial basement of 864 square metres,

was added in 1963 to the south end of the original school. A two-story addition of 2,738 square metres

was added in 1967 to the north end of the original school. Presently, the school has a total area of 5,939

square metres with 1,234 square metres being leased to outside parties.

As per Alberta Infrastructure’s new capacity formula set in 2014–2015, the 2017–2018 student capacity of St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School is 604 students. Based on Alberta Infrastructure’s year-end assessment, the current replacement cost of St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School as of April 1, 2018 is $21,141,060. The Facility Condition Index (FCI) is an Alberta Infrastructure and industry-standard index that measures the relative condition of a facility by considering the costs of deferred maintenance and repairs and the

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value of the facility within a five-year window. The last assessment and audit on the building took place on February 22, 2017. Typically, Alberta Infrastructure audits government facilities on a five-year cycle. The calculation used to determine a facilities FCI is as follows:

FCI = Five-Year Requirementi Cost Building Replacement Cost

Requirements are deficiencies or improvements. Work that needs to be completed, which has an associated cost. Five-Year Facility Condition Index

• The FCI is a metric that allows the District to compare buildings of different sizes, ages and locations.

• The five-year window includes requirements that are deferred in the current fiscal year plus the next four fiscal years (current year + 4 years = 5 years).

• The FCI includes replacements and repairs.

• As of Alberta Infrastructure’s year-end, April 1, 2018, St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School FCI was 0.30 meaning the building is in fair condition.

o The FCI’s range from 0 to 1.00

• 0 to 0.15 good condition

• 0.15 to 0.40 fair condition

• 0.40 to 1.00 poor condition

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School does not currently appear on the District Three-Year Capital Plan, 2019-2022. See Appendix D. The Three-Year Capital Plan is reviewed annually and submitted to Alberta Education on April 1.

Infrastructure Maintenance Renewal and Plant Operation and Maintenance

Infrastructure Maintenance Renewal (IMR)

One of the highest priorities for any school jurisdiction regarding their school facilities is to ensure that health, safety and essential upgrading needs, including emergent projects, are completed as required. IMR funding is provided to meet these needs and eliminate deferred maintenance.

IMR funding may be spent only for approved purposes. Jurisdictions may use the funds to:

• ensure school facilities meet all regulatory requirements, particularly as they pertain to providing a safe and healthy learning environment and;

• preserve and improve the quality of the learning environment by:

o replacing building components that have failed;

o prolonging the life of the facility through planned, proactive replacement of major components;

o upgrading of the educational areas to meet program requirements;

o meeting the facility requirements of students with special needs; and

o replacing or upgrade building components to improve energy conservation and efficiency and to achieve costs savings as a result.

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IMR project are often deferred to address the most urgent needs of the District. The following IMR projects have been completed at St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School since 2016:

• 2016-2017: the repair of two boilers, $35,016

• 2017-2018: the repair of the roof’s air damper, $10,514

• 2017-2018: new flooring in the music room, $20,035

Plant Operation and Maintenance (PO&M)

PO&M funding is provided by Education to all school jurisdictions for the maintenance and operation of school buildings to ensure they are safe, comfortable and suitable learning environments for children. This funding is different from the IMR funding which is used for component replacement and upgrading of existing school facilities. PO&M includes custodial, electricity, gas, water, garbage disposal and maintenance. Table 2: St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School PO&M Funding, 2015-2017

Year Plant Operation & Maintenance

Funding per Student ($) Allocated Plant Operation &

Maintenance ($) 2015-2016 771 145,719 2016-2017 771 129,528 2017-2018 795 114,480

The Plant Operation and Maintenance funding varies based on the approved Government of Alberta Education budget.

Student Enrolment and Demographic Trends

Student Enrolment

Table 3: St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Enrolment and Utilizations Rates 2014-2023

Elementary Enrolment

(Head Count) Adjustment Enrolment

Utilization Rate

2014-2015 actual 182 214 52%* 2015-2016 actual 189 211 52%* 2016-2017 actual 168 192 47%* 2017-2018 actual 144 163 40%* 2018-2019 actual 132 153** 40% 2019-2020 projected 126 149** 39% 2020-2021 projected 123 145** 38% 2021-2022 projected 111 133** 35% 2022-2023 projected 107 129** 34% 2023-2024 projected 105 126** 33%

*Net Capacity was 408

**Effective September 1, 2018, the adjusted enrolment for ECS students with severe disabilities are factored at 1.5

rather than 3, Area Capacity and Utilization report, 2018-2019.

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Figure 1: St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Enrolment 2014-2023

As per Alberta Infrastructure Capital Manual, 2015, the utilization rate measures the student capacity of

a school. Displayed as a percentage, utilization rates give insight into how close a school is to its

maximum student capacity.

The utilization rate for a school is determined using the following formula:

Utilization rates = Total Adjusted Enrolment Net Capacity

The adjusted enrolment for a school uses a Student Allowance Factor to account for the additional space required by some students with special needs for the effective and safe delivery of programs. Students Grades 1 to 12 with severe disabilities are counted at a factor of three (3) and ECS students with severe disabilities are counted at a factor of one and a half (1.5).

Total Adjusted Enrolment = ((ECS -ECS severe disabilities) x 0.5) + (ECS severe disabilities x1.5) + (Grades 1 to 12 – Grades 1 to 12 severe disabilities) + (Grades 1 to 12 severe disabilities x 3.0)

Some space in a school may be exempt from the instructional area, which will reduce the school’s capacity. Currently, St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School is leasing 1,232 square metres of its 5,938.5-gross square metre area. As a result, the gross capacity of 604 has been reduced to a net capacity of 378.

