"The B.C. Education Ministry has abruptly changed its message on school closures and is now urging school boards to think long and hard before shutting more schools."
From the Vancouver Sun today: click to read full article
Thanks to Randi Gurholt-Seary for the link.
BRAVO GARIBALDI!From a letter to the Garibaldi community:
Against all odds Garibaldi, a small kindergarten to Grade 3 Eastside school, slated for closure in September, recently won a signal victory by convincing the NPA- dominated Vancouver school board to keep their school open.
Over a six month period this small school- community put together an innovative 60 page plus brief that COPE trustee Al Blakey described as “ a remarkable and visionary educational document “.
The VSB, while offering a modified proposal that differed from the original Garibaldi submission, recognized the value of the school’s detailed submission with several NPA trustees commending the community for its persistent efforts.
And what an effort.
This involved a remarkable community mobilization project encompassing sustained and varied series of community events, activities, and happenings including all of the following : countless small and large group meetings; door-to-door canvassing for potential new students ; community–wide surveys; a I,000 plus save-our -school petition; a community fair attended by 500; researching and writing an innovative and forward- looking brief with strong emphasis on early childhood education and child care; bussing parents and their children to two separate VSB public meetings;’ hiring’ an amazing local marching band to announce with a flourish their arrival at the final decision-making board meeting and even swamping VSB trustees with over a 100 small teddy bears at a previous board meeting.
All of this -and indeed much more background planning and activities -went into this truly remarkable and sustained community victory which COPE trustees, Allan Wong hailed as “astounding”.
Both COPE trustees flatly stated that while they preferred the original Garibaldi plan, they would vote for the NPA motion before the board, which they amended to include specific mention of an early childhood component.
Bravo Garibaldi parents, community organizations and community activists for a superb achievement!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Noel Herron
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Former elementary school principal and former Liaison Trustee to Garibaldi school ; he is seeking, through the office of the Freedom of Information commissioner, a full copy of the original VSB district-wide facilities review document tabled, in camera ,at a board meeting on June 27,2007. The FOI office has promised a decision on or before September 5, 2008.
Hi folks :Thanks, Noel, for the encouraging words throughout the process. It helped keep us on track.
Congratulations on a great victory last night. All of your hard work ,energy,creativity and innovation paid off in spades,although the NPA board should have accepted plan B --your plan -in full as it is the most relevant and cutting edge in terms of the future for public education in primary classes in this city.
Garibaldi parents were collectively light years ahead of this board and it is truly ironic that they did not accept plan B while on the same evening they were voting to accept a VSB FRAMEWORK for early education.
Al Blakey and I ,as the oldest,--I would prefer most experienced--trustees on the former board agree that we have never seen such positive activism and dynamic enthusiasm--including that wonderful band--- from a small school-community.
All of you deserve official recognition from some other public body or external organization for the outstanding work in community development and parental involvement.
.There is an ongoing story here- a truly inspiring story--behind the meetings(small and large).the telephone calls,the emails.the website, the surveys,the lobbying, the research, busses and band, including the non-stop drive that culminated in last night's victory. As the former Liason Trustee for your school I was delighted to observe your splendid work from the side lines and watch you reach your well -deserved goal.
.BRAVO GARIBALDI !!
Noel Herron
Approve the establishment of a joint community, school and district committee toTrustee Blakey's amendment was accepted.
support and promote the educational programs, particularly the need for and early learning component, at Garibaldi Annex and to
monitor growth in enrolment over the next three years.
The following is from Garibaldi email distribution from Diane Wilmann of Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, reminding us to attend the VSB vote at the public meeting Monday, May 5, on whether to close Garibali Annex.
Hi Everyone,
Just a reminder about getting everyone out on Monday. The Carnival band will be there to cheer us on and buses are now finally confirmed for those needing transport to VSB. 2 Buses will be at Garibaldi at 6pm for loading and will leave promptly to go to VSB at 6:15. Two buses will return at 8:15 – if the meeting is not finished the drivers are willing to wait if we ask. There will be entertainment for children outside the building with the Carnival band and there will be less waiting around than last time. The kids will also get their bears back!
