LAAR - Questions and Comments

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Comment 128: When a kid attends a certain school with capacity challenges, but moves to a home closer to the school (3 minutes away), will the kid be forced out, to attend a school which is a holding zone, farther away (at least 13 minutes away) from their new home and current school?

Is the requirement to attend a holding school not directed towards new students (new registrants) and not current students of the Thames Valley District School Board, especially when the new home is closer to the school with capacity issues? Will forcing 1 or 2 kids out really make a difference?

Response: Thank you for your e-mail. School attendance is determined by the home address of students. In the example provided in your correspondence, a student moving into a holding zone would need to switch schools (and attend the holding school) no differently than if they had moved into another school’s attendance area. However, TVDSB does have a process for considering out-of-area exemption requests for elementary students, outlined in the Board procedure on this matter at the following link: Procedure 4012a.

Comment 127: I'm curious how many students are in the block east of Wonderland, north of Oxford. (Out of that 654, how many are in that Proudfoot, Farrah Rd Beaverbrook area)

If that were grouped with the Eagle Heights attendance Area would you have two student populations around 600?

Response: There are 47 students (45 Eagle Heights PS students) residing in this area.

Regarding a possible future attendance area involving the construction of a new school, this detailed analysis has not yet been undertaken and would form part of our work in preparing a business case when one is initiated.

Comment 126: Would you be able to provide the following information: The number of current Thames Valley English public elementary students (or registered for 2023) residing in the following areas:

1) The land west of Wonderland Rd, south of the CP tracks and then south of Sarnia Rd extending west to Hyde Park Rd and down to the CN tracks as well as the Beaverbrook, Proudfoot and Farrah Rd area east of Wonderland and north of Oxford St West.

(Basically this is the student numbers for all of Beaverbrook, Oakcrossing, Capulet, the highrises on Wonderland as well as the highrises at Proudfoot north of Oxford St)
This is the number I'm most interested in (Including any students who are currently attending Clara Brenton)
No children currently attend Wilfred Jury from this area correct?

2) The number of students from the following: the Sugarcreek and Proudfoot Ln area south of Oxford, the Cherryhill and Platts Lane area, Oxford Park, Kensington, Blackfriars and Petersville.

Basically the land east of Wonderland and south of Oxford St down to the CN tracks and Thames River extending east to the north branch of the Thames River plus the Cherryhill and Platts Lane area north of Oxford St extending east to the river and north to the CP tracks
(Including all of Kensington- Forward Ave area, Cavendish and Oxford Park)
Thank you, if you were able to supply the information above that would be much appreciated and helpful.

3) Also, it might be helpful to know the total number of students from the following areas: Blackfriars, Petersville plus the downtown block.

So the land west of Wharncliffe Rd to the ridge, from Riverside Drive to the CP tracks to the north and then all of Blackfriars plus downtown west of Richmond, south of Oxford and down to...? (The south end of the block that was laid out in the final report and currently part of Eagle Heights attendance area)

Response: We’ve produced a map of the Eagle Heights PS attendance area that summarizes the requested information. I can confirm that there are 4 students from the westerly portion of the attendance area who are enrolled at Wilfrid Jury PS.

Comment 125: My young children attend Lambeth PS and we live in the Southwinds area (Malpass Rd, West Graham Rd, Stacey Cres). Our neighbourhood has always been a Lambeth (formerly Duffield) PS school. We moved to this area specifically for our kids to attend Lambeth PS. This area is now being included in the new Southwest PS School zone. While the neighbourhood used to be home to many elementary students, it is an older neighbourhood now, with minimal elementary age/Lambeth PS students. Further, there is a stream that creates a barrier between our area and the new development, allowing for a natural border to remain in place. I am wondering why this area is being included in the new area, when the amount of students is so few, therefore not creating much of a difference in enrollment for either school. My children have thrived at Lambeth PS, and have created a community of friends there. I do not want my children to change schools, and don't see the benefit that would be achieved by forcing them to move schools. In addition, in the event that there cannot be any reconsideration on this, I am wondering whether there will be a legacy agreement clause allowing them to remain at Lambeth, and having newly registered students attend the new school?

Response: Thank you for your correspondence. The new southwest London elementary school was approved in order to accommodate the growing enrolment in this part of the City and to alleviate enrolment pressure at Lambeth PS. Boundary change options are generally determined based on a number of factors, including available programming space, the location of student residences, transportation considerations, development activity and enrolment projections. Currently, there are approximately 71 students residing south of the creek and west of Colonel Talbot Road and the proposal is to accommodate students from this area at the new school. A decision regarding legacy agreements for current students has not been made. Trustees will consider this as part of their deliberations regarding the Final Attendance Area Review Report, scheduled for June 28, 2022.

Comment 124: The Eagle Heights school community has had a long history of overcrowding, operating over capacity and relying on portables.

The board had agreed that this area was the board's #1 priority when it came to capital planning. There are more than enough students in this area to warrant a new school build NOT an addition. Why was a business plan for a new school build not prioritized for this part of the city which has high population density, new development and influx of families with school aged children?
What would be the steps and timeline for going back to the Ministry of Education and saying look, a 300 pupil addition is not sufficient to meet the needs in this school community, what is needed is a new school build.
Can we keep Eagle Heights at OTG 680 and plan to build a second school for 600?
If you asked students, parents, families, teachers, staff, neighbours and taxpayers what would they think would be the wisest decision in planning for children's elementary education in this part of the city into the future? It would not be unrealistic nor surprising to see an enrollment of 1200 or more students in this area in September 2022 or the near future. The proposed addition would bring the school's capacity to 980 but still require portables. Then the board could continue to add portables to accommodate up to 1400-1500 students.
Do we really want to make Eagle Heights a mega mega school, build a roadway through the back playing fields and school yard and keep adding portables into the future and losing play space and green space?

Response: The Board of Trustees prioritized an addition at Eagle Heights PS a number of years ago in order to manage the growing enrolment at the school. The Ministry of Education supported this approach through its approval of the business case earlier this school year and the design process is now underway. Forfeiting the current approval for an addition and seeking funding for a new school would not guarantee its approval through a future round of the Capital Priorities Program. This would also delay the construction of permanent accommodations for students by many years. The 300 pupil place addition and the boundary changes recommended to the Eagle Heights attendance area as part of the final report for the City of London Elementary Panel Attendance Area Review will significantly reduce the number of portables required on the site. A new school is certainly needed in this area and TDVSB is working with the City of London in order to identify a suitable location based on where new development is being planned. At this time, there are no other school sites available in this area of the City.

Comment 123: It seems premature to make a decision on the Northern Boundary change for St. George's given that it is 4-5 years before it will come into effect.

Development in the Northwest does not seem to slowing, especially in light of the fact that the land swapped for the proposed school site is expected to contain an additional 550 houses.

It also assumes that the downtown high density housing will include a high percentage of families with school age children, but the buildings appear to be predominantly luxury condos catering to young professionals and older couples.

Is it possible to delay the decision on the Northern Boundary until the new Northwest school is close to opening and enrollment numbers can be better predicted?

Response: Thank you for your correspondence. The TVDSB’s Attendance Area Review Procedure requires that decisions regarding boundary changes be made within a prescribed timeline from the initiation of the review. TVDSB is actively monitoring all development activity across the district, including in northwest and downtown London, and enrolment projections factor in current student yields from new developments as well as housing turnover within existing neighbourhoods. Should further boundary changes be required in the future, additional public consultation will need to be undertaken with our school communities at that time.

Comment 122: Please do not make Eagle Heights PS a SUPER SUPER Size school. It has been a SUPER SCHOOL for many years. Please have the families living on the west side of the Oxford Street train tracks attend Clara Breton. It is at full capacity but portables could be moved from Eagle Heights to Clara Breton. They are within walking distance, which would be better for health and the environment. It would eliminate bussing and the constant and future overcrowding at Eagle Heights. 1100 students and 17 portables is not healthy for the Eagle Heights community. With more high density housing planned in the area, it needs a reprieve NOW for students, staff and admin. Also think about having students on the west side of the Thames River attend Victoria PS as it is under capacity.
If a new school is planned for the north side of Oxford Street, it is years away and we need help with present and future projected over crowding ASAP. Please help.

Response: Thank you for your correspondence. Earlier this school year, the Ministry of Education approved a new 300 pupil place addition for Eagle Heights PS (please visit our website for more details regarding the status of this project). TVDSB is also considering options to change the boundaries for Eagle Heights PS in order to further reduce enrolment pressure at the school. A final attendance area review report has been prepared by Administration following public consultation with school communities. This report is being presented to Trustees on June 7, 2022, with Trustee deliberations scheduled for June 28, 2022. Requests for public delegations, scheduled to be heard on June 22, 2022, are being received via this form until 9a.m. on June 17. The recommendations in the final report include further changes to the boundaries between Eagle Heights PS and Victoria PS.

Comment 121: Is it possible to see the revised numbers for Eagle Heights and Victoria PS if grade 7&8 students were to go there?

Response: Prior to the approval of the 300 pupil place addition at Eagle Heights PS by the Ministry of Education, grade restructuring was proposed at the school in order to manage its large enrolment. The details regarding the grade structure change that was being contemplated may be found here (page 48 of the PDF). However, as a result of the approved addition, the grade restructuring is no longer proposed. Instead, the space that would be created at nearby Victoria PS by returning holding zone students to more proximal schools in south London is proposed to be utilized to accommodate K-8 Eagle Heights PS students residing east of the Thames River and for new holding zone families moving into the Bostwick neighbourhood.

Comment 120: Would it be possible to see numbers for other schools in Eagle Heights general area such as Clara Brenton, Riverside, Orchard Park, etc? Any details on why they were not included in this review would be appreciated.

