The governance and policy committee has put forward proposed changes to an existing policy around catchment, kindergarten registration, school transfers and priority or non-priority shown to siblings upon entrance to School District 57 schools. These changes affect all children in the district. The proposed changes are currently up for review by parents and other concerned community members during a 60 day consultation period that ends on Jan. 6, 2011. These proposed changes came around as a result of a meeting between the aforementioned committee and concerned parents who recognized that there was, in fact, no policy regarding siblings, and confusing enrolment procedures around kindergarten registration, catchment and school transfers.
What changes have been proposed?
The proposed changes:
1) affect where you may register your kindergarten child and do not guarantee your child entrance into his/her catchment school or a school of your choice;
2) do not guarantee a place for any subsequent children you may have at the school where another sibling already attends;
3) may affect you in the future if you move to another location in the city or need to move your child to another school in the district for other reasons,
4) need to be clear and concise so that any parent in the district can understand what is meant by what is written, when they are researching their children's options regarding elementary and secondary schools in the district. You need to determine if the wording in the policy allows you to do this.
How do these changes affect you?
Theses changes affect anyone who has children already attending SD57 schools, and anyone who hopes to enrol their children in the public education system in the future.
How do you get involved?
Go to the district website at www.sd57.bc.ca to read the proposed changes and then contact board members, or make comments in person at the monthly board meetings
This past year has brought many changes to our district due to budgetary cutbacks. Pending budget cuts may result in more school closures. As more schools close and others fill up, these policies will affect all families. By taking part in shaping policy that supports families in this district, you will directly contribute to providing a level of stability for students and families in the community.
Jacqueline Dockray,
parent of a child in SD 57
