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Option 3: Program/Location Expansion

This option would involve increasing the number of school sites that offer a specific program. May involve boundary changes and/or grade configuration changes to balance enrolment between schools.

In tricider, comments are captured as Ideas, support is captured as Votes and additional feedback is captured as Pros and Cons. Ideas that garner the most support rise to the top of the list. Please note that just because an idea rises to the top of the list does not necessarily mean it will be implemented. The decision-making process will consider all combined input and feedback along with CBE values and planning principles, available space in schools, financial sustainability, government legislation and more. Together, all of this must be carefully considered in making recommendations and decisions.


saved
Ideas
Pros and cons
 
Votes
Make the French Immersion program the #1 priority for new space for "alternative programs" - we're in Canada.
In-person session March 6, 2018
 
Change School Act.
2
 
French Immersion should be removed as an "alternative program". As a bilingual country a higher ... more
by CB
14
 
We live in a global world and Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic are worth knowing. If we had late imm... more
by C
3
 
CBE maintains that they offer "choice". Not exactly true given many communities who choose an "a... more
by Dee
3
 
60
Vote

JL, Mazlina Navarre, SF and 57 more

Put French Immersion as second stream in new schools in suburbs, e.g., Tuscany, Royal Oak
In-person session March 6, 2018
 
These parents want French Immersion.
2
 
Parents in Evanston want French Immersion close by as well
by Emma
1
 
The capacity theoretically exists for these kids already at the local community schools, whether ... more
by MikeFoxtrot
 
Maybe. Challenge: Are there enough teachers in Calgary who can fluently teach in both English AND... more
by teacher
1
 
We chose a community specifically due to the proximity of English only, French Immersion, and Pri... more
by Kaaren Murray
2
49
Vote

KD, Mazlina Navarre, SF and 46 more

Offer a dual track program in a school that has space (i.e., University School).
In-person session March 6, 2018
 
In general, this is a good idea. I can tell you that University School is at capacity already, u... more
by David Keegan
1
34
Vote

Luis N., Kaaren Murray, JP and 31 more

Obligation to parents who chose english education in elementary school, committed to the late immersion program. Only opportunity for late immersion is in junior high. Don't take this opportunity away.
In-person session April 9, 2018
 
Option to learn French later very important
by Kb
4
31
Vote

JL, Mazlina Navarre, Jessica and 28 more

Another program in the NW corner of zone.
In-person session April 9, 2018
 
Which schools have a declining enrolment in the NW? Build a new program there (eg Panorama Hills)
3
30
Vote

JL, Kaaren Murray, M and 27 more

Opportunity: Identify elementary schools that have space/or declining enrolment to add a French cohort.
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
K-6 program
2
 
Agree ... Panorama Hills has had a significant decline over the past few years.
26
Vote

SF, Kaaren Murray, M and 23 more

Do a physical expansion and update at Branton. Add more classrooms and new gym at Branton would be less costly then new school.
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
Maybe. Depends on the cost estimate of these reno's compared to the budget allocated by the gov'... more
1
 
Why not use portables?
by C
2
 
Re: portables - Branton already has portables. They are not a permanent solution and come with th... more
by teacher
1
26
Vote

Mazlina Navarre, Jessica, teacher and 23 more

Change Hidden Valley from dual track to French Immersion.
In-person session March 6, 2018
 
And force all the English track students to bus out of their own neighbourhood? No - expanding th... more
by Stephanie
4
 
Schools near Hidden Valley are full and wouldn't be able to house the large number of English pro... more
1
22
Vote

Jessica, Dee, P20 and 19 more

Increase late immersion option in far NW communities.
In-person session March 6, 2018
20
Vote

JL, Jessica, David Keegan and 17 more

If too many schools in suburbs are built there is potential that inner city schools are closed. Long term planning needs to take this into account to avoid this...Parkdale as example...would be great location for overcapacity NW elementary schools.
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
Housing for many young families is too pricey in Parkdale, that's why we live way out in the burb... more
 