Response: We can confirm that all elementary schools in London were considered as part of the subject attendance area review and were evaluated for potential boundary changes in order to alleviate enrolment pressures at overutilized schools. Clara Brenton PS, Riverside PS, and Orchard Park PS have utilizations of 121%, 106%, and 104%, respectively, with all of these schools projected to remain well utilized for the short to medium term.

Comment 119:Clearing space at Victoria Public was part of the earlier recommendations to make room for the Grade 7 and 8's coming from Eagle Heights with a proposed Grade restructure at Eagle Heights to a K-6 school. In in the original report, Victoria PS would be around 100% utilization.

With this recommendation off the table now of sending the Grade 7 and 8's to Victoria, there is no longer the need to clear space at Victoria right?
Why are we looking at sending more students to Cleardale and Mountsfield from Victoria? This crowds Mountsfield, and brings the utilization stats very low for Victoria.
Does this not put Victoria PS at risk of a school closure in the future?

Response: One of the objectives of the attendance area review is to find permanent accommodations for holding zone students by returning them to a proximal neighbourhood school close to their place of residence. The utilization of Victoria PS is projected to reach approximately 80% in the longer term with the proposed addition of students from Eagle Heights PS and new holding zone students from the Bostwick Holding Zone. Please note that portable projections for Mountsfield are approximate and the final count may be lower. There are no plans to close any elementary schools as part of the boundary changes being proposed through the London Attendance Area Review.

Comment 118: How did we let Eagle Heights PS get so big? There are equity issues here.

In many communities, parents and guardians are vocal and fight for the quality of their children's school and education and get schools built in neighbourhoods when needed. If there is overcrowding, they speak up and are active, fighting for change eg. Sir Arthur Currie.
Can we as a broad community look out for ALL children in ALL schools across the board? So that the type of school and quality of school including school buildings, school yards and playground facilities are of the same quality no matter if you're a child living in East London, or downtown or in a rural area, or a subdivision in the West or an established neighbourhood in the north or a dense urban neighbourhood, diverse with many newcomer families and children from a variety of backgrounds, families facing many social challenges including providing food and shelter for their families.

Response: Eagles Heights PS has seen substantial growth primarily as a result of international enrolment. It is uniquely situated within an area of London with a large international population. Thames Valley District School Board provides high quality education across all of our schools and invests significant capital dollars into schools across the district on an annual basis. Through the recent approval of an addition at Eagle Heights PS and the ongoing attendance area review in London, TVDSB is working to provide accommodation solutions to support high quality learning environments within the Eagles Heights PS attendance area into the future.

Comment 117:

What is the largest elementary school in the province?
Is Eagle Heights PS set to become one of the largest schools in the province? And the new schools being planned for 800 students plus portables will join these schools of 1000+ students?
What issues do we see in large schools when it comes to student behaviour, sense of belonging and safety, accountability, building of relationships and communication with school families and community?

Thorncliffe Park Public School in the Toronto District School- Board- is currently sitting at a population of just over 1200 students in a dense urban neighbourhood with some similarities in common with Eagle Heights.

Response: We cannot confirm the location or size of the largest elementary school in Ontario. Given the growing enrolment across our district and in the Eagle Heights PS attendance area specifically, an addition was deemed to be appropriate in order to permanently accommodate students and reduce reliance on portables. As additional developments continue to occur in the area, a new school is expected to be needed in order to help manage the growing enrolment. TVDSB is working with our partners at the City of London in order to ensure land for a school is made available as these new developments are reviewed and considered for approval. TVDSB ensures that all of the necessary supports that allow students to thrive are made available at all of our schools, regardless of size.

Comment 116: Even in large cities such as Toronto and Mississauga, most elementary schools in TDSB and Peel around the 500 student size and 300 students size.

As a board and community could we not choose to plan for elementary schools in our region to be max 500/600 students and lots of 300-400 student size schools?

Response: TVDSB monitors development applications on an ongoing basis and identifies locations within new development areas where future schools could be located. School sizes are based on programming needs, availability of land for new schools within areas of need, school capacities at adjacent schools, and projected growth. As our district continues to grow rapidly, larger numbers of student spaces are required in order to manage the rising enrolment.

Comment 115: With the planned addition at Eagle Heights, the school would have an OTG of 980 and then require 6 portables on site.

Then in future years, the board would have the option to add up to 11 additional portables on site. If we assume class sizes to be between 27 and 28 students per class, the school would be able to accommodate 1450 students, possibly more with larger sizes. With the addition that would just result in overcapacity numbers of 148% or more but still within reasonable and acceptable numbers, whereas if no addition were added the overcapacity numbers would reach unacceptable levels.

Are we planning realistically for anticipated population growth in this area of the city?
Where would the school plan to install additional portables? What would be the impacts on the school yard, traffic in the community?
Will students access to gymnasiums for physical education time be impacted by the large student numbers?

Response: TVDSB tracks all development applications on an ongoing basis, and identifies locations within new development areas where future schools could be located. Additional capital investment in the form of a new school is expected to be needed in this area in order to accommodate enrolment growth from new developments. Should additional portables be required at Eagle Heights PS, these locations will be reviewed with school administration in advance in order to ensure school operations are not adversely affected. Access to physical education programming would continue to be provided to all of our students.

Comment 114: Even when the planned addition is completed at Eagle Heights, the board anticipates that they will require at least 6 portables (the portapack) on site to accommodate students. The report predicts a student population of 1 146 students by 2028/2029. Given the rate of growth in the City of London, current trends, planned development within this school's attendance area, given that this is the area of the city with the highest number of high density residential units and plans to build more, if we're anticipating an increase in immigration in future years...

What would be a more realistic prediction for anticipated student population at this school?
Is it reasonable to expect that even once the addition is complete, it will be necessary to continue to add portables in future years?
How big is Eagle Heights going to become?

Response: The enrolment projections for Eagle Heights PS account for the rate of growth for this area of the City, current trends, planned developments within the Eagle Heights PS attendance area, and projected international enrolment numbers. Thames Valley District School Board monitors development applications on an ongoing basis, and identifies locations within new development areas where future schools could be located. We do expect to seek funding for a new school in the area given the future growth planned within this attendance area and north of Oxford Street West.

Comment 113: Eagle Heights has become the largest school in the Thames Valley District School- Board. As of 2019 our student population had already exceeded 1000 students.

What was once a small school underwent renovations so that by 2011 there was space for 374 students at the school. At that time there were 638 students at the school with 8 portables on site. Renovations in 2015 made space for 680 students but the student population continued to rise quickly to surpass 1000.
Another addition for Eagle Heights is planned to add 300 pupil spaces to bring OTG to 980. Even with this addition, the student population will be higher and there will be a need for 6 portables on site on opening to accommodate students. What do families, students, staff and the surrounding community think about the size of the school and the impacts and changes?

Response: School sizes are based on programming needs, availability of land for new schools within an area of need, school capacities at adjacent schools, and projected growth. We are thankful to have received provincial funding for a 300 pupil place addition at Eagle Heights in order to provide permanent accommodation for students at the school and reduce reliance on portables. In addition, boundary changes are being considered for Eagle Heights PS as part of the London Attendance Area Review. We are currently seeking feedback as part of that process through the work being undertaken by attendance area review school subcommittees. More details regarding the timeline and the process being carried out by each subcommittee is available here: www.tvdsb.ca/LAAR

Comment 112: There seems to be a trend towards large elementary schools becoming normalized in London with new schools being built for 800+ students and student populations of over 1000 students in elementary schools.

Is this trend primarily about cutting costs and being more financially efficient?
Is this what Londoners want to become the norm in their city?
Have you asked parents and families for input on what type of schools they want for their children?
What size of elementary school would families like for their children?
What size is ideal for developing a sense of community, a sense of belonging, accountability for behaviour and safety, opportunities for children to try out different sports, participate in a variety of extracurricular activities in their elementary years, and for the school to be able to organize assemblies, concerts and special events? As a parent, I'd be happy with my child attending an elementary school of 250-300 students, even 400 or so would be ok. A few years ago we used to think 600 was a big school for the elementary level.
Is 1000 plus too big for an elementary school?
Are we making decisions on what's best for children, their development and education or is this primarily about money?

Response: Thames Valley District School Board monitors development applications on an ongoing basis and identifies locations within new development areas where future schools could be located. School sizes are based on programming needs, availability of land for new schools within areas of need, school capacities at adjacent schools, and projected growth. As our district continues to grow rapidly, larger numbers of student spaces are required in order to manage the rising enrolment.

Comment 111: Is TVDSB having sidewalks installed around Eagle Heights school? With this many buses coming in and an already dangerous walk to get to school, what are we doing to be sure all kids make it safely? This seems like a very dangerous situation you are making without regard and a real plan of the current students.

Response: The provision of sidewalks is within the jurisdiction of the City of London as these would be located within the road allowance and not on school board property. As there are no sidewalks planned for this area at this time, TVDSB will continue working with our transportation partners in order to ensure we continue to provide safe access and egress at the site.

Comment 110: How many holding zone students from Fox Hollow West and Sunningdale North have attended Old North PS over the last 5 years?

Response:

	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Fox Hollow Holding Zone	28	52	110	137	175
Sunningdale Holding Zone	41	48	68	62	64
Grand Total	69	100	178	199	239

Comment 109: The provision of sidewalks is within the jurisdiction of the City of London as these would be located within the road allowance and not on school board property. As there are no sidewalks planned for this area at this time, TVDSB will continue working with our transportation partners in order to ensure we continue to provide safe access and egress at the site.

Response: Is TVDSB having sidewalks installed around EH school? With this many busses coming in and an already dangerous walk to get to school what are we doing to be sure all kids make it safely? This seems like a very dangerous situation you are making without regard and a real plan of the current students.