See you all Monday,
Diane
MEETING LOCATION会议地点: Vancouver School Board温哥华教育局,
1580 West Broadway St., Vancouver（位于温哥华1580 West Broadway 街）
MEETING TIME会议时间: 7pm – 9pm (approx.) 晚上7－9点
My name is Karen Georgi and this (members.shaw.ca/stopbcschoolclosures/) is a link to my website and petition. Please have a look and help me to circulate this petition Province wide. There is also a Facebook group "stopbcschoolclosures" to help circulate the petition.I am a parent with two children in public school and started to become interested in the issue of Functional Capacity during our school district's (SD42) school closure process back in September 2007. At this time there were information sessions which welcomed public feedback. Over and over again members of the public asked why classrooms that were utilized by daycares, sensory rooms and other community uses didn't "count" when calculating functional capacity. There are programs the government has implemented such as strong start and this too cannot be factored in. A school can have every classroom utilized and it's official functional capacity could be 75 or 80%. I feel that changing the determination for what constitutes the functional capacity of our schools will help to keep schools open. Please feel free to call me or email if you have any questions.Karen Georgi19559 115 AvenuePitt Meadows604-465-0612
Vancouver School Board
1580 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC, Canada
V6J 5K8Main Switchboard: (604) 713-5000
How can we turn our public schools into vibrant community hubs?
Think City invites you to attend Think Schools – a one-day conference on how citizens across the city can develop a vision for renewing schools taking place on Sunday, April 6.
According to a Vancouver School Board (VSB) report published in September 2007,our city may only have nine of its 64 historic schools left still standing once the school board's facilities renewal process is complete. In place of these important public buildings, the city's schools may be systematically reduced in size, unique programming that defines schools will be excluded from these new buildings due to space limitations, and valuable community amenities such as daycare, seniors care, after-school care and auditoriums will be cut from these neighbourhood anchors.
Keynote speaker Seattle School Board Building Excellence Program Manager Don Gilmore will share solutions that helped preserve and renew his city's public school buildings.
Lunch and reception are included in the registration fee. Pre-registration is required.
When: Sunday, April 6, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews
Tickets: $25 regular, register here
Scholarships: Call 604.216.7246 for details.
Childcare: Call 604.216.7246 for details.
Randi of CUPE with the street theatre crew!
This Sunday March 16th is a very special time for the Garibaldi Community as we host our Community Fair!
Come out to see children's group BONKERS
Join us for a BBQ and Pot Luck
Reggio-Emelia Craft Area
Face Painters and Children's Games, Including all levels Soccer Game
Visits from Community Policing and the Fire Hall
Community Information Tables and
Local Businesses and Groups
Special Guest, Shane Simpson MLA
Special Surprise Guests and more TBA
Lots of fun for the whole family!In the case of rain, the event will be held in the gymnasium.Take action by writing your own letter telling the VSB and Parliamentary Representatives why GARIBALDI ANNEX should stay OPEN.
Some points to help you:
· Think environmental impact: housing density of neighbourhood as a result of the Garibaldi Annex site being developed, further use of cars by parents commuting their children to schools should Garibaldi close;
· Think safety issues: Young children crossing major streets with a long history of fatalities which is monitored by children at present;
· Think loss of community: One less school will only further the school board’s plan to consolidate students into larger schools away from the Annex model. The larger schools will mean children will be traveling greater distances from their neighbourhood, not ensuring children know each other within their immediate community and may ultimately lead to larger classrooms and crowded schools;
· Think finances: We all know that successful children lead to successful adults taking the burden future financial support from society. Children who receive an opportunity for quality early childhood education have been proven to be more successful in the future. This means a financial savings ultimately for the school board;
· Think seismic upgrading: Garibaldi Annex is on the low priority list for the VSB, meaning the facility is much safer than many aging buildings within our neighbourhoods. Further to that, two of the major elementary schools in the neighbourhood are due for seismic upgrading in 2009, which will require over 50% of the school population to be vacated. Where are those children to go? Portables?
