April 11, 2012
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As you may be aware, our School District has a unique challenge, one not faced by most other districts in British Columbia. While we are fortunate to not be dealing with declining enrolment and school closures, we do have challenges that result from rapidly increasing enrolment. One of the significant issues is that our facilities cannot keep pace with student enrolment. This issue surfaces in the District in a number of ways: such as over-populated schools, choice programs frequently under the threat of relocation, schools being unable to accommodate all in-catchment students, and students facing limited course options.
Although the District has recently been assured of capital grants from the provincial government, we continue to seek additional funding to build new schools. Even with a substantial infusion of capital funding to address the enrolment/space issue faced by our District, Sullivan Heights will not be able to adequately address our challenges in the short-term. Presently, approximately 800 new community members move to Surrey each month. The Board has committed to an action plan to deal with Surrey’s growth, so that we can continue to meet our students’ needs for quality education.
The District’s action plan for secondary schools includes the following:
1. Portable review
Portables can no longer be seen as a long-term solution to our physical capacity issues for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to the impact on our operating budget. Portables cost the District an estimated $120,000 each to purchase and install with additional ongoing maintenance costs. This funding could be used to hire more teachers and other staff to support our students. As such, the District has determined not to increase the number of portables at secondary schools.
2. Commitment to accommodate in-catchment and District Program students
The District is asking that all secondary schools design schedules that ensure in-catchment and District Program students can be accommodated. Schools are assessing needs and identifying scheduling options that fit their local context. Options for the 2011-2012 school year may include:
a) Increasing the number of distributed learning (on-line) course options for students.
b) Increasing the number of courses offered outside of the regular timetable. All secondary schools presently offer select courses outside the regular timetable.
c) Introducing a flexible/alternate schedule at schools where capacity is a significant and growing concern, and can no longer be addressed by the options above. Earl Marriott Secondary and Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary adopted a version of this option this school year. Staff and community input will be considered as school and district administrators work to ensure the variables of time and space are effectively managed and that proposed schedules meet the unique needs of each school community. Opportunities to discuss and learn more about flexible/alternate schedule options include upcoming Parent Advisory Committee meetings, staff discussions, and parent and student information sessions related to course selection.
A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is attached
As we investigate our options for Sullivan Heights Secondary for next year, I will be keeping parents/guardians informed of the process and ensure it is an ongoing agenda item at each PAC meeting for the remainder of this school year.
If you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call at school (604) 543-8749.
Sincerely,
R. Hayes
Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As you may be aware, our School District has a unique challenge, one not faced by most other districts in British Columbia. While we are fortunate to not be dealing with declining enrolment and school closures, we do have challenges that result from rapidly increasing enrolment. One of the significant issues is that our facilities cannot keep pace with student enrolment. This issue surfaces in the District in a number of ways: such as over-populated schools, choice programs frequently under the threat of relocation, schools being unable to accommodate all in-catchment students, and students facing limited course options.
Although the District has recently been assured of capital grants from the provincial government, we continue to seek additional funding to build new schools. Even with a substantial infusion of capital funding to address the enrolment/space issue faced by our District, Sullivan Heights will not be able to adequately address our challenges in the short-term. Presently, approximately 800 new community members move to Surrey each month. The Board has committed to an action plan to deal with Surrey’s growth, so that we can continue to meet our students’ needs for quality education.
The District’s action plan for secondary schools includes the following:
1. Portable review
Portables can no longer be seen as a long-term solution to our physical capacity issues for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to the impact on our operating budget. Portables cost the District an estimated $120,000 each to purchase and install with additional ongoing maintenance costs. This funding could be used to hire more teachers and other staff to support our students. As such, the District has determined not to increase the number of portables at secondary schools.
2. Commitment to accommodate in-catchment and District Program students
The District is asking that all secondary schools design schedules that ensure in-catchment and District Program students can be accommodated. Schools are assessing needs and identifying scheduling options that fit their local context. Options for the 2011-2012 school year may include:
a) Increasing the number of distributed learning (on-line) course options for students.
b) Increasing the number of courses offered outside of the regular timetable. All secondary schools presently offer select courses outside the regular timetable.
c) Introducing a flexible/alternate schedule at schools where capacity is a significant and growing concern, and can no longer be addressed by the options above. Earl Marriott Secondary and Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary adopted a version of this option this school year. Staff and community input will be considered as school and district administrators work to ensure the variables of time and space are effectively managed and that proposed schedules meet the unique needs of each school community. Opportunities to discuss and learn more about flexible/alternate schedule options include upcoming Parent Advisory Committee meetings, staff discussions, and parent and student information sessions related to course selection.
A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is attached
As we investigate our options for Sullivan Heights Secondary for next year, I will be keeping parents/guardians informed of the process and ensure it is an ongoing agenda item at each PAC meeting for the remainder of this school year.
If you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call at school (604) 543-8749.
Sincerely,
R. Hayes
Principal
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