Comment 108: Will this review result in Fox having a new Holding Zone be added to the school population? Is 127% a reasonable over-capacity percentage at the opening of a new school? We recognize that most schools have portables, but what is the risk this school will result in overcapacity like Sir Isaac Brock due to all of the new development (including several that are high density housing) in the farmlands surrounding the new school? What are the next steps for additional schools/capacity in the south west end of the city?

Response: There are no additional holding zones proposed to be accommodated at W. Sherwood Fox PS at this time. We recognize that the approved southwest London elementary school will open over-capacity. Additional capital investment will be required in southwest London in order to help manage the growing student enrolment in this area. TVDSB will be submitting additional requests for new schools in the area through future rounds of the Ministry of Education’s Capital Priorities Program, being the funding stream for this work.

While not ideal, a school opening with portables is not out of the ordinary. We are facing a similar situation to the new Southwest London elementary school with Summerside PS, scheduled to open in September of 2022. There is no date as of yet for the next round of the Capital Priorities program. When the call is issued, Administration reports to the Board of Trustees on timing and planned submissions.

Comment 107: Can the TVDSB Administration provide clarification on [potential legacy agreements for] students in Grade 7 and 8? Will this only apply to students in Grade 8? Can it apply to students in both grade 7 and 8? Will it be possible for students to choose to stay for their last year or move to Old North Public School?

As per the question above, if a student decides to stay at St. George’s for their Grade 7 or 8 year, what will happen with siblings? Will they be allowed to stay as well for an additional year? The [legacy agreement] option could cause issues with families with more than one child, could impact before and after school and/or older siblings who walk younger siblings home.

Could the TVDSB Administration please provide more clarification on the proposed process and application of “legacy agreements” in the areas affected by the boundary changes.

Response: For these questions, please note that a decision regarding legacy agreements for current students has not been made. Trustees will consider this as part of their deliberations regarding the Final Attendance Area Review Report, expected to be presented in June, 2022 after the receipt of public feedback. Should the school subcommittee wish to recommend this be considered, please include this information in the school community report.

Comment 106: When discussing St. James Street and Dufferin Street as boundaries, is it the case that families living on the Southside and Northside of the streets could attend different schools? Can TVDSB Administration provide clarity on the boundary streets?

Response: The proposed boundaries follow the centreline of the respective municipal road, as per the TVDSB’s standard practice for attendance area boundaries. For an illustration of the changes, please refer to the interactive maps available for each focus area under the “Background” headings on the linked page.

Comment 105: Is it possible to request more information on where we are in the process of Phase 2? How will information about the timeline as it progresses be shared? Could the timeline be extended due to delays?

Response: The Ministry of Education approved a new 802-pupil place elementary school in northwest London. TVDSB is currently in the process of securing land for the new school. Once land is obtained, it will take approximately 42-48 months for the school to be opened. This timing includes design, the Ministry of Education’s capital approval process, municipal approvals and construction. Subject to Trustee approval, Phase 2 of the Downtown review would be implemented the same year that the new northwest London elementary school opens as space will become available at Old North PS with the permanent accommodation of the Fox Hollow West and Sunningdale North holding zones in the northwest area of the City.

Administration has established a page on the TVDSB website in order to communicate updates regarding our various capital projects from across the district. This page will be kept up to date and we will ensure to communicate current information via social media channels as well.

Comment 104: Is there a way to filter the questions on the LAAR website so that only St. George’s can be viewed? And can Downtown subcommittee use these questions and answers as part of our report?

Response: We will organize the questions and provide this information shortly. The subcommittee may certainly use these for the preparation of the report.

Comment 103: Could a survey of the current student population at Lord Roberts be done to consider which families attend the school for the French Immersion program exclusively and which families attend with the priority of it being their neighbourhood school?

Response: The delivery of French Immersion programming was reviewed in 2019, and various changes were implemented in the Fall of 2020. As indicated in the question above, there are no changes contemplated to French Immersion schools through the current boundary review.

Comment 102: Can TVDSB Administration tell us what percentage of students at Lord Roberts French Immersion are bussed in from outside the downtown area and what percentage are attending as a “neighbourhood school”? If the majority of students are bussed in from outside the downtown area, would the TVDSB consider moving the french immersion program to another area/school that is not currently dealing with school overpopulation? Allowing Lord Roberts to become a walkable neighbourhood public school with a large catchment area.

Response: The Board of Trustees requested that staff provide information on this matter, as well as other elementary French Immersion schools in the area, and this was presented at the January 25, 2022 Board meeting. The agenda from that meeting is available here. Page 107 of the linked agenda provides the student distribution for the Lord Roberts FI PS attendance area. Based on the information received and because the existing French Immersion schools are well utilized, there are no changes planned to French Immersion boundaries at this time.

Comment 101: Can TVDSB Administration please tell us who conducted the third-party research on this?

Response: The attendance area review is being undertaken by TVDSB with support from Watson and Associates. Watson & Associates has completed a considerable amount of demographics work, enrolment projections studies, capital and financing studies and attendance and accommodation studies on behalf of school boards, including TVDSB, throughout Ontario and beyond. The firm provides services to close to 50 school boards across Canada. The consulting team is working closely with TVDSB Administration and all recommendations are formulated in conjunction with our staff. All decisions pertaining to this attendance area review will be made by the Board of Trustees.

Comment 100: As a subcommittee, we are wondering if the decision as to where to change the boundary for Phase 1 (Dufferin St.) took into consideration families’ socio-economic status and the corresponding appearance of socio-economic segregation based on where the boundary lines have been drawn? Can TVDSB Administration please provide a rationale for this decision? And inform the community as to whether this was taken into consideration when surveying the areas for boundary changes?

Response: Thank you for your correspondence. The proposed boundary change between Aberdeen PS and St. George’s PS was based on the number of students residing within the area (in addition to the growth occurring here). There are approximately 90 existing students who would attend Aberdeen PS from the southerly portion of the St. George’s PS attendance area. Coupled with growth in the area, the utilization of Aberdeen PS is projected to exceed 90% by 2028 in this scenario.

Comment 99: Will JKs within the future Sir Arthur Currie boundary get prioritized over those in the future New School boundary?

Response: While the process is not finalized yet, this will be a consideration as part of the annual review of enrolment at Sir Arthur Currie PS in order to avoid multiple school transitions for students residing in the area.

Comment 98: Provided that siblings will always be prioritized, what is the process for deciding who gets to fill additional spots at Sir Arthur Currie (assuming there are some)?

Response: Senior Administration is developing a process for the annual review of enrolment, which will be undertaken in September of each school year. More details will be made available closer to the start of the following school year.

Comment 97: Is there a maximum number (or ideal number) of JKs that Sir Arthur Currie will allow for future enrollment (before the new school is built)?

Response: There will be a maximum of 29 combined JK/SK students in each class of the current classes already allocated to Sir Arthur Currie PS.

Comment 96: We would like to know how projection figures for Mountsfield are determined.

Response: Enrolment projections at each of our schools are determined based a number of factors, including progression of students from one grade to the next each year, pupil yields from new developments, enrolment growth from the existing community as a result of migration to established neighbourhoods through housing turnover, and new births occurring within each attendance area.

Comment 95: How does being over capacity affect staffing, class sizes, facility use (gym, library, washrooms)?

Response: Staffing at each school is determined by the combined factors of student enrolment and configuration (e.g., the number of students in each class). Thus, the number of staff allocated to a school increases with the number of classes. Class sizes are determined by provincial requirements and local collective agreements. Classes are equitably scheduled to use common areas such as the gym and library. TVDSB ensures that appropriate washroom facilities are available for students in all of our schools.

Comment 94: What happens to under-utilized schools? What is the threshold for keeping a school open? Could capacity issues at neighbouring schools prompt another boundary change within the next 10 years?

Response: There are no plans to close or consolidate any schools. TVDSB continuously monitors enrolment across the district. Should the need arise, subsequent boundary reviews may be considered in the future in order to manage enrolment across our schools.

Comment 93: Can we suggest something else? Is it take it or leave it?

Response: We welcome all public feedback that could improve the proposal, including new options for consideration. School subcommittees are encouraged to include this information in their respective school community reports.

Comment 92: Should the boundaries change what are the options for the families in the affected areas - can they [receive legacy agreements]?

Response: A decision regarding legacy agreements for current students has not been made. Trustees will consider this as part of their deliberations regarding the Final Attendance Area Review Report, expected to be presented in June, 2022 after the receipt of public feedback.

Comment 91: Would Mountsfield be eligible for renovation for increased capacity? At what point?

Response: In order to expand the capacity of a school through an addition, a business case must be submitted to the Ministry of Education through its Capital Priorities Program. There is generally one in-take period per year for the submission of these business cases and there is a fixed number of proposals that may be submitted. All school boards across the province have an opportunity to submit business cases, the strongest of which are considered for funding by the Ministry. In determining which business cases to submit each round, TVDSB reviews its overall system requirements and prioritizes our most pressing needs based on current and projected enrolment. It is not anticipated that an addition will be required at Mountsfield PS for the foreseeable future.

Comment 90: How long have Highlands and Highview Ave holding zones been in place? What was the original reason for these holding zones?

Response: The holding zones south of Commissioners Road West have existed for a number of decades and predate amalgamation of school boards in our district (1998). The holding zones would have been established because home schools in the area did not have sufficient capacity to accommodate the growing enrolment from new developments.

Comment 89: How does TVDSB expect the gifted program to grow in the future? Projection for 2028 gifted program? Based on 99th percentile: how many children are expected to be enrolled in London in 2028?

Response: TVDSB has approximately 1,000 students formally identified with a giftedness exceptionality. There are no enrolment projections undertaken as part of this process. For more information regarding TVDSB’s Special Education Plan, please visit this link.

