School review continues with second round of public meetings November 1 to 10

The Public Schools Branch encourages Islanders to participate in public meetings being held November 1 through November 10 to share their ideas on the school review.

Under the School Change Policy, schools must be reviewed at least every five years. “Through this review we want to provide better learning opportunities for all students,” said Public Schools Director Parker Grimmer. “We look forward to and encourage input from our school communities on the opportunities that are available to us.”  

A review is underway to look at the capacity and use of schools in six families of schools: Charlottetown Rural, Morell, Colonel Gray, Kinkora, Westisle, and Montague.
 
The review began with eight public information meetings held October 3 through 20 to help Islanders understand the school review process and how to provide input. The public can provide input online, in writing, or by making presentations at public meetings.
 
Islanders are encouraged to participate in the following upcoming meetings:

• Charlottetown Rural family: Charlottetown Rural High School cafeteria, Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m.
• Morell family: Morell Regional High School gymnasium, Wednesday, November 2 at 7 p.m.
• Colonel Gray family: Colonel Gray High School cafeteria, Thursday, November 3 at 7 p.m.
• Kinkora family: Kinkora Regional High School gymnasium, Monday, November 7 at 7 p.m.
• Westisle family: Westisle Composite High School lecture theatre, Tuesday, November 8 at 7 p.m.
• Montague family: Montague Regional High School cafeteria, Thursday, November 10 at 7 p.m.

The format of these meetings includes opportunities for Islanders to make presentations and to respond. The first two hours will be designated for individuals or groups to make presentations. Islanders are being asked to keep their presentations to up to ten minutes in length to allow for as many presentations as possible. During the third hour, people will have opportunity to provide comment on the ideas presented.
 
Individuals and groups who wish to present their ideas for change at the public meetings can do so by booking a time in advance by contacting mwgregory@gov.pe.ca or by calling 902-620-0944. Presenters are invited to bring accompanying written submissions. More information on the overall process, data on each family of schools, factors to be considered by the board in making change, and ideas that have already been submitted is available at Better Learning For All.

Backgrounder

Public Schools Branch School Change Policy

The School Change Policy requires that schools be reviewed at least every five years. The current School Review began with public information meetings to help people understand the process and how to provide input.
 
During this second phase, the public is asked to provide viable options for change based on the school review factors outlined in the policy. These options will be reviewed and recommendations for change will be made to the Public School Branch Board of Directors by January 2017.
 
During the third phase, more public meetings will be held to allow Islanders to provide input on the recommendations to the Board of Directors before they are finalized in March. Any changes will be implemented before the start of the 2017 school year.

Media contact:
Jean Doherty
Education, Early Learning and Culture
902-314-5702
jmdoherty@gov.pe.ca