· Think opportunity: The proposed theme of “Arts, Culture and Sustainable Community” and the new innovative program components have been developed by the community to address concerns by the VSB will fulfill the financial requirements of the board and Ministry of Education.
· Think partnership: Garibaldi Annex holds strong partnerships with community institutions such as Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, Canucks Family Education Centre, Pacific Immigrant Resource Society, Vancouver Public Library, Evergreen Community Health Centre
· Think children: Think happy faces, knowing your schoolmates, knowing your community. Garibaldi offers a nurturing environment for young children from Kindergarten to grade four to ensure children are equipped with the right tools for a successful future. These tools include, empathy, teamwork, leadership, kindness, creativity, and a strong value placed on community;
Should you wish to mail trustees directly, please write c/o Vancouver School Board, 1580 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 5K8
Trustees:
Allen BlakeyPhone: 604-433-6844allen.blakey@vsb.bc.ca
Ken DenikePhone: 604-889-0564ken.denike@vsb.bc.ca
Carol Gibson (Vice-chair)Phone 604-734-6610carol.gibson@vsb.bc.ca
Eleanor GregoryPhone: 604-737-1980 eleanor.gregory@vsb.bc.ca
Sharon GregsonPhone: 604-505-5725 (cell)sharon.gregson@vsb.bc.ca
Clarence Hansen (Chairperson)Phone: 778-239-9602clarence.hansen@vsb.bc.ca
Don Lee Phone: 604-325-9474don.lee@vsb.bc.ca
Allan WongPhone: 604-437-6074allan.wong@vsb.bc.ca
Shirley WongPhone: 604-897-8389 (cell)shirley.wong@vsb.bc.ca
BC Ministry of Education:
Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister and Deputy Premier
Parliament Buildings - Room 248
Mail: PO Box 9045, STN PROV GOVT,
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Shane Simpson
MLA Vancouver-Hastings2365 Hastings St E. Vancouver, BC V5L 1V6
Phone: 604-775-2277shane.simpson.mla@leg.bc.ca
The entire Garibaldi Community is invited!
Subject: Community Information Session regarding the future of Garibaldi Annex
Date: February 26th, 2008
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Garibaldi Annex, 1025 Slocan St., Vancouver (upstairs in the Library)
Garibaldi Annex needs you! Thanks for all your important feedback at the last Community Meeting on February 12th. Our various committees are working hard to keep up with a tight time-line, and want to keep you up-to-date on our progress!
Come learn about:
Project Coordinator
jfitz@direct.ca
OVERVIEW OF GARIBALDI SCHOOL PROPOSAL – FEB 2008
DISTRIBUTED LEARNING PROGRAM
Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) testing in May - Grade 4 and 7 students are required to write the government mandated FSA’s
They provide students with a Resource Library that gives families access to homelearning-friendly resources such as: thematic kits, books, audiovisual materials, manipulatives, CDs, educational board games, work books, text books, and unit plans. A “portfolio” is created for each child that reflects the Individual Learning Plan. Portfolios are comprised of a collection of student work samples that highlight learning done at home, in the community and at their school. Portfolios are handed in at the end of each term (November, March, June), followed by three-way conferencing. The conference includes assessments and time to develop learning plans and future goals. Reporting by teachers consists of anecdotal comments for K-3, with the addition of letter grades for grades 4 – 8. (This information is available on their website: http://142.33.122.45/nwhl/glance.htm). This program is focused on families who choose homelearning as a choice, rather than families who require online schooling because of travel or demanding special athletic or performance activities.
Garibaldi Distributed Learning Model
Our proposed model is based on the New Westminster Homelearners’ Program. Although the program would be open to any student in the Vancouver Lower Mainland, we would hope to attract a majority of students living in East Vancouver. We propose to design the program to meet the needs of families who prefer home-schooling with ongoing, consistent support from teachers and some classroom learning. We would propose two days per week of classroom time for each student with access to the regular school library and gym. Also, we would encourage participation in special events, sports, celebrations and other “extra-academic” activities with the students enrolled in the regular school program at Garibaldi.
We would have approximately 30 students as a goal for enrolment. Classroom space would be available in the current resource room and shared space with the Family Support Programs operated by Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House and Canuck Place. We expect that one FTE teacher would be required to meet the needs of these students.
