Eastern School District School Organization Plan Public Presentation Montague Family of Schools March 3, 2009

Impact of Declining Enrollment Eastern School District ,173 13,111 6 Years – Loss of 2,000

Impact of Declining Enrollment 20 elementary schools have lost between 30% and 50% of students in the past decade 10 schools with 90 or fewer students 35 of our schools will lose students in the next decade 14 will lose up to 25% more of their students

% Change Montague High % Belfast Cons % Cardigan Cons % Dundas Cons % Georgetown Ele Montague Cons % Montague Int % Southern Kings Cons % Vernon River Cons % Montague Family of Schools

% Change Montague High % Belfast Cons % Cardigan Cons % Dundas Cons % Georgetown Ele % Montague Cons % Montague Int % Southern Kings Cons % Vernon River Cons % Montague Family of Schools

How has this development impacted our students? 1. The breadth and depth of specialist programming Physical Education Music Resource-based learning French

2.The scope of student support services Guidance Special Education Resource Reading Recovery ®

3.Teaching – Learning Process Teachers “stretched” across grades Teachers “stretched” across subject areas Teacher isolation Lack of administrative direction and support

4.Student Diversity Children’s social and emotional development may be affected by split classes and soon, triple-graded classes

Why are we concerned? Student Achievement Student Improvement Literacy – Numeracy standards increasing

What should we do? Focus on the teaching – learning process Emphasize structured and explicit teaching methods aimed at specific skill development in reading, writing and mathematics

What is the best way to do it? At least 2 teachers per grade Single graded classrooms students grade 1-3, students grade 4-6 Strong student support and specialist programs Within grade teacher collaboration and administrative leadership and support

Dundas Catchment Area 99 Students – Grades 1-8 Dundas Cons.69 students Montague Int. 1 student (French Immersion) Souris Cons. 9 students Montague Cons. 8 students (5 French Immersion) Fortune/Rollo Bay 7 students St. Peter’s Cons. 5 students

Dundas Consolidated 69 students – 5.95 FTE Grade students - (1/2 split grade) Grade students Grade students - (3/4 split grade) Grade students Grade students - (5/6 split grade) Grade students Grade students - (7/8 split grade) Grade students S/T Ratio – 11.6

Dundas Consolidated Programs *Resource –.5 (Not fully trained) Special Education – -- Reading Recovery ® -.25 Guidance –.2 Library – -- Physical Education –.22 Music –.25 + Gr. 5-6 Family Life & Science: Gr. 7-8 Family Life (.25) Principal (.25) + Gr. 7-8 LA & Science, Gr. 1-8 Phys. Ed., Gr. 3-4 Computer(.75) Vice-Principal (0) – Gr. 1-2 Core Subjects, STC, PLIP (1.00) French –.30 * Resource, Special Ed., Library Contact, Primary PLIP, Gr. 5-6 LA

Georgetown Catchment Area 104 Students – Grades 1-8 Georgetown Ele. 94 students Montague Int. 1 student Cardigan Cons. 6 students Montague Cons. 4 students (French Immersion)

Georgetown Elementary 94 students – 7.63 FTE Grade students- (1/2 split grade) Grade students- (2/3 split grade) Grade students Grade students- (4/5 split grade) Grade students Grade students Grade students- (7/8 split grade) Grade students S/T Ratio – 12.25

Georgetown Elementary Programs *Resource/Special Education – 1.00 Reading Recovery ® –.25 Guidance –.46 Library – -- Physical Education –.50 + Gr. 4-8 French Music –.16 Principal (.10) – Gr. 6-8 Math & Science (.90) Vice-Principal (.05) – Gr. 6-8 LA, Social Studies, Health, STC (.95) Special Ed., Resource, Reading Recovery ®, Librarian, Gr. 2 Math