Comment 88: Where would 5 portables be placed at Mountsfield? Could there be more in the future?

Response: Portables have been historically placed around the perimeter of the rear asphalt play area. Facility Services staff would review with school administration to place portables at the best suited locations should these become needed.

Comment 87: What is the cost for portables per student?

Response: Portable costs are incurred on a per unit rather than per student basis. TVDSB receives capital funding as part of a temporary accommodation grant for portable purchases and portables moves on a yearly basis. Based on the most recent Ministry communication, school boards are currently allocated $120,000 per portable for purchases and $30,000 per portable for relocations.

Comment 86: How much does it cost per student to bus?

Response: Annual transportation costs are incurred on a per bus basis. The annual cost of a bus is approximately $70,000. The total number of students on each bus route differs by area.

Comment 85: In a couple of these AAR areas there has been commitment of funds by the government to build new schools. What is the board/administration currently doing to communicate and update the school communities as to where they are in the process of these builds? It does not seem that in the case of Belmont that administration is communicating to the school communities in a timely basis as to what stage of the process they are on. If land acquisition is an issue when does the board then decide to start the process to expropriate a building site? Communication needs to be better between administration and affected school communities. Regular updates are key.

Response: Thank you for your correspondence and feedback. Administration has established a page on the TVDSB website in order to communicate updates regarding our various capital projects from across the district. This page will be kept up to date and we will ensure to communicate current information via social media channels as well.

Comment 84: What thresholds need to be met before the council will entertain the idea of presenting a business plan to move forward with the Sir Arthur Currie expansion?

Response: In order to expand the capacity of a school through an addition, a business case must be submitted to the Ministry of Education through its Capital Priorities Program. There is generally one in-take period per year for the submission of these business cases and there is a fixed number of proposals that may be submitted. All school boards across the province have an opportunity to submit business cases, the strongest of which are considered for funding by the Ministry. In determining which business cases to submit each round, TVDSB reviews its overall system requirements and prioritizes our most pressing needs based on current and projected enrolment. The new school that has been approved in northwest London will provide much needed enrolment pressure relief to Sir Arthur Currie PS and an addition at this school is thus not being planned at this time.

Comment 83: Can we get clarification as to the delays and prolonged timeline for the new Northwest school’s build of 48 months, when the new Catholic school can have their project completed within 24 months.

Response: The estimated timelines provided include the Ministry of Education capital approval process. Timelines are estimates based on recent school builds. Once all approvals are received during the design phase, construction is estimated to be 18-24 months. We are unable to comment on what is included with London District Catholic School Board’s assumptions on schedule estimates.

Comment 82: Can we have an updated projection map that includes which areas on the new map will be bused to each school?

Response: Please see the requested map. Please consider the following:

The school site for the new NW London elementary school has not yet been secured.
The buffer shown may be used for demonstrative purposes only and should not be used to determine busing eligibility. Please visit www.mybigyellowbus.ca/ to confirm eligibility.
The technical determination of whether an address is eligible for transportation based on distance is done by a computation in a transportation planning software to ensure consistency throughout the district. The software uses GIS data provided by the municipalities, including the road and walkway network. The computation determines if an address is eligible based on the location of the perimeter property edges of the address relative to the school address using the shortest travel route.
A buffer does not reflect areas that may be considered for Distance Based Exemption transportation. For example, the rural areas north of Sunningdale Road are under 1.6km and would be reviewed under the Distance Based Exemption policy, and may be considered for transportation.

Comment 81: What is the formula that is being used to calculate the projected numbers? Is it 0.5 children per residence, 1 child per residence, etc.?

Response: Projections of students from new residential developments are based on pupil yields from existing neighbourhoods across our attendance areas. These vary by geography and by dwelling unit type in order to recognize the unique growth patterns across our communities. As such, there is not a general assumption of 0.5 or 1 child per residence but rather the pupil yield assumptions vary by attendance area and type of unit being built.

Comment 80: How is the addition of the new Catholic school being calculated into the projected numbers?

Response: The projected enrolments at Sir Arthur Currie PS and the new Northwest London elementary school (TVDSB) are based on historical board-share (% of students) between the four publicly-funded school boards who receive students in the area. Historical board-share allows us to plan for long-term facility needs. Growth projections are updated on a an annual basis. Once known, any impacts on board-share that result from the opening of a new LDCSB elementary school in the area will be factored into future projections.

Comment 79: Which areas, and how many, new developments are included in the projected numbers?

Response: We have the following list of developments included in the projections within the Sir Arthur Currie PS attendance area as well as the two holding zones.

Sir Arthur Currie

39T-21506 – 1521 Sunningdale Road West
39T-05512 – 1196 Sunningdale Road West
39T-03505 – 1939 Buroak Crescent
SPA21-122 – 870 Medway Park Drive
SPA21-040 – 1761 Wonderland Road North
SPA20-070 – 1801 Hyde Park Road
SPA21-079 – 1656 Hyde Park Road
SPA22-023 – 1674 Hyde Park Road
SPA19-112 – 1870 Aldersbrook Gate
SPA19-079 – 809 Fanshawe Park Road West

Sunningdale North Holding

39T-16504 – 379 Sunningdale Road West
SPA21-036 – 310 Callaway Road
SPA20-007 – 2276 Torrey Pines Way
SPA21-119 – 100 Villagewalk Boulevard
39CD-22502 – 379 Sunningdale Road West, 2517 Meadowlands Way
39CD-21502 – 460 Callaway Road

Fox Hollow West Holding

39T-04510 – 1304 and 1315 Bush Hill Link, 2715 Buroak Drive, 1284 Sunningdale Road West, 1539 Bob Schramm Way, 3055 Buroak Drive
39T-11503 – 1602 Sunningdale Road West
SPA20-014 – 1485 Dyer Drive
SPA20-110 – 1235 Fanshawe Park Road West
SPA20-152 – 1955 Jim Hebb Way
SPA21-044 – 1595 Capri Crescent
39CD-20503 – 1605 Twilite Boulevard

Comment 78: Can we have the 2023 and 2028 projected enrollment data for ALL of the neighbouring schools?

Response: Enrolment projections for each school are included in the TVDSB’s Accommodation Plan. This document is currently in the process of being updated based on 2021-2022 school enrolments.

Comment 77: Is there space available, and does the school layout allow us, to accommodate a portapack that can be connected to the building and allow access to the buildings amenities without going outside?

Response: The layout of the new northwest London elementary school has not been established. This process will occur once land is acquired. During the design process, the site is designed to ensure the feasibility of potential expansions and provides for locations of temporary accommodations.

Comment 76: Will there be daycare (4 and under) available at the new Northwest school?

Response: There is an 88-space child care component that has been approved as part of the business case for the new school (10 spaces for infants, 30 spaces for toddlers, and 48 spaces for pre-schoolers).

Comment 75: How many projected students live on Tokala Trail: North of Wateroak? North of Medway Park? North of Silverfox?

Follow-Up Comment: We are wondering if we recommend to adjust the boundary slightly to include Tokala Trail (both East and West side), how would it impact projections. The areas we are looking at would be Tokala North of Wateroak, Tokala Trail north of Medway Park, and Tokala Trail north of Silverfox. The idea is that these homes literally back onto SAC, so we want to expand that boundary a little bit.

Response: This would result in approximately 16 additional students attending Sir Arthur Currie PS.

Comment 74: How many students, currently enrolled in each grade at Sir Arthur Currie P.S. are from the new Northwest School’s enrollment area and would be considered legacy?

Response: There are approximately 431 students currently attending Sir Arthur Currie PS (please see breakdown below) who would be attending the new northwest London elementary school. This would not include students from the Fox Hollow West holding zone who are currently attending Old North PS. Please note that that the new school is expected to open in approximately 4 years’ time and accordingly some of the students will have graduated by the time that the new school is operational. A decision regarding legacy agreements for current students has not been made. Trustees will consider this as part of their deliberations regarding the Final Attendance Area Review Report, expected to be presented in June, 2022 after the receipt of public feedback.

JK - 52
SK – 52
Gr1 – 50
Gr2 – 52
Gr3 – 34
Gr4 – 42
Gr5 – 43
Gr6 – 32
Gr7 – 35
Gr8 – 39

Comment 73: There are a number of higher density development planned in south London, including within the attendance areas of White Oaks PS and Rick Hansen PS. Is the TVDSB tracking all of these applications?

Response: TVDSB works closely with our municipal partners to track all development activity within our district in order to ensure that these are factored into the enrolment projections for our schools.

Comment 72: Will students in new holding zones be provided with busing to their holding school?

Response: Yes, busing is offered to elementary students who reside in excess of 1.6km from their designated school as per Student Transportation Services’ policy.

Comment 71: Where are the TVDSB’s Gifted Program classrooms located?

Response: There are currently 2 such classrooms in each of Mountsfield PS and Orchard Park PS.

Comment 70: How are boundary change options determined?

Response: Boundary change options are generally determined based on a number of factors, including available programming space, the location of student residences, transportation considerations, development activity and enrolment projections.

Comment 69: Are there legacy agreements planned that would allow current students to remain at their school as part of this process?

Response: Legacy Agreements for existing students to remain at their current schools do not form part of the proposal. However, these suggestions may certainly be submitted for Trustees’ consideration as part of the Attendance Area Review Subcommittee Report that each school involved in the review is preparing.

Comment 68: What is the cost to add a portable to a school site?

Response: TVDSB receives capital funding as part of a temporary accommodation grant for portable purchases and portables moves on a yearly basis. Based on the most recent Ministry communication, school boards are currently allocated $120,000 per portable for purchases and $30,000 per portable for relocations.