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
In June 2006, the VSB signed Memorandum of Understanding entitled, “Advancing an Integrated, Neighbourhood Based System of Early Childhood Development, Learning and Care Services in Vancouver” and broadened its mandate to include support for Early Childhood Development. Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House currently provides quality Early Learning Programs for children aged 0-6 and their parents/caregivers focused on supporting preschool children and their families to prepare for school at Garibaldi. We also offer Early Literacy Programs and resources for children and families and ESL classes for newcomer parents with school-aged and preschool children in collaboration with Pacific Immigrant Resource Society. Canuck Foundation through Partners in Education also currently offers family literacy support for parents with young children, and Vancouver Public Library partners with Frog Hollow to offer literacy programs such as Mother Goose. Evergreen Community Health is also involved in programs at the school by providing health education, health assessment for preschool children and medical referrals as required.
We are proposing to offer a Reggio Emilia Inspired, Group Daycare for twenty-five 3-5 year olds. This full-day child care centre will operate out of the current Kindergarten room and will be a “state-of-the-art” program for children in the community and will meet a great need for such care.
“ARTS, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY” SCHOOL THEME
The Garibaldi community is richly diverse and is characterized by families with different first languages, artistic and creative gifts, alternative lifestyles and many strengths. We propose that the different components of the school, which reflect the diversity of the community, be drawn together by the common thread of “Arts, Culture and Community”. We will develop a set of values and a Mission Statement for the school that recognizes the importance of using artistic expression as a universal language and means of communication. Similarly, the valuing of the richness of the cultural diversity of our community will be equally fundamental in the values and Mission of the Garibaldi. Garibaldi will be a centre of learning within the community, a recognized learning hub where community building activities are essential. This “Arts, Culture and Community” theme will be embraced by all programs, but will not be a special program in itself, as is the Fine Arts Program at Nootka School. Families will be attracted to this general emphasis on Art, Culture and Community without the need for a designated program that would be District-wide.
The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) will support this theme through funding programs such as “Learning Through the Arts” – a program that regularly works with schools to enhance art opportunities – and by creating a resource library with teaching aids for art and culture and other child-centred, project-based learning initiatives.
THE VISION
Our vision for Garibaldi is one of a vibrant, inspiring, diverse centre of community learning where families with different but complimentary interests and strengths come together with children from birth to school age to support one another, to create art and to celebrate their cultures. This exciting learning experience will attract many families who have been looking for a richer opportunity for their children and themselves and will make Garibaldi School a vital, sustainable and exciting centre of learning.
| Garibaldi Action Committee | Accountable | Responsible | Consulted | Informed | Decription of Role | Additional Support | |
| Committee Coordination | Hal Milne | Committee Members | Community, FH, Randi - CUPE, Committee | VSB, Community | To include facilitating meetings, working with committee members, liaising with VSB | ||
| Frog Hollow Representation | Gary Dobbin | FH Staff | Randi - CUPE, FH, VSB, Community | Community | To ensure that Frog Hollow's plan integrates successfully with proposed enhancement, to provide guidance in our overall plan and so that FH is engaged and informed | Survey Preparation: Robin - PIE | |
| Media Outreach | Rick | Committee, Randi - CUPE, VESTA, DPAC, Shane Simpson | Randi - CUPE, FH, VSB, Community | Community, VSB, Ministry of Ed | To inform media and Community, VSB + Ministry through media about the success stories of Garibaldi, the emphasize the good work being done by the Community and to advocate for non-closure | cheryl taylor lee - flyers | |