Perhaps some of the alternate languages (Spanish, Mandarin, German) etc could make use of a schoo... more
by Dave
4
 
Parkdale school now houses Westmount Charter. They have built a new playground and become well es... more
by JL
19
Vote

Rhonda, KT, Narda Simpson and 16 more

New school in NW (building) junior and senior high for continuing - Tuscany/Varsity.
In-person session April 9, 2018
18
Vote

Jessica, David Keegan, Susan and 15 more

Increase programs and decrease travel times - keep kids closer to schools.
In-person session March 6, 2018
18
Vote

JL, Kaaren Murray, Jessica and 15 more

Opportunity: Consider aging communities and trend toward younger families returning to inner city - look longer term so we don't solve today's concerns while missing those to come.
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
Inner city neighborhoods are doubling houses every time two infills replace a house and this is l... more
2
17
Vote

JL, Kaaren Murray, Jessica and 14 more

Challenge: Currently no polling for late immersion to support planning. Reactive based on in-year enrolment. This is very true for late immersion.
In-person session April 9, 2018
 
This is no different than lack of "polling" for early immersion. Late immersion continues to show... more
10
 
This is as much about overall population growth as demand for FI regardless of entry point. Late... more
by Susan
1
 
Challenge: parents/students often do not have plan in mind for Jr High until child is in grade 4 ... more
by JL
1
17
Vote

JL, SF, P15 and 14 more

Lobby government for new school in far NW quadrants (in annexed areas already designated).
In-person session March 6, 2018
 
Rocky Ridge has available land set aside for a school back when the community was first being bui... more
by Maryanna
1
15
Vote

JL, Luis N., Jessica and 12 more

Problem: Aberhart is bursting.
In-person session March 6, 2018
 
Some classes do not have enough desks for the number of students!
3
 
Cannot continue to increase students in the elementary FSL or Late-French program without conside... more
by SF
3
 
Moving some of the FI kids from Aberhart to Crescent Heights would definitely be beneficial
by Mom of 2
1
13
Vote

JL, Lara, Mom of 2 and 10 more

My preference would be a split program school that is local over a solo program school a long bus ride away.
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
Challenge: There is evidence to suggest solo program schools are able to provide a higher quality... more
by teacher
14
Vote

AMP, Claire, Mom of 2 and 11 more

Opportunity: Add a school to the far N / NW.
In-person session March 6, 2018
12
Vote

Jessica, Claire, Dee and 9 more

Are there class/schools that were closed due to low enrolment that could be repurposed? (e.g., Parkdale Elementary).
In-person session April 9, 2018
 
Existing CBE offices.
3
 
Yes. Use buildings that already exist. There is lots of space in the city that CBE offices could ... more
by Mom of 2
1
 
Westmount Charter uses Parkdale in addition to CBE offices
by JL
1
11
Vote

Jessica, Mom of 2, David Keegan and 8 more

Opportunity: Portable classrooms - offer this.
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
Easy to say, just add portables. But you need to consider the resources in the school. Many el... more
1
 
Agreed. Increasing student numbers taxes resources.
 
Portables are already being used. They are not a permanent solution.
by teacher
 
The newer types of portables available now are much better than the older ones we may be familiar... more
by JL
11
Vote

JL, Jessica, C and 8 more

Opportunity: New programs of intensive French or middle immersion.
In-person session April 9, 2018
 
We live in a global world and Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic are worth knowing. If we had late imm... more
by C
1
10
Vote

Jessica, David Keegan, SF and 7 more

Adding portables to increase space/introduce French Immersion.
In-person session March 6, 2018
 
Yes, as a short-term piece in a longer term plan. Building new schools takes time, so this could ... more
by teacher
2
9
Vote

JL, Jessica, David Keegan and 6 more

Contextual pieces - there is room in other N Calgary schools for French Immersion expansion. We are not in need of sites to expand French Immersion Pgm - we have them.
In-person session March 6, 2018
9
Vote