Comment 67: Why does the current proposed plan include allowing Victoria to continue to be underutilzed, and yet allow Mountsfield to grow to be an overpopulated school with 5 portables? Why move the current holding zone students at Victoria and move them to an overpopulated school?

Comment 66: Is there any consideration to move the southern border of Wortley south by one extra street to absorb some of Mountsfield students? What would be the estimated number of students to include Devonshire to the south (or perhaps it's better said, what streets would help to increase Wortley to 100% and decrease Mountsfield to a more reasonable utilization level?) Would a change such as this make a meaningful impact or would it just disrupt families without making a large impact? Could the board supply us with an updated chart of numbers to tell us the impact that this proposal might have on Wortley and Mountsfield?

Response: Wortley Road PS has a capacity of 292 students. There is some available space at the school (current utilization is approximately 87%). Should the school’s attendance area review subcommittee wish to recommend that the boundary be extended further south in order to reduce enrolment at Mountsfield PS, please include these details in the school’s subcommittee report and it will be considered as part of the analysis and preparation of the Final Attendance Area Review Report along with recommendations from all other subcommittees in this focus area.

Comment 65: What is the history of why the south border of Wortley zone is where it is and why is it such a jagged line at intersections? I.e., the line between Emery and Devonshire.

Response: School boundaries change over time due to attendance area reviews, decisions for which are made by the Board of Trustees. Any previous changes to the south boundary of the Wortley Road PS attendance area would have been made through this process based on the available space at schools in this area.

Comment 64: I would love to see a new school built for the Somerset, Northview and Southwood communities. My children currently attend Byron Somerset. Due to growth my daughter started her year in the lunchroom as there was no classroom for her. She moved to a new classroom in mid-December before securing two portables. My son is currently in a portable with 29 children. I am concerned about the amount of portables at the school and the increase in class sizes. With the increase in portables it creates issues for the children going into the school to the bathroom. There are not enough bathrooms to really meet the need of all the students as growth increases. Parking also becomes an issue. Our school also has an onsite daycare which contributes to parking congestion. There are stairs which lead down to the school from Griffith Street but they are basically unusable in Winter which leads to an increase in parents driving their children. It would be better for all parties involved - students, staff and the community to have a smaller school community for lower class sizes, access to bathroom facilities and parking.

Response: Thank you for your feedback. TVDSB has submitted a business case for a new school in west London as part of the previous two rounds of the Mnistry’s call for capital proposals and we are awaiting the results of the most recent round of funding. The intention is to continue seeking provincial funding for a new school in this area until it is approved.

Comment 63: Given that it can take up to 4 years to have the new school up and running, and we already forecast an over capacity in both Lambeth Public School and the new South West school by 2028 there need to be a talk about a second school in the south west ASAP.

Response: As indicated [in Comment 59], further capital investment will be required in southwest London in order to help manage the growing student enrolment in this area. TVDSB will be submitting additional requests for new schools in the area through future rounds of the Ministry of Education’s Capital Priorities Program, being the funding stream for this work.

Comment 62: Will there be [legacy agreements for] students in Lambeth Public School who are then going to be part of the new school attendance area?

Comment 61: What would the transition plan would be for students moving between schools? We suggest this process to be formalized and put in writing.

Response: We are committed to ensuring the most consistent transition possible for all students involved in this process. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity for collaboration with staff as part of this transition. If the proposed boundary changes proceed, all impacted students will be reviewed by incoming and sending school and all needs considered. Parent partnership in this will be critical to ensure student needs are met.

Comment 60: It is projected that by 2028 Lambeth Public School will be at 173% capacity and the new south west school at 127%, can you look at balancing this off by looking at boundary changes?

Response: As indicated [in Comment 58], a number of factors determined the configuration of the proposed attendance areas for the new school and Lambeth PS, including available programming space, the location of student residences, transportation considerations, development activity, the location of the future school, and enrolment projections. Additional capital investment will be needed in order to manage the growing enrolment in this area due to the development activity occurring here.

Comment 59: It is very concerning that even with the new school in the south west, Lambeth Public School (LPS) is still projected to host 20 portables. What will be the plan to support these portables with washrooms, and other common spaces like library and gym?

Response: Additional capital investment will be required in southwest London in order to help manage the growing student enrolment in this area. TVDSB will be submitting additional requests for new schools in the area through future rounds of the Ministry of Education’s Capital Priorities Program, being the funding stream for this work. We will ensure sufficient washroom, library, gym, and amenity spaces continue to be available to students at Lambeth PS.

Comment 58: Southwind neighborhood is an established old neighborhood in Lambeth, it was a surprise to see families in that community removed from the Lambeth Public Schools boarders.

Response: The proposed boundaries were determined based on a number of factors, including available programming space, the location of student residences, transportation considerations, development activity, the location of the future school, and enrolment projections.

Comment 57: Will there be an option for Intermediate students to remain at Lambeth PS rather than transfer to the new SW school once it is built?

Comment 56: Do the enrolment projections factor in enrolment growth within the current Aberdeen PS attendance area?

Response: Yes. Approximately 90% of the growth in this area within the current projection horizon will be in the form of apartment units and these have been included in the analysis.

Comment 55: What are the impacts on busing from the boundary changes under consideration?

Response: The following is a summary of impacts on busing from the changes being considered:

New Northwest London Elementary School (Approved School)

The new school in Northwest London will be situated close to Sir Arthur Currie PS. The proposed boundary for the new school would include the current Fox Hollow West area, which is currently holding students at Old North (Ryerson) PS. The new attendance area will also include southern areas of the current Sir Arthur Currie PS attendance area.

With the addition of the new school in northwest London, approximately 490 students within its proposed attendance area would be eligible for busing. In addition, 125 students would be eligible for busing to Sir Arthur Currie if the proposed boundary is implemented.

There are currently 7 vehicles transporting students to Sir Arthur Currie PS and 4 vehicles transporting students to Old North PS, for a total of 11 vehicles. A net gain of 1 vehicle is anticipated in order to accommodate the new school: 9 vehicles would be needed to transport students to the New Northwest London Elementary School and 3 vehicles would be needed to transport students to Sir Arthur Currie PS.

New West London Elementary School (Proposed School)

The proposed new West London Elementary School would be situated in what is now the northern portion of the Byron Northview PS attendance area. It would include the areas that are currently holding at Byron Somerset PS, and also take in the northern part of the Byron Northview PS boundary, south of the Thames River and some areas south of Oxford St. W.

With the addition of the new school in the Riverbend area, 191 students within its proposed attendance boundary would be bus-eligible. In addition, 23 students would be bus eligible to Byron Northview PS.

By returning the holding zone students from Byron Somerset to Byron Southwood, the number of bus eligible students at Byron Southwood would increase from 275 to approximately 362.

With the construction of the new school and the return of holding zone students to Byron Southwood, approximately 60 students would be eligible for busing to Byron Somerset.

There are currently 14 vehicles transporting students to Byron area schools. A net gain of 1 vehicle is anticipated in order to accommodate the new school.

New Southwest London Elementary School (Approved School)

The proposed school in southwest London would be located in the Talbot neighbourhood and its attendance boundary would be primarily comprised of the Holding Zones in the area, namely, the Bostwick Holding at Sir Isaac Brock PS, the Colonel Talbot Holding at Rick Hansen PS, the Southwest London Holdings at White Oaks PS as well as the Talbot Village Phase 2 Holding at W. Sherwood Fox PS. The proposed attendance area would also include a portion of what is now the Lambeth PS boundary proximal to the holding zones.

With the addition of the new Southwest London Elementary School, approximately 425 students within its proposed attendance area would be bus-eligible. Approximately 222 students would continue to be eligible for busing to Lambeth PS.

By accommodating the holding zone students from W. Sherwood Fox at the new Southwest London Elementary School, there would be no remaining bus-eligible students at this school.

There are no bus-eligible students attending Rick Hansen PS. Three fewer students would be eligible for busing to White Oaks PS as a result of the new attendance area for the new Southwest London Elementary School.

By accommodating holding zone students from Sir Isaac Brock PS at the new Southwest London Elementary School, 7 of the 232 students who are currently eligible for busing to Sir Isaac Brock would remain so.

There are currently 20 vehicles transporting students in this area of Southwest London. Three less vehicles would be required as a result of the proposed boundary for the new Southwest London Elementary School.

Eagle Heights PS and South London Holding Zones (Proposed Boundary Changes)

A net gain of 0-1 buses would be needed in order to accommodate the boundary changes proposed in this focus area. Additional buses would be added as students from the Bostwick Holding Zone substantiate and attend Victoria PS.

Downtown London (Proposed Boundary Changes)

A net gain of 1-2 buses is expected in order to facilitate the boundary change between St. George’s PS and Aberdeen PS. No changes would result as part of the proposed boundary change between St. George’s PS and Old North PS.

Comment 54: The Attendance Area Review is an issue of key short-term interest to our community that we are following closely -- especially in light of the intense population growth that London is experiencing and the approval of several much-needed medium- and high-density residential infill projects in the nearby area which are within our boundaries.

We were pleased to see the recommendations to adjust the east and north boundaries but we remain frustrated that the initial report did not address the large -- and growing -- number of students coming from west of Wonderland Road on the far side of our oversized catchment area. While Eagle Heights is already overly large for an elementary school -- and slated to remain so with the recent funding approval of yet another building expansion -- other schools west of Wonderland including Riverside, Wilfred Jury, and Clara Brenton could accommodate children living west of Wonderland where they would be attending schools much closer to their neighbourhood.
We urge the Board and consultants to review the school population attendance and growth projections in this part of our catchment area. We will continue to follow these important neighbourhood issues and engage with Staff and Board members with our feedback.

