Spring Park overcrowding may force move for French immersion students
CBC News | Posted: April 17, 2015 8:44 AM | Last Updated: April 17, 2015
Temporary move of kindergarten to Grade 3 French immersion classes to West Kent suggested
Spring Park Elementary School in Charlottetown is at capacity and the English Language School Board is suggesting moving several French Immersion students to another school temporarily.
The idea to move kindergarten to Grade 3 French immersion students to nearby West Kent Elementary School and have them return to Spring Park in Grade 4, was put forward at a meeting Wednesday night.
Sheldon Opps, whose youngest son is in early French immersion at Spring Park, appreciates that something needs to be done to address overcrowding at the school.
"My concern is we didn't really see too many other models, there was sort of one variation on the theme," said Opps.
Opps says it would be hard on kids to have to shift schools.
And he says overcrowding is just part of a larger problem.
"I think there's whole host of interrelated education problems that are even beyond the French immersion now and the overcrowding at Spring Park."
English School Board superintendent Cynthia Fleet agrees that many areas of Island education, including French immersion and rezoning, need to be addressed.
"That is a major undertaking that would require professional support, a longer consultation process, probably more in-depth reporting and consultation and that is not something that would be done at this time of year," said Fleet.
She says her current priority is finding space in a school that's expected to be at overcapacity by 73 students in September.
She wants to consult with parents on options.
"I'd like to move this part of it quickly so parents can engage in the discussion with the board of trustees."
Fleet says parents will still have a chance to offer input until early May.
For mobile device users: Is moving some Charlottetown French immersion students to another school a good idea?