Jessica, S, Katy Emanuel and 6 more

Shorter commute.
In-person session March 21, 2018
9
Vote

Kaaren Murray, Jessica, Claire and 6 more

Increase potential for neighbourhood kids attend same school (e.g., English & French combined).
In-person session March 6, 2018
 
Make dual system in schools with some capacity (e.g., Aberhart model).
3
8
Vote

Claire, Mom of 2, P6 and 5 more

Do not mixed french immersion with english program in the same building.
by Jocelyn
 
Some research has proved that being immersion centre (Only having french immersion in the school... more
by Jocelyn
7
 
My children have attended an Eng/Fr and French only school. As Jocelyn stated, the single track s... more
by AMP
 
Hmmm... these sentiments were not shared in earlier comments, only that blending late and continu... more
by JL
1
7
Vote

AMP, teacher, Lara and 4 more

New program to accommodate late French Immersion.
In-person session March 6, 2018
7
Vote

P7, P6, P5 and 4 more

What are the capacities of the other CBE schools?
In-person session March 6, 2018
7
Vote

Susan, P6, P5 and 4 more

Challenge: New schools take too long to build.
In-person session March 21, 2018
7
Vote

JL, P6, P5 and 4 more

The French Immersion schools are very close together. It would be beneficial to the far NW to have one there. French Immersion/English combined?
In-person session March 21, 2017
7
Vote

JL, Jessica, David Keegan and 4 more

Redesignate a charter school.
In-person session April 9, 2018
 
Pretty disruptive and unfair to those at that school.
7
Vote

ct, P6, P5 and 4 more

This is the best option and the only long term solution.
 
completely agree! We need more school in the suburbs offering french immersion.
by Emma
4
6
Vote

JL, Kaaren Murray, User#8675309 and 3 more

Expand both Branton and banff trail school. Parents are choosing this school for a reason beyond designated area. Great reputations. Adding programs to other schools will cause French enrollment to drop. It would be a real shame to lose these kids. Expanding both schools solves the problem and co... more
 
While I agree with this comment, it does not address the high school overcrowding issue. Must al... more
by Shannon
4
6
Vote

JL, Jessica, teacher and 3 more

Access trumps cohort-continuity.
In-person session April 9, 2018
6
Vote

David Keegan, P5, P4 and 3 more

New program/class in-between intensive French immersion in NW/N Central from Grade 5 (like in Elboya school SW).
In-person session April 9, 2018
6
Vote

SF, P5, P4 and 3 more

Open new school space in far NW. Tuscany/Royal Oak Rocky Ridge French Immersion.
In-person session March 6, 2018
6
Vote

JL, Jessica, David Keegan and 3 more

Calgary Municipal Development Plan promotes complete communities - policies moving this direction - how does CBE account for and prepare for this?
In-person session March 21, 2018
5
Vote

Kaaren Murray, P4, P3 and 2 more

New communities but no new schools.
In-person session April 9, 2018
 
This is an age-old problem! There still is no public school on the land designated for it in the... more
by Kaaren Murray
5
Vote

P5, P4, P3 and 2 more

Opportunity: New schools being built - offer French alternative Immersion not only francophone.
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
French Immersion is an "alternative program" within the CBE, which is an English school board. In... more
by teacher
5
Vote

Claire, P4, P3 and 2 more

Challenge: Obtaining qualified teachers for principals for new schools.
In-person session April 9, 2018
 
And existing schools.
4
Vote

P4, P3, P2 and 1 more

Reclaim charter schools for CBE programs. Make charters build to suit.
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
Private schools too.
4
Vote

P4, P3, P2 and 1 more

Late immersion to Vanier vs Branton - Vanier has capacity.
In-person session March 6, 2018
 
NO - blending is GOOD. Draw the boundaries where it makes good sense.
6
 
boudaries should apply to all students regardless of entry point to FI.
by Susan
2
 
