...preserving and enhancing secondary education
in Niagara-on-the-Lake
During April and May 2008, Friends of NDSS proposed to the District School Board of Niagara an exciting new vision for an Education Centre to serve Niagara-on-the-Lake for the next 50 years and beyond.
District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) Trustees were slated to choose whether to revitalize, or to close, Niagara-on-the-Lake's only high school June 10, 2008.
The Education Centre vision is an alternative that can provide a complete, long-term education package for the growing 15,000-resident municipality.
Some Trustees indicated they could support a revitalized local high school if the community was to demonstrate commitment to sending our children there. They also hoped to see community unity on a total education solution for our municipality.
One solution that could accomplish both objectives is a 29-acre Education Centre with the planned new Butler / Virgil elementary school, a revitalized high school, and a community centre component.
Although student populations would be segregated by age both indoors and out, each would enjoy scheduled, supervised access to amenities far superior to what either could have on its own.
The centre could provide a social and recreational hub for residents of NOTL, where people of all ages can build community and engage in healthy living and lifelong learning.
Elementary students in particular would benefit. An education centre built at the expansive Niagara District Secondary School site would be less congested and safer than the proposed Virgil site, with tracks, ball fields and plenty of green space to run and play.
Young children would enjoy scheduled, supervised access the high school’s computer and science labs; art, theatre, music and sports facilities and equipment; an extensive, staffed library; and specialized programs and teachers.
Both populations would benefit from tutoring and mentoring provided by senior students.
Older and younger siblings would be together on one site, and Virgil/Butler children could remain in their current schools with no disruption while their new school is under construction.
As well, familiar surroundings, students and teachers make the transition from Grade 8 to high school more comfortable.
History shows the Education Centre solution could go a long way towards reversing the education poverty cycle at NDSS.
After the DSBN has firmly committed to high school education in NOTL through capital investment, more families will choose NDSS because the threat of closure will finally be lifted.
Consider that after the 1999 review when NDSS received a brief reprieve, enrolment increased from 455 in 1999 to 525 in 2002.
Retention of students entering Grade 9 is likely to increase naturally as well; other Ontario school boards report 90-100% retention when Junior and Senior schools are co-located.
As enrolment increases, so does provincial funding, which means more course options. More course offerings attracts more students. NOTL's secondary education poverty cycle finally ends, and the positive cycle becomes self-perpetuating.
With a modern new Education Centre, NOTL will continue to be a thriving community that attracts and retains youth and families.
Real estate values will be buoyed by the proximity of a modern new education facility; local businesses will continue to be supported by families; our air will not be polluted from bussing hundreds of youth into St. Catharines and Niagara Falls each day.
Friends of NDSS have been actively gathering community input for many months.
What are your views on the NOTL Education Centre solution?
Vote now.
Also, please send an email with your views to lordmayor@notl.org
During April and May 2008, Friends of NDSS proposed to the District School Board of Niagara an exciting new vision for an Education Centre to serve Niagara-on-the-Lake for the next 50 years and beyond.
District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) Trustees were slated to choose whether to revitalize, or to close, Niagara-on-the-Lake's only high school June 10, 2008.
The Education Centre vision is an alternative that can provide a complete, long-term education package for the growing 15,000-resident municipality.
Some Trustees indicated they could support a revitalized local high school if the community was to demonstrate commitment to sending our children there. They also hoped to see community unity on a total education solution for our municipality.
Although student populations would be segregated by age both indoors and out, each would enjoy scheduled, supervised access to amenities far superior to what either could have on its own.
The centre could provide a social and recreational hub for residents of NOTL, where people of all ages can build community and engage in healthy living and lifelong learning.
Young children would enjoy scheduled, supervised access the high school’s computer and science labs; art, theatre, music and sports facilities and equipment; an extensive, staffed library; and specialized programs and teachers.
Older and younger siblings would be together on one site, and Virgil/Butler children could remain in their current schools with no disruption while their new school is under construction.
As well, familiar surroundings, students and teachers make the transition from Grade 8 to high school more comfortable.
After the DSBN has firmly committed to high school education in NOTL through capital investment, more families will choose NDSS because the threat of closure will finally be lifted.
Consider that after the 1999 review when NDSS received a brief reprieve, enrolment increased from 455 in 1999 to 525 in 2002.
Retention of students entering Grade 9 is likely to increase naturally as well; other Ontario school boards report 90-100% retention when Junior and Senior schools are co-located.
As enrolment increases, so does provincial funding, which means more course options. More course offerings attracts more students. NOTL's secondary education poverty cycle finally ends, and the positive cycle becomes self-perpetuating.
Real estate values will be buoyed by the proximity of a modern new education facility; local businesses will continue to be supported by families; our air will not be polluted from bussing hundreds of youth into St. Catharines and Niagara Falls each day.
What are your views on the NOTL Education Centre solution?
Vote now.
Also, please send an email with your views to lordmayor@notl.org