Response: Thank you for your correspondence. The Initial Attendance Area Review Report for elementary schools in London examined all attendance areas across the City in order to determine how to best provide enrolment pressure relief for those schools that require it, taking into account both current and projected enrolment. Proximal schools that are located to the west of Eagle Heights PS are either already full or are accommodating students from other schools in this part of the City. The 300 pupil place addition at Eagle Heights PS will provide permanent space for students in this attendance area. We are actively monitoring development activity across the district, including those projects proposed near Eagle Heights PS and north of Oxford Street West, and have advised our partners at the City of our need for a school site in this area in order to accommodate students should those developments proceed.

Comment 53: Why is this elementary boundary review happening?

Response: The purpose of the review is to balance enrolment across elementary schools in London in order to ensure that, where it is logical and practical to do so, enrolment is evenly distributed across facilities. The review also proposes to establish attendance areas for approved and proposed new schools and to eliminate historic holding zones where it is feasible to do so in order that students may attend a more proximal school to their place of residence.

Comment 52: Who makes the decision regarding the boundary changes?

Response: The Board of Trustees.

Comment 51: When is the Board of Trustees expected to make a decision regarding the attendance area review?

Response: June 2022.

Comment 51: When will the decisions of the Board be implemented?

Response: Any boundary changes would be implemented no earlier than September 2023. The establishment of new holding zones may be implemented earlier. Attendance areas for new schools would take effect when the respective schools open.

Comment 50: Why are there 5 focus areas for this review?

Response: This attendance area review process has been split into 5 focus areas based on geography (Eagle Heights and surrounding area, Downtown London, Northwest London, West London, and Southwest London). Each attendance area review committee meeting will be focused on a specific area of the city and the schools involved in that review.

Comment 49: What is a holding zone?

Response: A holding zone is an area defined by a geographic boundary, within an attendance area (usually with high concentrations of new or imminent development), for which the Trustees have approved that students residing in it are to attend a specified school based on available capacity, until such a time as long-term accommodation and related revised attendance areas can be established.

Comment 48: Is there anything planned for the secondary panel?

Response: Yes, secondary boundaries in London are planned to be reviewed through a further process that will commence in the 2022-2023 school year.

Comment 47: How do I get involved in the process and provide feedback?

Response: Each school involved in the attendance area review has parent/guardian representatives on the attendance area review committee that has been formed for their area. Attendance area review committee members from each school will be hosting sub-committee meetings with their respective school communities in order to obtain feedback regarding the proposed boundary changes under consideration. All members of the school community are welcome to attend the meetings and provide comments and recommendations to their attendance area review committee representatives, who will assemble a school community report for Trustee’s consideration as part of the decision-making process.

Comment 46: When will the new Northwest, Southwest and West London elementary schools open?

Response: The Ministry of Education approved a new 802-pupil place elementary school in northwest London and a new 804-pupil place elementary school in southwest London. TVDSB is currently in the process of securing land for each new school. Once land is obtained, it will take approximately 42-48 months for each school to be opened. This timing includes design, the Ministry of Education’s capital approval process, municipal approvals and construction. TVDSB is actively seeking funding from the Ministry for the new West London elementary school but approval has not yet been obtained.

Comment 45: How do I stay up to date with this process?

Response: A dedicated website has been set up for this attendance area review. It includes important documents, a question and answer page, and information regarding the process as well as the attendance area review committees. The website may be accessed here: www.tvdsb.ca/LAAR

Comment 44: If boundaries will be changing for Byron Southwood when can we expect this to be implemented?

Response: At this time, the boundaries are not proposed to change until a new West London elementary school is approved by the Ministry of Education and more specifically until the school opens, subject to Trustee approval. Following the Ministry’s approval of a school in this area, TVDSB would work to secure land. Once land is acquired, it is expected that the process to design and build the school will take approximately 42-48 months, including additional approvals required by the Ministry.

Comment 43: With all this talk of schools being built for London would anyone like to update the Belmont Community on your plans for our new school? Can we expect a school by 2023/24? Where is land purchase at? How are you working to the municipality to get a place for the school to be built? What are you going to do when the doors on the Belmont school finally opens and multiple portables are required since Belmont keeps growing rapidly while you keep the spotlight on city needs and keep ignoring rural needs.

Response: TVDSB has been working closely with the Municipality of Central Elgin in order to secure a school site within a planned development in Belmont. Unfortunately, TVDSB cannot control the timing of that subdivision as this rests with the developer. We have communicated the importance of this project and the critical need to acquire the site as quickly as possible to the developer and will purchase the site as soon as it is available. Once land is obtained, it will take approximately 42-48 months for the school to be opened. This timing includes design, the Ministry of Education’s capital approval process, municipal approvals and construction. We continue to monitor development activity in all areas of the district, including Belmont, and will ensure appropriate accommodations continue to be provided to students as the community grows.

Comment 42: I know your intention is to focus on overcrowding, but equity can fit in there too. There should not be a Mountsfield when we have an Aberdeen, for example. Current school boundaries ensure the continuation of haves and have-not schools. Redrawing boundaries with an equity lens is at least as important as the crowding issue.

Response: All of our Thames Valley schools offer the same supports and resources to all students, as required. We are committed to ensuring that every student has access to the same opportunities. Boundary change options are determined based on many factors, including available programming space, the location of student residences, transportation considerations, development activity and enrolment projections. The establishment of attendance areas is a function of the physical location of schools, along with these factors.

Comment 41: With the announcement in the news of a "mega development" at 323 Oxford St. West, 92 Proudfoot Lane and 825 Proudfoot Lane, this looks like it could bring Eagle Heights over capacity once again which it seems like another addition will not solve. Per the January 25 board meeting it was noted that attention was being paid to potential development at Masonville and the option of a podium school there. It would make sense to look at the same option with this development.

Response: TVDSB monitors new development applications on an ongoing basis and requests school sites in areas where there is a need for new schools, including the Eagle Heights PS attendance area. TVDSB is supportive of innovative ways to incorporate schools into communities and will pursue podium schools where appropriate.

Comment 40: Looking at Table 4-1 in the January 25, 2022 Agenda Package and it appears that the new Northwest school is projected to have 20 portables by 2028. Looking at Table 7-1 their proximal school of Emily Carr a multi-story addition to that school would be mutually beneficial as pressure could be relieved on both by also adjusting the boundary to include students living south of Fanshawe Park Road.

Response: The Ministry of Education approved a new Northwest London Elementary School in 2020 that will be accommodating a significant number of students in this area of the city. TVDSB will be exploring additional accommodation options for future growth in this area as new developments continue to build out.

Comment 39: I grew up in Norfolk County. At one point I took a half hour bus ride to the county line to transfer, and travel another hour to my school in Elgin. I moved to London ten years ago, when I had my daughter we moved across the street from an elementary school. I am being told she cannot go to it as we are sitting right on the border. So I have to walk her 15 mins to her bus stop to be picked up and driven to the other side of our jurisdiction. I don't drive so if there's an emergency (first period, forgot lunch, etc.) I would have to trek a half hour on foot to get to her. Again there is a school across the street from us. I get there has to be strict borders somewhere, just wish they could be blurred a bit in certain circumstances. So much for being part of a neighborhood.

Response: Thank you for your comments. TVDSB has a process for considering out-of-area exemption requests for elementary students, outlined in the Board procedure on this matter at the following link: Procedure 4012a.

Comment 38: My family lives in Riverbend and our children currently attend Byron Northview P.S. They are currently bussed to school due to the distance. In reviewing the proposed new West London school location, my immediate concern is that all of the children living in Riverbend will have to cross Oxford Street to get to school. This is an extremely busy road. I am especially concerned for my child with ADHD crossing that road. If our children are going to have to switch schools anyway, I would seriously consider sending our kids to St. Nicholas in the Catholic board, which is in Riverbend, rather than having them walk across Oxford St. to get to school.

Response: Thank you for your comments. Sites for new schools are generally only available in new developments across the City, with school boards being provided opportunities to request and ultimately purchase property in these areas. Student safety is of the utmost importance when selecting sites for new schools. TVDSB Administration also works with our Student Transportation Services partners to ensure that all students are able to travel to school safely.

Comment 37: Looking at the Eagle Heights Public School boundary area, how are student numbers distributed across the boundary map? The highest numbers of students are coming from the west end- Beaverbrook and Capulet area as well as the Proudfoot-Sugar Creek areas? And then high numbers at Cherry Hill with fewer children coming from the east, Blackfriars and Petersville currently?

Response: TVDSB can confirm that the majority of students reside within the Proudfoot Lane and Sugarcreek Trail area as well as the area north of Beaverbrook Avenue and south of Sarnia Road. A substantial number of students also reside in the area of Beaverbrook Avenue and Capulet Lane as well the area north of Cherryhill Village Mall.

Comment 36: While Eagle Heights Public School is over capacity, the land it sits on allows for students to play soccer and expend energy in a large green space and the students have access to two gyms. Has it been taken into account that moving approximately 165 Grade 7 and 8 students to Victoria Public School will have a significant impact on Victoria's postage stamp size school yard and the separate small gym building which are extremely small by comparison to what our children have experienced at Eagle Heights.This feels very restrictive for our children.

Secondly, we have already been told by Student Transportation Services (STS) to expect the probability of bus cancellations due to driver shortages (our oldest child takes the school bus to Sir Frederick Banting SS). Many Grade 7 and 8 students are able to walk from the Beaverbrook apartments , our son only has to walk one street away to reach Eagle Heights PS, but now we are considering transporting more students, with a new issue of driver shortages and cancelled transportation.We are changing one problem for the school board to another for parents.

Third, in moving students to Victoria PS, would their home schools for secondary still be based on their home address? Overall, these changes serve a purpose of shifting numbers and statistics for the school board but does not account for the needs and wellbeing of the students and their families who now face siblings being located at two school sites. Personally we do not want our children split into separate schools to stop gap an accommodation issue that cannot be solved even in the long term without significant investment in building facilities to manage population growth.