Just because you want late immersion should not mean you need to go too far from your community
by Kb
2
 
This is the same as early immersion. We had to make the choice to bus 45 minutes in Kindergarten ... more
by Mom of 2
5
Vote

Mom of 2, P4, P3 and 2 more

Open an French Immersion program Central North.
In-person session March 6, 2018
4
Vote

JL, Claire, David Keegan and 1 more

Opportunity: What other school sites/buildings does the CBE own? (e.g., Jerry Potts) - reclaim existing sites?
In-person session March 6, 2018
4
Vote

P4, P3, P2 and 1 more

Would not support adding one French Immersion class per grade to a regular program school.
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
Agreed, although sometimes it takes a couple of years for a program to grow. A couple of classes... more
1
3
Vote
JB
P1
P2
For Jr. High level (grade7-9), we need to make sure we have at least 4 classes per grades.
by Jocelyn
 
If we have only two classes per grades, it will force teachers to teach 3-4 different subjects wh... more
by Jocelyn
3
Vote
Claudia
Dominique
Rhonda
What is being done to enhance pool of substitute teachers?
In-person session April 9, 2018
 
FYTT program & out-of-province recruitment. CBE is definitely pushing to bring in French-speaking... more
by teacher
3
Vote
C
P1
SF
Add HS French Immersion to Crescent Heights. This would alleviate pressure on Aberhart while allowing another inner city school to be remain useful.
by Mom of 2
3
Vote
Kaaren Murray
Lara
Mom of 2
Make French Immersion available at the Evanston public school
by Emma
3
Vote
David Keegan
Dee
Jessica
Consider French bilingual.
In-person session April 9, 2018
3
Vote
P1
P2
P3
Opportunity: Add more schools/make existing programs dual track instead of solely single track French Immersion.
In-person session March 6, 2018
3
Vote
Claire
P1
P2
Opportunity: Schools keep growing with word of mouth/new families moving into older neighbourhoods. (French alternative).
In-person session March 21, 2018
3
Vote
P1
P2
P3
Opportunity: Land development/designated to CBE to build new school in well developed areas of the city.
In-person session March 21, 2018
3
Vote
P1
P2
P3
The whole system needs more space. Moving kids within the existing facilities just means all are too full. Expansion seems a necessity.
In-person session March 21, 2018
3
Vote
P1
P2
P3
This option is my preference. Build more schools, consider dual-track program in new schools.
In-person session March 21, 2018
3
Vote
P1
P2
P3
How do you engage families that don't have kids in school yet?
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
It makes sense to engage with families that have pre-school kids. But families move and intention... more
by MikeFoxtrot
1
 
Precisely the concern with this issue! Parents of kids in grade 5 will be directly affected by th... more
by JL
2
Vote
MikeFoxtrot
P1
Are there enough teachers in Alberta/Calgary who can teach in French?
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
Fluent teacher vs. having kids speaking English around
1
 
Layout of school could address concern
 
I would say no based on the lack of french substitutes.
by C
 
Related challenge: Are there enough teachers in Calgary who can fluently teach in both English AN... more
by teacher
 
If we continue to have access to early and late French Immersion then some of those kids would gr... more
by Kaaren Murray
1
2
Vote
P1
P2
Opportunity: More long term solution.
In-person session April 9, 2018
2
Vote
Kaaren Murray
Katy Emanuel
Take back Parkdale.
In-person session March 6, 2018
2
Vote
P1
P2
Consider opening new schools in new communities as dual-track.
In-person session March 6, 2018
2
Vote
P1
P2
Opportunity: Add modulars to existing French Immersion schools and exist reg. schools to allow parallel French Immersion program (e.g., TMC).
In-person session March 6, 2018
2
Vote
David Keegan
P1
Opportunity: French Immersion maybe a more "community" school if there are more schools kids will go to are closer to their house.
In-person session March 6, 2018
2
Vote
Jessica
Kaaren Murray
Banff Trail K-5, Branton 6-9 no late immersion or 6-8 if late immersion, Aberhart 9-12 or 10-12.
In-person session March 21, 2018
2
Vote
P1
P2
Challenge: Budget - cut other programs and accommodate more schools (phys. ed, music).
In-person session March 6, 2018
 
