Heather Latter
Most parents are not in a rush for their children to grow up, which is why those of Grades 6 and 7 students at J.W. Walker have concerns over their kids heading to high school this fall.
The Rainy River District School Board last month approved the move of Grade 7-8 students to Fort Frances High School to address over-capacity at the west-end elementary school.
Bill Daley, System Principal/Transition Co-ordinator, explained J.W. Walker School is at 110 percent capacity, with three portables on site.
When primary class size caps were introduced in the early 2000s, the school began to experience accommodation pressures.
Parents received a letter from the school board Feb. 3 informing them of the change, effective Aug. 29.
“The Grade 7 and 8 students will have a separate area from classes, and follow the curriculum as they would have at an elementary school, while receiving the benefit of earlier access to high school amenities such as better athletic facilities and a larger library,” the letter noted.
A meeting for parents subsequently was held Feb. 23 to help prepare for the transition.
“There wasn’t a ton of parents at the meeting so I’m hoping that there will be more parents [at the next one],” noted Shanda DeGagne-Begin, who has children entering both Grade 7 and Grade 9 this fall.
“I think there were about 20 kids represented and they’ll be moving 60, so only about one-third of parents came out that evening,” she noted.
As such, DeGagne-Begin is encouraging more parents to attend the next meeting set for April 18.
“The biggest thing I wanted to do at that meeting was assure parents that we are listening to their concerns,” said Daley, who gave a PowerPoint presentation answering questions previously submitted to him by parents and ones the Transition Committee had come up with.
Travis Enge, manager of plant operations and maintenance for the school board, also was on hand to help answer questions, as well as high school administration.
“I think the majority of parents just wanted to ensure that the kids weren’t going to be let free to have the independence that high school students have,” said DeGagne-Begin.
“They would be more supervised and we’ve been told that’s what will happen,” she added.
“They won’t be off on their own with the independence of a high school student, so that’s reassuring.”
“My concerns were not only segregation from the older students, but also the support that [my son] would receive in that bigger setting without the benefit of the assistance the students get in class now,” noted parent Stephanie Mann.
“My son does not like change and I was concerned that this change would be too much of an adjustment, and his academics and social demeanor would be inhibited,” she admitted.
But Mann said having her questions and concerns addressed at the Feb. 23 meeting helped to dispel her fears.
“After attending the meeting the other night, I am convinced that this transition to high school for these kids will be just that—a transition,” she noted.
“The students will see familiar faces that they are used to seeing, they will have an area of the school where their classrooms will be located that is apart from the other students, they will have a separate entrance that is separate from the remaining high school students.
“[And] they will be afforded a lot of opportunities they would not otherwise have if they were at J.W. Walker,” she added.
Daley echoed the opportunities that now will be available for these students.
“They will have the opportunity to go to school assemblies, school spirit days, Homecoming, but they will go as a class,” he explained.
He added they also will have access to many other resources, such as music and drama rooms, computer and science labs, a full-size gymnasium, and tech facilities.
But despite the positives, parents still had some concerns.
For instance, DeGagne-Begin said she’s concerned about her daughter losing the opportunity to be one of the “big kids” of the school, providing leadership to the younger students.
But Daley insisted there still will be leadership opportunities and DeGagne-Begin is now hopeful that will be the case.
“Hopefully, we can look for some other opportunities to provide that kind of experience,” she remarked.
“As parents, we will look at how we can make that happen.”
Mann, meanwhile, noted there was some discussion about safety, especially with regards to drugs.
“We were advised that the [high school] administration does everything in their power to report, investigate, and try to stop any drug, violence, or abuse of alcohol,” she said.
“Personally, I feel that a frank discussion should be had with our children, if not already done, about the dangers of drugs and ‘just saying no.’”
DeGagne-Begin also was not happy the students were told about the move to the high school before parents were notified.
“I would have preferred that we had been told prior to the students being told so that we could discuss it with them,” she reasoned.
“I think it’s an issue that is different for every family because every child is different, so this might not be the best fit for every child and I understand that.
“So some parents are going to choose maybe not to go to the high school yet; to choose another school that’s a better fit for their student,” she suggested.
But Daley doesn’t think there will be a significant change in student enrolment at Walker.
“I’m really sold on this,” he enthused. “I think it’s a great idea and I’m committed to making sure this works.”
He added he’s happy with how the first parent meeting went.
“There were questions brought up but lots of positive comments, as well,” he noted.
“The ones who had questions weren’t against it; they just wanted to understand more about how it would work.”
Daley said he understands there is some apprehension, but he wants the parents to know the Transition Committee is trying to cover every possible scenario.
“I’m hopeful that everyone went away feeling like their concerns were heard and we had answers to them,” he added.
DeGagne-Begin noted many questions were addressed but that some things have not been determined yet, such as where the classrooms will be located and which entrance the elementary students will use.
“I’m hopeful on April 18, I can take them on a walk through the school, show them where the classrooms are, where the entrance is,” Daley said.
“We’re going to reconfigure some of the traffic routes so there will be a drop-off spot for those students near their entrance.
“There won’t be much interaction with the high school students,” he added.
While this is new for Fort Frances, Daley noted Grade 7-12 schools are done everywhere.
“It’s worked in Kenora and it’s worked in Atikokan for over 20 years,” he remarked, adding it’s also done in many other places across the province.
Daley said everything will be in place for the new students by the first day of school Aug. 30.
“At the end of the day, this is happening whether I like it or not,” Mann said.
“[But] I am confident the board, and others involved in making this decision, have thought long and hard about how this transition will affect our pride and joy, our children.
“I do not think this decision was taken lightly.
“We have to make the best of an unexpected transition,” Mann added.
“But I think with the lines of communication open between the parents and the board, the kids will have a successful transition and a positive learning experience at the high school.”
For more information and answers to questions regarding the transition, visit www.rrdsb.com/departments/facilities/jw-walker-school-transition