Net capacity of an elementary school is determined by dividing the instructional area of the school by an instructional area per student. St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School instructional area per student is 3.47 square metres.

Net capacity = Instructional Area Area per student

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100

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650

Head Count Capacity

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Demographic Trends

Figure 2: St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Utilization Rates, 2014-2023

Figure 3: St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Attendance Area Demographics - Children Aged 0 to

14 years

Source: City of Edmonton Municipal Census 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Utilization

0

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100

150

200

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350

400

450

500

Capilano Cloverdale Forest Heights Fulton Place

Gold Bar Holyrood Strathearn Terrace Heights

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Table 4: St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Attendance Area Demographics - Children Aged 0 to

14 years

Elementary Neighbourhoods 2009 2012 2014 2016 Capilano 437 364 289 226 Cloverdale* 99 89 82 68 Forest Heights 385 350 384 391 Fulton Place 303 295 210 185 Gold Bar 445 442 292 421 Holyrood* 412 409 467 371 Strathearn* 221 231 289 173 Terrace Heights* 217 251 231 176 Total 2,519 2,431 2,244 2,011

*A significant part of the neighbourhood is contained within the attendance area; all the 0-14 school-aged children are included in the total

Transportation Information

Currently, Edmonton Catholic School District transports 42 students to St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary

School. These students are transported using four buses (one regular yellow bus - 29 students; three

curb service routes - 13 students).

Proposed Busing to St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School

Should St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School close, all students in the current St. Gabriel Catholic

Elementary School catchment would be eligible for yellow bussing to St. Brendan Elementary/Junior

High School which means that elementary students would be able to travel on the same bus as their

older siblings. Ride times are expected to be comparable to current ride times. Furthermore, all

students residing in the St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School attendance area who will require access

to the yellow bus service would be entitled to free passes for a period of three years to their new

designated school. Students needing before & after school care will be transported to and from the

YMCA daycare operating at St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School.

If students are re-designated to St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School, there would be no

financial impact to transportation as bussing routes directed to St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior

High School are currently in place.

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Financial Information

Excluding maintenance costs, the St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School 2018-2019 budget is:

Table 5: St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School 2018-2019 School Budget

Revenue:

Basic Funding $610,402

Special Needs Funding 440,441

Inclusive Severe Needs Funding 62,520

English as a Second Language Funding 11,200

First Nations, Metis & Inuit (FNMI) Funding 15,114

Additional Allocations 106,480

Other Allocations & Transfers 31,417

Total Revenue from Allocations $1,277,574

Staff Costs FTE

Certificated 9.82 $1,023,576

Administrative Support Staff 2.1 69,080

Educational Assistants 6.1 314,424

Other Staff Costs:

Substitutes 7,000

Other/Casual/Hourly 9,399

Total Staff Costs $1,423,479

Net Total ($145,905)

Excluding maintenance costs, the St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School past school expenses, 2015-

2017 (actuals) have ranged from $1,812,070 to $1,509,643.

• 2015-2016 total expenses: $1,812,070

• 2016-2017 total expenses: $1,681,952

• 2017-2018 total expenses: $1,509,643

In the 2017-2018 school year, the District allocated an additional $167,000 to balance the St. Gabriel

Catholic Elementary School budget. It is projected that additional funds will also be required to balance

the 2018-2019 school budget.

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Maintenance Costs

Table 6: St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Maintenance Costs, 2015-2017

Year Custodial Utilities Maintenance Total Maintenance

Costs Allocated PO&M ($)

Variance

2015-2016 $116,423.27 $66,677.47 $54,348.76 $237,449.50 $145,719 ($91,730.50)

2016-2017 99,126.34 73,824.28 42,716.96 215,667.58 129,528 (86,139.50)

2017-2018 97,708.76 78,763.54 122,262.83 298,735.13 114,480 (184,255.13)

The maintenance costs have far surpassed the allocated PO&M funding received for the school (see

allocated PO&M funds – page 8). Although the District leases 1,232 square metres of the school, the net

revenue received in the 2017-2018 school year was $61,058.57, this amount does not cover the

Maintenance Costs shortfall of $184,255.13.

If St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School were to close, the above budgeted funds for maintenance costs

would be used by the District to offset deficits. The operational costs at St. Brendan Catholic

Elementary/Junior High School are not expected to increase significantly with the potential addition of

St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School students.

Possible Use of School Building

In the event the Board of Trustees approves the closure of St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School, the

school facility may be repurposed to accommodate alternative District educational programming

currently being offered at St. Margaret Centre for Diverse Learning. The educational programming

would take place on the first floor of the school and the 100 Voices and YMCA childcare would occupy

the second floor. For families accessing the childcare services offered by the YMCA at St. Gabriel

Catholic Elementary School, transportation between St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School

and St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School would be made available at no cost.

Moving

The District understands the efforts of staff, parents and community members in supporting the students at St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School. If St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School were to close, all items such as equipment, technologies and reading materials would be re-directed to St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School.

Doing this would reduce any costs incurred by St. Brendan Catholic Elementary/Junior High School in

receiving St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School students. Any dollars fundraised by the St. Gabriel

Catholic Elementary School Parent Council would be reassigned to the St. Brendan Catholic

Elementary/Junior High School Parent Council.

Additional Information

• Current St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School attendance area - Appendix A

• Proposed St. Brendan Catholic Elementary School attendance area, 2019-2020 - Appendix B

• St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School Public Meeting Invitation Poster - Appendix C

• Edmonton Catholic School District - Three Year Capital Plan, 2019-2022 - Appendix D

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APPENDIX A

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APPENDIX B

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APPENDIX C

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APPENDIX D

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