Media Release: Immediate Release: June 17, 2011

(Brockville) – The Upper Canada District School Board will move ahead with plans to introduce Grades 7-12 at Brockville Collegiate Institute (BCI), Thousand Islands Secondary School, Athens District High School, Almonte and District High School and Carleton Place High School in the 2012-13 school year.

The decision to proceed follows tours of these schools this week by Director David K. Thomas, Planning and Research Officer Phil Dawes, Superintendent of Human Resources Charlotte Patterson, and Chief Information and Facilities Officer Jeremy Hobbs. The team visited all five schools to confirm that each school has appropriate space for Grades 7and 8 students during the 2012-13 school year.

“At each site there will be some changes required, but we have now conclusively determined that every site will be able to handle the transition to a Grades 7-12 school,” said Thomas.

Chair Greg Pietersma added that the Board’s Building 2020 process, which has overseen the transition to Grades 7-12 schools, continues to be a success.

Grades 7 –12 structures have already been created at Char-Lan District High School, Glengarry District High School, Seaway District High School, South Grenville District High School, and Tagwi Secondary School.

This September, Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School, Gananoque Secondary School, North Dundas District High School, Rideau District High School and St. Lawrence Intermediate/Secondary School will begin their change to a Grades 7-12 structure.

“We look forward to this change and firmly believe the new format will be just as successful and have just as positive an impact on our students at these schools as it has in our other schools,” said Pietersma.

Trustees are excited about bringing the successful format to five more schools. They will institute the same changes that have ensured the safety and security of Grades 7 and 8 students in other 7-12 schools, such as separate bell times, gym time and lunch hours, and assigned wings for Grades 7 and 8 students.

“This is a great opportunity for our Grades 7 and 8 students to embrace the wonderful and exciting possibilities available to them in a high school setting while maintaining their individuality as intermediate students,” said Jeff McMillan, trustee for Brockville and Augusta.

“After visiting schools in our Board where integration has occurred, I’m comfortable and confident that this is a safe and positive transition for both students and staff. I’m excited for everyone involved.”

“I think it’s a good move because I think it’s a natural setting for Grades 7 and 8 students to be in,” added Ward 4 Trustee John McAllister, whose area includes Athens District High School.

“And for Athens District High School in particular I think it will be a lifeline for that high school. If we do it right, get the right courses and provide students with continuity as they move to the senior grades, it will serve them well.”

Staff members are also pleased with the decision.

“It will allow the intermediate students greater opportunities for learning,” explained Principal Laurie McCabe of Almonte and District High School.

“They will have access to shop classes and to a bigger gym than many of them have now. There will be mentoring opportunities between our high school students and our intermediate students. And our secondary staff members will have greater opportunities to work with our intermediate staff to ensure an easier transition for Grade 8 students into high school.”

“We can see all the enhanced program opportunities we can provide for our Grades 7 and 8 students,” added BCI Principal Don Lewis. “This could also provide for more opportunities for the two Brockville high schools to work together to better meet the needs of all our students.”

With the confirmation to proceed, public (transition team) meetings will be organized and scheduled for each Grades 7-12 school throughout the fall of 2011 to share information with parents, students and school staff in preparation for September 2012.

For more information, please click on the Building 2020 link of the UCDSB Web site at www.ucdsb.on.ca or call:

Greg Pietersma                                                  David Thomas

Chair                                                                Director of Education

Upper Canada District School Board                        Upper Canada District School Board

613-290-0698                                                     613-342-0371 ext. 1234

Terry Simzer

Director of Communications

Upper Canada District School Board

613-342-0371 ext. 1119