Response: The suitability of a school to receive students is considered as part of all Attendance Area Review processes. Given the current and projected enrolment at Victoria Public School, the available space and facilities at the school are suitable to accommodate Grade 7 and 8 students from Eagle Heights PS. TVDSB is in the process of reviewing secondary school boundaries across London and will be launching a complementary attendance area review for this work. The elementary-secondary feeder school relationship for students attending Eagle Heights PS, and any associated changes resulting from the proposal to accommodate Grade 7 and 8 students at Victoria PS, will be considered as part of that review.

Comment 35: I feel that most parents I have talked to want their children to go to a nice sized elementary school. They are happy to send their child to a school of 250 or 300, even a school of 400-600 is ok. But past that, London is getting some big schools and most parents think that's too big. 1,000 is ok for a high school but not an elementary school. Schools are an important part of the community. Being able to have school concerts and events where the whole school family is about to attend together are important. When schools get too big, it becomes hard to organize assemblies, special events, opportunities for all kids to participate in sports and activities. Creating community and a sense of belonging are important in elementary school as well as accountability for your behaviour.

The new northwest London school is going to be built for 800+ students. That's too big! Eagle Heights PS is too big. Speaking from my perspective, I don't support making Eagle Heights any bigger. 640 is a good size for a big busy elementary school and realistically the school will continue to have some portables and be bigger...it shouldn't go higher than 750/800 max.

The students could give you feedback. You can ask them about the changes and the feel and what they've experienced in the last few years as the school went from 700 to over 1000. Teachers too.  As a parent I don't support mega schools; these big schools. Think about student behaviour, bullying.. The way the northwest has been laid out, there is a large distance between schools. We would rather have smaller neighbourhood schools our children can walk to, and school communities where everyone belongs and feels safe, buzzing with learning and activity but not crowded and chaotic.

Comment 34: Thank-you for all the work that's gone into the planning and research and reports thus far.  The recommendation to change the eastern boundary for Eagle Heights PS makes sense. To have families who live east of the Thames River attend St. George's PS or a downtown school makes sense and is a good natural boundary. It makes sense for traffic and bus transportation coordination rather than sending these students to Eagle Heights and having buses sitting in downtown traffic during rush hour on Oxford St and Richmond St as well as having to navigate traffic on Wharncliffe Rd and over to Wonderland Rd as well for bus routes for students attending Eagle Heights. This is a smart suggestion.  At present, the area north of Oxford, the report says, only affects five students? Some years is it more? This suggestion to have families from this area attend University Heights PS also makes sense logistically from a traffic and bus transportation perspective if they don't have the option to walk to their local school which is preferable.

Response: TVDSB has not had more than five students in the area proposed to be accommodated at University Heights PS over the last five years.

Comment 33: The renovations at Eagle Heights PS in 2014-2015 included a two-storey addition, a new gymnasium and music room for instrumental music. The Grade 7 and 8 students at Eagle Heights have their classrooms located upstairs in the new addition. This has created an intermediate or middle school area within the school for those students. The big kids get to be upstairs...it has a high school feel within the big school. The Grade 7 and 8s enjoy Phys. Ed classes in the large gymnasiums and have many opportunities to participate in intermural sports and school teams with the two gymnasiums and playing fields. Eagle Heights has an instrumental music program and has had intermediate school concert bands. This has made for a rich school experience for Intermediate students at Eagle Heights. Can you tell parents and the students from Eagle Heights about Victoria Public School? In your planning do you just look at numbers and classroom space or do you also look at suitability? What is the gym like at Victoria Public School? Can it accommodate all those Grade 7 and 8 students for their full gym time? What about sports and the arts?

Comment 32: Is there space for a French Immersion public school in the northwest of London for families in this area of the city and parts of Middlesex County to the north?

Response: Louise Arbour French Immersion PS is the designated French Immersion school for the area north of Fanshawe Park Road West and west of Wonderland Road North, as well as adjacent areas of Middlesex County to the north. There is space available at the school in order to accommodate the projected FI enrolment in this area.

Comment 31: Of the impacted schools in this review, how many or which ones were originally built to contain only grades K-6? Do the original plans for the schools factor into some of these recommendations?

Response: The following schools involved in the London Elementary Panel attendance area review were at one time K-6 schools:
Rick Hansen PS
Sir Isaac Brock PS
University Heights PS
These schools were converted to K-8 and the current review is not proposing to restrucrue these schools back to K-6.

Comment 30: It absolutely makes sense to consider French Immersion schools when we are planning. The strength of French Immersion schools lie in their staff, school team and community of families not necessarily the physical structure of the school where they are located.  Yes we have to consider Jeanne Sauve FI PS...it doesn't make a lot of sense that 90+ per cent of the student population is bussed to that location.  Also just a question : What is the capacity at Northbrae Public School? And Louis Arbour FI PS? And their current student populations?  Would it be possible to switch locations?  French Immersion at current Northbrae PS and then would Louise Arbour be large enough to accommodate children from Kipps Lane?

Response: Northbrae PS has a capacity of 380 students (current enrolment is 423), while Louise Arbour French Immersion PS has a capacity of 783 students (current enrolment of 608). Unfortunately, swapping the two school facilities would not be practical given the current enrolment of each school. In addition, the Ministry of Education has a moratorium in place for Pupil Accommodation Reviews, which is the process that would have to be followed in order to relocate more than 50% of an English track school’s student population.

At the November 23, 2021 Board meeting, Trustees requested that Administration include Lord Roberts French Immersion PS, Jeanne Sauvé French Immersion PS, and Louise Arbour French Immersion PS in the review. An updated Initial Attendance Area Review Report will follow in early 2022.

Comment 29: Eagle Heights Public School has strong supports in place for English Language Learners and for students who need academic supports due to gaps or disruptions in their schooling. For older students (the Grade 7 and 8s) it's even more critical that they receive the ESL and academic support they need to be set up for success as they graduate and move on to high school. Younger students learn and adapt quickly.

Students who were older (past those primary grades) when they started going to school in English, need ongoing support. Teachers at Eagle Heights in the Intermediate grades would be able to tell you there is still a wide gap and need for supports for students to meet their full potential. The school closures from COVID-19 increased this gap and need for some students. How is this being considered in the proposal to send the Grade 7 and 8s to Victoria Public School? How would students be supported? Staff, ESL programs, resources, homeroom teacher awareness?

Response: All our Thames Valley schools offer the same supports and resources to all students, as required. We are committed to ensuring the most consistent transition possible for all students involved in this process. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity for collaboration with staff as part of the student transition process.

Comment 28: During the presentation, there was mention of a podium school. This was explained to be a school located within an apartment complex or highrise unit? Would playgrounds and land for schoolyard be considered in planning this type of school for outdoor play, fresh air and physical education for these children?

Response: Outdoor recreation and amenity spaces are key components in the planning of podium schools.

Comment 27: What is happening with Westminster Central Public School? Is the board really planning to close this school? Why? It is described as a vibrant, fast growing school and the south end of the city is developing. Why would the board close this school?

Response: Westminster Central PS will be closing at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. The school’s closure was approved in 2017 alongside the approval of new elementary schools in southeast London and Belmont. The Westminster Central attendance area has been divided between these two new schools.

Comment 26: This all seems like a band-aid solution for the downtown area. New schools built on the outskirts to alleviate downtown issues is not a real solution. And when factoring in all the new development and redevelopment that will happen downtown in the coming years a new school downtown would be ideal. This would alleviate pressure on St Georges and replace the capacity lost when Lorne Ave was demolished.

I feel like Lord Roberts French Immersion PS wasn't factored into the equation or decision-making when the best possible solution is to make it an English-speaking public school for the downtown area kids. This avoids bussing and sending kids across boundary lines and serves a growing area in the core where lots of development will be taking place. It also maximizes use of Lord Roberts as most families in that area go there because it is the local school not because it is FI. And the majority of the kids bussed into Lord Roberts go there not for FI but because their school performs poorly (Aberdeen PS and Victoria PS come to mind).

In my opinion, Lord Roberts should be the local English-speaking school for the downtown area. And a downtown school should be built along with the redevelopment of the area. There are lots of areas downtown that could be utilized for a new school...the York Street and Horton Street corridors between Wellington Street and Adelaide Street would be ideal. This could even be a FI school to replace Lord Roberts as the areas FI school.

I am a new resident to Woodfield and have kids that go to St. George's PS and have had many discussions with people in the area about this. It seems like a rush to move kids around when there is an easier solution in converting Lord Roberts to a neighbourhood school while the city redevelops the core.

Response: The delivery of the French Immersion programming was reviewed in 2019, and various changes were implemented in the Fall of 2020. TVDSB monitors all new development activity on an ongoing basis and incorporates this information into all accommodation planning decisions. The new school in northwest London will alleviate enrolment pressure at Ryerson PS because that school is currently a holding school that is accommodating students from the north end of the city on an interim basis. A significant number of pupil spaces will become available at Ryerson PS to help manage the anticipated enrolment growth that will occur downtown in the coming years.

Comment 25: For the proposed grade restructure for Eagle Heights PS, the report lists that as a 2023 change. Is the plan to have Eagle Heights become a Kindergarten to Grade 6 school in September 2023? Or would the change be happening in the upcoming school year 2022-2023?

Response: The proposed grade restructuring at Eagle Heights PS is recommended to take effect in September of 2023.

Comment 24: For families in the Old South neighbourhood, if they want their children to attend French Immersion, what school do they go to currently? Are they bussed?