| Integrated Proposal Preparation | Diane Wilman | Committee, Randi - CUPE | VSB, COPE Trustees, Noel | Community, VSB, Media | To draft the final proposal to be presented to the Trustee with the help of the Decision Review Committee, and outside consultants | ||
| Advocacy | Kate | Kate, FH, Randi - CUPE, ? | Randi- CUPE, FH, Community, Committee, DPAC, VESTA | VSB, Ministry, MLA, DPAC, VESTA | To ensure all levels of government, the VSB Board of Trustees are aware and are felling pressure regarding community concerns surrounding the closure of Garibaldi | Advocacy: Vivian | |
| Community Coordination | Crystal | Committee, Community, Randi - CUPE | Community, FH, Randi -CUPE, Committee | Community, VSB | Engagement and coordination of community in Volunteer roles for flyer distribution, signage, working on events, etc. | Kirsten - 732-7355 (Survey) | |
| Event Planning | Mika | Those accountable for proposals | VSB | Committee, Community | Plan community event to facilitate media exposure to gain awaremess of the Garibaldi situation and to engage the community in being part of a wonderful Community space | Event planning: Kamal/Terri Bishop | |
| Approved Enhancement to Proposal Liaison | Seanna/Kate/Meaghan | Those accountable for proposal | VSB, Community, CUPE, FH | Community, VSB, | To provide guidance and coordination to enhace the integrated plan being prepared, to provide updates pertanent to the success of the integrated plan around special programming | ||
| Asian Community Liaison | Sharon/Leanna | Committee, Community, Randi - CUPE | Community, FH, Randi -CUPE, Committee | Community, VSB | To share information, gather insights and suggestions towards the enhancement of the integrated plan | ||
| Secretary | Rebecca | Committee | Committee | Community, VSB | To record events, action and deliverables of both committees |
| Garibaldi Program Working Committee | Accountable | Responsible | Consulted | Informed |
| Parent 1 | Hal | PAC | FH, Cupe, Proposal Groups, VSB | Garibaldi Action Committee, Community |
| Parent 2 | Kamal | PAC | FH, Cupe, Proposal Groups, VSB | Garibaldi Action Committee, Community |
| Frog Hollow Representative | Diane Wilman | FH | FH, Cupe, Proposal Groups, VSB | Garibaldi Action Committee, Community |
| Frog Hollow Representative | Gary Dobbin | FH | FH, Cupe, Proposal Groups, VSB | Garibaldi Action Committee, Community |
| Community Member 1 | Nora | TBD | FH, Cupe, Proposal Groups, VSB | Garibaldi Action Committee, Community |
| Community Member 2 | Cheryl Taylor Lee | TBD | FH, Cupe, Proposal Groups, VSB | Garibaldi Action Committee, Community |
| Facilitator | Scott | Program Decision Committee | FH, Cupe, Proposal Groups, VSB | Garibaldi Action Committee, Community |
| Garibaldi Review Committee | Accountable | Responsible | Consulted | Informed | |
| Distritc Management VSB - Facilities | TBD | TBD | TBD | Community, VSB Board of Trustees | |
| Distritc Management VSB - Finance and Administration | TBD | TBD | TBD | Community, VSB Board of Trustees | |
| District Management VSB - Learning Services | TBD | TBD | TBD | Community, VSB Board of Trustees | |
| Parent 1 | Kate | TBD | TBD | Community, VSB Board of Trustees | |
| Parent 2 | Seanna | TBD | TBD | Community, VSB Board of Trustees | |
| School Staff | TBD | TBD | TBD | Community, VSB Board of Trustees | |
| School Staff | TBD | TBD | TBD | Community, VSB Board of Trustees |
| February 12 2008 Garibaldi Action Community Meeting Agenda | |||||
| 1 | Acknowledgement of community process | 5 minutes | |||
| 2 | Matrix | 10 minutes | |||
| 3 | Timeline | 10 minutes | |||
| 4 | Stakeholder presentations | 30 minutes | |||
| 5 | Formation of committee | 10 minutes | |||
| 6 | Volunteer Recruitment | 10 minutes | |||
| 7 | Event Planning -Working Group Recruitment | 10 minutes | |||
| 8 | Other business/working groups | 35 minutes | |||
Subject: Community Meeting regarding the future of Garibaldi Annex
Garibaldi Annex needs you! The objective of this meeting is for the community of Garibaldi to engage in a community process with community groups, organizations and the VSB in developing viable programming options for the continued operation of the Annex.
Date: February 12th, 2008
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Garibaldi Annex, 1025 Slocan St., Vancouver
Agenda:
