Here you will find responses to questions regarding the Transition phase of the project, formerly called Phase 2.
We have attempted to sort questions that we believe relate to the final outcome into this Transition category. We require a transition year during construction when all students will need to be out of SCSS and the 9-12s and/or the 7-12s in SNSS. We are having discussions over where the 7/8s will be located, and if not at SNSS due to space restrictions, what school would look like for them. While our key focus is on the health and safety of staff and students, we want to minimize the disruption in learning and provide the best possible facility while in transition. Please refer to the main Stratford Project page for more information.
We are currently working on a tool to facilitate confidential broad-based input gathering and encourage everyone to participate when it is launched. Please use the form below to subscribe to our mailing list to be notified about the launch and other updates.
How long will construction take?
The plan is to commence demolition and reconstruction by end of June – early July 2019 and complete all work by September 2020. SC student learning will take place elsewhere during that year.
What does a move of all students from SC for the construction year look like?
AMDSB has been gathering input before making that decision. Having researched other boards, one practice would be to move all staff and students into another school. One of the schools would take an ‘early’ shift and one school a ‘later’ shift, with transportation adjusted accordingly. The working committee will gather input from various stakeholders to determine the best way to move forward that will make the transition as smooth as possible.
How will the school’s needs be addressed during this year?
AMDSB anticipates many of the school-based decisions to be worked through during the Transition process at the school level. The school administrators and professional teams in place to help them are highly regarded.
What about extracurriculars? How will they work?
This is a good example of a school-based question that would be addressed in the Transition process. It is possible that space in other facilities will be needed to accommodate gym time and any other extracurricular clubs/teams that might need additional space during the renovations.
How will the school bus transportation change?
AMDSB is reviewing transportation implications as part of the decision for what the Transition Year will look like.
I live on Forman Ave and am concerned about the traffic and parking in front of the school. It is already difficult to get in and out of my lane way before school and especially around dismissal time. Buses park on one side of the road and parents on the other. If you add more traffic to this mess or have this happen twice a day it makes a greater inconvenience for those of us who live near the school.
Parking questions will be answered in the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2).
How will the existing problem of students’ inability to access the necessary technology for their courses be addressed when two schools are combined?
Computers and other necessary technology from Stratford Central will be moved to Stratford Northwestern for the Transition Year to ensure continuity of program.
My child is anxious about this move and would like to do their schooling online. Is this an option available with AMDSB?
Yes, e-learning through Avon Maitland Distance Education Courses will continue to be offered. This option will be entertained on a case-by-case basis involving school personnel. Both school staffs are committed to providing the best possible learning environment for all of our students.
Has consideration been given to the effect that the late shift will have on our local sporting organizations as they plan teams, on our local economy as businesses plan to hire students and piano teachers, etc. look for clients, and on family life (the majority of parents work during the day and may not see their children during the week), etc.?
This question implies that a decision on the scheduling of the two schools during the Transition Year has been made. Transition Year scheduling (2019-2020) will not be addressed until the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2). Our goal is to minimize the impact on traditional after-school activities.
Will my child get to pick the school that they want to attend for grade 7 (2019-2020), or will the borders be enforced?
Borders will have to be enforced for grades 7-8 to ensure that the populations are regulated at each building. When students move into grades 9-12, access to programming at both sites will be through concurrent programming which we hope to enhance.
Can you consider other options to this split school day option? I think it is very important that the Avon Maitland District School Board looks at the full scope of the actions that it intends to implement and how it will affect all aspects of a student’s life, not just the student’s life while at the school. Skating clubs can’t change their ice times.
This question implies that a decision on the scheduling of the two schools during the Transition Year has been made. Transition Year scheduling (2019-2020) will not be addressed until the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2). Our goal is to minimize the impact on traditional after-school activities.
How will the existing problem of too few quiet study spaces be addressed when two schools are combined?
Scheduling students from both schools will be addressed during the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2) (Sept 2018-May 2019) of the project. Students will continue to have access to quiet spaces within SNWSS during the Transition Year. Potential concerns with respect to lack of quiet spaces will be addressed if and when they arise.
Can you guarantee that my child who attends SC will be able to apply for University as an SC student?
SC will continue to operate as a school. Students will be able to apply to post-secondary schools from Stratford Central during the Transition Year.
Has consideration been given to students that may be so frustrated during the transition period that they drop out of school?
We will continue to support all students who struggle in school on a individual basis as we have always done.
How will the rivalry between SC and SN be managed during the transition year?
Stratford Central and Stratford Northwestern are working collaboratively to support a positive Transition Year. We anticipate the friendly rivalry will continue.
Is there capacity to share the overflow of Central students during the construction year with another Board high school and busing students to that location?
Thank you for the question. We will address this issue during the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2) (Sept 2018-May 2019) of the project.
How will graduation be handled during the transition year?
Graduation ceremonies have been held on separate evenings at the Straford Festival for both schools. We do not anticipate that this practice will be changing during the Transition Year.
How will traffic flow be impacted with increased city bus, school bus and student/parent traffic at dismissal time?
Thank you for the question. We will address this issue during the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2) (Sept 2018-May 2019) of the project.
How will parking of additional vehicles be accommodated at SN?
Thank you for the question. We will address this issue during the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2) (Sept 2018-May 2019) of the project.
How will unity and school spirit be fostered?
Thank you for the question, as this is an important aspect of school life for both staffs and students. We will address this issue during the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2) (Sept 2018-May 2019) of the project.
From which school will transcript marks be coming from if you currently attend SC but will be graduating during the transition year? (Time sensitive issue for anyone planning for a fifth year)
Stratford Central will continue to exist as a school during the transition. The students registered at Stratford Central will be using Stratford Northwestern’s facilities during the year of transition. Students registered at Stratford Central will continue to be issued transcipts from the school.
Will AMDSB be compensating those students who work after school to save for their post secondary education?
This question implies that a decision on the scheduling of the two schools during the transition year has been made. Transition Year scheduling (2019-2020) will not be addressed until the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2) of the project. Our goal is to minimize the impact on traditional after-school activities.
Will there be extra spaces opened in online courses to accommodate potential lack of space in 4U courses?
Courses run based on student demand. In the past, students have selected on-line 4U courses for a variety of reasons. These processes will not change during the transition.
What about grade 11 and 12 students who are currently in grade 9 and 10 who have planned their My Blueprint and post-secondary pathway based on current course availability?
Course options and school timetabling will continue as in the past to address My Blueprint plans.
When will you know where students will go in the Transition year?
Thank you for the question. We will address this issue during the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2) (Sept 2018-May 2019) of the project.
Will there be extra counselors or staff to help with an anticipated increase in stress over this?
Thank you for the question. We will address this issue during the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2) (Sept 2018-May 2019) of the project. We will gather input about resources that are needed for all our students to ensure that appropriate supports are in place. Our goal is to make this transition a positive experience for all students and their families.
Will students be able to take electives?
Yes students can take electives. There will be a full palette of courses available throughout the transition and in subsequent years.
Will international and ESL students be required to choose locations other than SN during 2019-2020 to ensure room for local students?
Every year the AMDSB makes decisions on the number of international students entering our schools and their location. There are a number of factors that are considered including the number of local families available to host students. This practice will continue during the transition year.
What happens to the children who have attended grade 7 at Northwestern and are going into grade 8 during the renovation year, but are from Oxford County?
Current SN students will remain with their peers.
I go to Avon Public school and will be in grade 7 during the transition year. My sister goes to Stratford Central. Will I be able to go to the same school as my sister when the renovation is complete?
This will depend on the final decisions for secondary programming in the two schools.
What if we put a couple of portables at each elementary school and the kids grade 7-9 go back to their elementary schools for a year? Might be easier to re-house grade 10-12 instead of all grade 7-12 students… Between Mitchell school and Northwestern they may be able to accomodate grade 10-12 easily.
We appreciate your thoughts and will confirm that consideration was given. There is not sufficient space in all K-6 schools so this option is problematic. This could actually further increase student transitions for some students.
Why can’t the board put a bunch of portables up at the old fair grounds? Then if they need technology or gym classes then use the facilities at St. Mikes and NWSS.
During the transition year, the board will consider moving students to Stratford Northwestern and a few satellite sites. Those sites will be determined during the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2) of the project.
Will kids that currently attend a K-8 school still have the option to attend NWSS for grade 7? or will they be expected to stay at their current school until SC is reopened.
For the 2018-19 school year, SNWSS and SCSS will continue to operate as a grade 7-12 school. A decision regarding the organization of NWSS (grades) during the 2019-2020 school year will occur during the Transition phase (formerly called Phase 2) of the project.
Why have no other viable options been mentioned other than the split school day? Seems logical that the board must have formulated more than one practical option before publicly announcing what those options may be?
No decision has been made regarding the format of the school day during the transition. Other options have been raised, including in the September 12th Focus Group Meeting.
When does Phase 2 planning begin?
Planning for Phase 2, now called Transition, began in September 2018
Has AMDSB considered leaving grade 7 students at K-6 schools to minimize multiple transitions and free up additional space at SN for Grades 8-12?
Yes, consideration was given. There is not sufficient space in all K-6 schools so this option is problematic. This could actually further increase student transitions for some students.
If there is a change in time and students are expected to be at school later, how is it determined as to which students will potentially have to lose their part time jobs, sports, music, dance etc. Many of these things begin at 4-4:30. Could grade 7 incoming students remain at their feeder school for the year of construction? As well is there possibility to utilize dual classrooms effectively, by dual purposing them? When not in use for one subject, another subject or class could utilize the space.
Several of these questions are better answered once decisions have been finalized for the Transition Year.