No. Don't cut such import programs. Our children need well rounded educations that include PE & m... more
by Mom of 2
3
2
Vote
P1
P2
I think you can't have a discussion about program expansion without bringing in discussion about transportation.
In-person session March 6, 2018
 
But if the program expanded to more communities then wouldn't more kids be able to go to schools ... more
by Kaaren Murray
1
Vote
P1
Merge the programs at GP Vanier and Branton and find two junior high schools in close proximity. Split the teaching staff between these two "new" programs. Students at GP Vanier are disadvantaged because of the small size of the program. Only three continuing french classes (1 per grade) and o... more
1
Vote
Claudette Cloutier
Pay and train existing teachers to speak/teach French to a high standard. Or move teachers who teach French options into immersion programs .
by Rob
Teachers within the Cbe may embrace the opportunity to speak, read, and write French. Give more p... more
1
Vote
Rob
Challenge: To ensure quality of French immersion program in any new schools.
In-person session April 9, 2018
1
Vote
Celeste
Proximity to program is crucial!
In-person session March 6, 2018
1
Vote
P1
Challenge: Are there sufficient qualified French teachers?
In-person session March 6, 2018
1
Vote
JB
Opportunity: Put a north school for Panorama kids.
In-person session March 6, 2018
1
Vote
Jessica
Opportunity: Clearly we need more capacity in French Immersion this is what we need to do.
In-person session March 6, 2018
1
Vote
Kaaren Murray
How to facilitate a potential dual track and/or expansion? What is the best use of resources?
In-person session March 6, 2018
1
Vote
P1
Challenge: Long-term issues with balancing populations at various schools.
In-person session March 21, 2018
1
Vote
P1
Challenge: Impact to families with children at different schools.
In-person session March 21, 2018
1
Vote
P1
Challenge: Busing/transportation issues.
In-person session March 21, 2018
1
Vote
P1
We live in a global world and Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic are worth knowing. If we had late immersion to these programs some parents might opt to give their children the opportunity to be multi lingual taking pressure off the french stream all the way through.
by C
 
Is the CBE equipped to offer parents all the range of options parents can possibly ask for? It se... more
by Celeste
1
Vote
Jessica
How do you predict?
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
Surveys?
0
Vote
Challenge: Reactive based on in-year enrolment.
In-person session April 9, 2018
0
Vote
Take back CBE schools from charter schools.
In-person session March 6, 2018
0
Vote
Challenge: Available capacity may not be physically proximate to where you need it.
In-person session March 6, 2018
0
Vote
Challenge: New boundaries - existing students would have to change schools.
In-person session March 6, 2018
0
Vote
Increase accessibility to more families.
In-person session March 6, 2018
0
Vote
Are there enough qualifed staff to support expansion?
In-person session March 6, 2018
0
Vote
How does this impact programs like music? Art? P.E.? When are they cut?
In-person session March 6, 2018
0
Vote
Challenge: Slow to build new French Immersion community around school.
In-person session March 21, 2018
0
Vote
Challenge: Increasing expansion at a school can overpopulate a school.
In-person session March 21, 2018
0
Vote
Does this option include leasing temporary space/portables or school expansion?
In-person session March 21, 2018
0
Vote
Probably most needed for K-6 and 7-9. For 10-12 many choose alternative to French Immersion.
In-person session March 21, 2018
0
Vote
Would help most schools that are at or near capacity.
In-person session March 21, 2018
 
Only school not near capacity (Vanier).
0
Vote

Comments

JL

Again, plenty of opportunity to GROUP options to make "voting" easier. Several repetitive "ideas" and pro/con arguments even between Options!

Mon, Apr 30, 2018

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