There is a Grade Change Study that could result in grade 7 & 8 students being moved from Runnymede.  We want you to tell us what you think about it, and here’s how:

1. Parent Focus Group meeting
At this meeting eight Runnymede parents (selected by lottery) and two Parent Council members will have an in-depth discussion with TDSB Staff and Trustee Pilkey about the options available to us. There will be equal representation from the French and English streams.

If you have thoughts, opinions or ideas to share, please e-mail them to Parent Council Chair Dale Cadeau and Principal Dennis before the first focus group meeting on Monday January 11th.

2. Parent Council Meeting
Tuesday January 19 @ 7pm in the Senior Gym (babysitting available)
Our Ward 7 Trustee Robin Pilkey will attend our next Parent Council meeting to speak about the study.

We encourage every Runnymede parent to come to this meeting.  If you are unclear about what is proposed or what could happen and when, this is your chance to get information first hand.

 

The Grade Change Study is the most important issue affecting our children at Runnymede this year.  Please set aside some time this week to read and understand what is involved in the study.

Thank you
Dale Cadeau & Jackie Marrie
Parent Council

At the November Council meeting, representatives from the TDSB presented information about the Grade Change Study and upcoming construction plans for RPS.

Select here for the minutes of the November 25th, 2015 meeting.

If you have questions about the Grade Change Study or the construction plans, please email Council Co-Chair, Dale Cadeau or our principal Amelia Dennis.

 

Dear Runnymede families,

As we prepare for another wonderful holiday season, we have so much to be thankful for. Let us remember those less fortunate than us and share our festive spirit. Life is busy for all of us, so we hope that you will truly be able to relax and reconnect with your family & friends over the Christmas break.

2016 brings us closer to our school’s Centennial. There is so much to look forward to! Until next year, stay safe and stay warm! Oh, and hope for a white Christmas?!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

From Runnymede Parent Council
Dale Cadeau, Co-Chair
Jackie Marrie, Co-Chair

We had many parents express an interest in being a part of this focus group and as a result will not be able to invite all those who volunteered.

As stated in our original information letter, there is no formal TDSB process for selecting members for this focus group. As such, our Council Chair Dale Cadeau and Principal Amelia Dennis have randomly selected (draw) the following parents to participate in the focus group meeting to take place on Monday January 11, 6:30 — 8:00 pm at Runnymede P.S., in the Library: Pro Sarbadhikari, Sharon Kelly, Camas Winsor, Michael Davidson, Amy Lavender Harris, Allison Madigan, Kathleen Hyatt and Kyle Walker.

Remember, TDSB Staff is interested in hearing parent opinions, proposed solutions and any brainstorming on possible alternate solutions. If any of you who would like to relay your concerns or ideas, please e-mail our Parent Council Chair Dale Cadeau and Amelia Dennis prior to January 11th; we would be happy to share your input.

Keep in mind that this is only a discussion/brainstorming session and no decisions will be made at this meeting.

We are also happy to announce that Trustee Pilkey has agreed to meet with Runnymede parents at our next Council meeting on January 19 th, at 7 pm in the Senior Gym, to answer any questions or address concerns.

Want to know more?  Read the Qs and As  about the focus group.

The TDSB is doing a number of studies in Ward 7, including one specific to Runnymede PS.

The study affecting Runnymede is slated to begin in January 2016 and will be a Grade Change Study, in which they will consider making Runnymede a junior school from K-6, with all grade 7 and 8 students (both French Immersion and English streams) moving off site. Options being explored are moving students to Annette Jr. & Sr. PS and a campus arrangement with Western Technical School, amongst others.

In November, our Superintendent Jane Phillips-Long, attended our Parent Council meeting to continue the discussion.

The first step of the Grade Change Study is to form a Local Feasibility Team (LFT). The team will include TDSB Planning staff, the neighbouring Principals, affected Superintendents, program staff and our local Trustee, Robin Pilkey. This team will look at enrollment projection data and explore potential solutions – short- and long- term – to address overcrowding at our school.

A parent Focus Group that will advise the LFT will be held on Monday January 11, 2016.  If you are interested in participating in this process please fill in the form on the Grade Change Study Page.

The LFT may conclude one of the following options:

1. That monitoring Runnymede’s enrolment is acceptable in the short-term, and that a significant change in demographic data will bring the team back together when needed;
2. That a Program Area Review Team (PART) should be formed to further examine immediate and long-term solutions. If a PART is recommended, this team would include all members of the LFT plus parent representatives.
   • The team would meet at least twice to review the data and discuss solutions.
   • A public meeting would be scheduled to share information and seek input.
   • This PART committee would then bring recommendations to staff and to the Director of Education.

There is NO grade change proposed for Runnymede PS for 2016-17. This regulated process will ensure all points are considered and in place before any 7/8 students would be moved off site. As more information becomes available, we will continue to update the Grade Change Study page.

If you have questions about the Grade Change Study or the Local Feasibility Team process, please contact our Ward 7 Parent Rep Krista Wylie or our School Council Co-Chair Dale Cadeau.