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Full-day early learning meeting with resistance |
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Once again, the Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) finds itself in the middle of a contentious issue involving parents who are upset over proposed changes that are being made without consultation. Bluewater administration has made the decision to initiate all-day education for junior and senior kindergarten students under the Provincial 'Early Learning' mandate. The new proposed learning initiative will implement full-day early learning for four and five-year-olds at schools throughout Bruce-Grey, including, Clinton Public School, G. C. Huston Public School in Southampton, Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School (KTTPS), Howick Central School, Lucknow Central Public School, Mildmay-Carrick Central School and St. Joseph's Catholic School in Clinton. While the Provincial mandate is to provide an integrated system of education of learning and play, through 'full-day' early learning, many parents, daycare providers and school staff are upset at the proposed change. Local School Board Trustee, Ross King, says that he disagrees with the proposed change. "I have been getting emails from many parents saying that they are upset. The Trustees did not vote on this proposal from the beginning. The decision was made by Administration, but the Trustees and Administration are trying to work together in the best interest of the most people." The new proposed system is proving to be confusing to everyone. One week will see full-day learning on Tuesday and Thursday; the following week will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday ... but the five-day cycle implementation that has to be incorporated does not take into account statutory holidays or teacher professional development (PD) days. "Other boards where this has already been implemented," points out King, "say that the system is chaos!"
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According to King, an Ad Hoc committee has been struck that will include representatives from the many stakeholders that include the Parent Involvement Committee, Daycare staff, First Nations Daycare, the Teachers' Federation of Ontario, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Child and Youth Services along with several others, numbering 15 in total. "Our mandate," adds King, "is to look carefully at the options available after hearing loud and clear that people are not happy with this proposed change. It appeared to be neat and logical but the real issues are not clear and, in reality and the real world, people are concerned that there is great confusion. If the adults are confused, then what is happening with the children?" The newly-struck Ad Hoc committee will present before the Bluewater Schoolboard on April 20th. "We have choices," King points out. "We can make a decision on April 20th or we can ask for further consultation." The two Trustees who will site on the Ad Hoc committee are Jan Johnstone of Kincardine-Huron-Kinloss area and Cindy Aiken of South Bruce. Although King says "....it will be a Trustee majority decision...", given the provincial edict, it seems doubtful. |
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