Response: Lord Roberts French Immersion PS and Princess Elizabeth PS are the designated French Immersion schools for students residing in Old South. The school locator tool that shows attendance boundaries for each school may be found here. Transportation eligibility is determined by distance. Student Transportation Services’ Transportation Eligibility Policy may be found via this link.

Comment 23: If the school at Empress Avenue and Wharncliffe was made an English Track school, would this solve the overcapacity issues at Eagle Heights Public School?

Response: The school referenced in your correspondence is Jeanne Sauvé French Immersion PS. At the November 23, 2021 Board meeting, Trustees requested that Administration include Lord Roberts French Immersion PS, Jeanne Sauvé French Immersion PS, and Louise Arbour French Immersion PS in the review. An updated Initial Attendance Area Review Report will follow in early 2022.

Comment 22: I think it's safe to say that most families want their children to be able to attend a school close to their home, in their own neighbourhood. We are also becoming increasingly aware of the urgent need to address climate change and to take this into consideration as a priority in our planning in the City of London currently and moving forward.

In our planning we want to see things from a lens where we maximize the number of students in the City of London who are able to walk to their neighbourhood school (or use active transportation- walk, bike or scooter), and and minimize the need for school bus transportation within the city of London, minimizing the cost of bus transportation as well as consumption of fuel and negative impacts on the environment as well as contributing to traffic congestion in the city.

The current pattern of planning using holding zones and bussing students to schools far from their home is not efficient economically, nor convenient for families nor environmentally responsible. Will the board make this a priority to consider in this planning process? (Active transportation- vs reliance on bus transportation in the city)

Response: Encouraging active transportation is a priority for the Thames Valley District School Board and is considered in accommodation planning decisions. Holding zones are temporary measures until permanent accommodation solutions can be implemented through the construction of new schools, additions to existing schools, or the creation of additional pupil spaces at existing schools through renovations.

Comment 21: Can you explain the meaning of the term co-terminus board? And also explain about the opportunity to partner and look at mutual interests? Are these neighbouring school boards like Lambton-Kent, Avon-Maitland etc., or boards within the city?

Response: Co-terminous boards refers to other school boards within the same district. The London District Catholic School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French public), and Conseil scolaire catholique Providence (French Catholic) are the co-terminous boards in our area. TVDSB holds regular discussions with our partners in order to explore co-build and collaboration opportunities wherever appropriate.

Comment 20: What are the current state for Clara Brenton Public School? Is Clara Brenton not also over capacity? In 2019-2020, Clara Brenton was at around 130 per cent and Eagle Heights at 144 per cent? Why is Clara Brenton not being considered in this review?

In the Beaverbrook neighbourhood, west of Wonderland Road and south of Sarnia Road, some families are sent to Clara Brenton and some to Eagle Heights PS. Why has a new school not been considered for this area of the city to address the overcrowding at Eagle Heights?

Response: Clara Brenton PS is projected to slowly decline in enrolment in the coming years. As a result, it was not included in this review. The Thames Valley District School Board monitors new development applications on an ongoing basis and requests school blocks in areas where there is a need for new schools. An addition was deemed to be more appropriate to accommodate enrolment pressure at Eagle Heights PS but to date the TVDSB has not received funding for this project from the Ministry of Education and thus an attendance area review is planned to help manage enrolment.

Comment 19: Is Clara Brenton Public School considered to be an overutilized school currently? What is Clara Brenton's current over-utilization rate and the predictions for that school. Why is Clara Brenton not included in the report and Section 7?

Response: Clara Brenton PS is currently operating above capacity but is projected to gradually decline in enrolment as the surrounding neighbourhood has matured. As a result, the school was not included in Section 7 of the Report.

Comment 18: How many portables are currently in use (or expected to be deployed this year ) in total in London? Can you advise how many portables would be removed as a result of each of the particular but yet to be submitted and approved capital cases that the report contemplates (future new schools and additions noted in the report).

Response: There are 173 portables in use at elementary schools across London. The following is a breakdown of portables that would be removed or not needed in order to accommodate growth in the 3 areas where new schools have been approved or proposed. (Pupil capacities have not been calculated for future schools and additions which have not yet been submitted to the Ministry. Those schools and additions will be sized to minimize reliance on portables, taking into account the sizes of available sites.)

Northwest London – 29 net portables removed or not needed by 2028
West London – 20 net portables removed or not needed by 2028
Southwest London – 33 net portables removed or not needed by 2028

Comment 17: How many portables will be eliminated through this process?

Response: By 2028, approximately 110 portables would have been eliminated or not have been needed as a result of the boundary changes involving Eagle Heights and Downtown review areas, the construction of three new schools in northwest, west and southwest London as well as the establishment of new holding zones in Uplands North and Northeast London and the holding zone amendment in the Bostwick neighbourhood.

Comment 16: Are French Immersion boundaries being reconsidered given the new growth in various parts of the city. For example, northwest corner has students going to three different schools (depending on what portion of northwest London they live in)? Would any consideration be given to having the elementary school being built in NW London be French Immersion. Are mainstream or English speaking school boundaries being reconsidered given changes in population pockets in city?

Response: French Immersion boundaries are not currently proposed to be altered as part of this attendance area review process as student spaces within these schools are generally well utilized. English track boundaries are being reviewed due to the enrolment imbalance across various schools in this part of our district. The new Northwest London elementary school that has been approved by the Ministry of Education has been approved as a kindergarten toGrade 8 English track school.

Comment 15: I am wondering about the changes to the Southern boundary of St. George's district and where the proposed cut off will be, to current knowledge? We are a single working parent family who is dependent on proximity to school as we do not have a car. Having a child with special needs who cannot navigate the bus independently adds more concern. I do not own a home, so have to consider if we were to move from our current rental, it would likely require a full year lease at minimum. If the border is to change in September 2023 (which at first sounded a long time away....) that means we may actually have to start thinking about moving within the next year. With the financial impact of Covid, that has made it challenging to save for the cost to do so, as is the extreme increase in rent. I am wondering if these types of situations are considered and if there are ever exceptions? It seems from talking to friends with children over the years, many of the schools which are chosen to take on "excess" students are very far away from the original boundary neighbourhoods and I am concerned about the impact this would have on our family.

Response: Phase 1 of the proposed boundary adjustment for St. George’s PS would have students who reside south of Dufferin Avenue (including on the south side of Dufferin Avenue) attend Aberdeen PS. When the new elementary school in northwest London opens, Phase 2 of the proposed changes would have students from the northerly portion of the St. George’s PS attendance area attend Ryerson PS. If the proposed boundary changes proceed, impacted students will be reviewed by receiving and sending schools and all needs will be considered. Parent and guardian partnership in this will be critical to ensure student needs are met.

Comment: That is very helpful to know! I do think these are very positive changes as St.George's enrollment has literally doubled (from what I was told) since the year my now 3rd grader started kindergarten and I can't imagine where else they could fit more portables! It's an awesome school but I have noticed the changes with difficulty accessing services, more troubled students, etc. since they have increased their numbers so dramatically (maybe when the nearby east end school closed).

Comment 14: I have two children attending St. George's Public School and I live on the south side of Dufferin Ave. I am looking for more clarity on the boundaries for both the short-term and long-term plans. Is it that both the north AND south sides of Dufferin Ave. continue to attend St. George's? Based on the power point slide deck it appears that way but I was hoping to get more clarification. Power point slide deck wording - "Southern portion of St. George’s attendance area (south of Dufferin Street) to attend Aberdeen PS (90 students + growth)."

Comment 13: Do any of the proposed new holding zones have existing TVDSB students residing in them?

Response: None of the new holding zones being proposed have existing students. In addition, the holding zone amendment that would have new families within the Bostwick area attend Woodland Heights PS rather than Sir Isaac Brock PS (current holding school) would not affect any current students at the school.

Comment 12: How many student spaces would be required by 2025-2026 in order to accommodate the number of elementary school students expected across the City?

Response: 6,469 spaces would be required based on the total OTG (On The Ground) capacity of our schools today and not including schools that have or will be proposed.

Comment 11: Has introducing French Immersion programming at underutilized schools been considered?

Response: This has been considered and while expanding FI programming across our district is desirable, we do not have a sufficient number of FI teachers in order to do so.

Comment 10: Has the proposed redevelopment of the block at the southeast corner of St. George Street and Ann Street been considered in the enrolment projections for this portion of the Eagle Heights PS attendance area (proposed to attend St. George’s PS once the new northwest London elementary school opens)?

Response: This development has been considered and is not expected to yield many kids as it is proposed to consist of housing for university and college students.

Comment 9: What is the current enrolment of Louise Arbour FI PS?

Response: There are 608 students at this school (OTG of 783).

Comment 8: In the site plans for future schools, can the Board please plan for placements of portapacks (portable classrooms)? Looking at where growth/density will be happening it would be a good idea to be proactive to plan for those temporary (but really permanent structures). Children need access to adequate washroom facilities and that would address that need.

Response: The placement of future temporary classrooms is considered in the layout of each new school site and the washroom needs of each facility are determined on a school by school basis.

Comment 7: Can you provide clarity on what it means for holding zone students from Victoria PS to be permanently accommodated at Mountsfield PS? If the holding zone is a geographical zone, please provide a map. If the holding zone is a volume capacity, please provide clarity on how many additional students Mountsfield can expect to receive on a yearly basis compared to current enrollments.

Response: The presentation and report outlining the proposed changes may be found here, including maps. There are approximately 35 students who reside within the Highlands holding zone that is currently being accommodated at Victoria PS. Mountsfield PS is a more proximal neighbourhood school for students in this area.

Comment 6: The Watson Report is entirely focused on head counts and future development projections. There doesn't appear to be any consideration of the socio-economic makeup of students at each school with a view to encouraging positive educational outcomes. Research shows that children from poorer neighbourhoods have better outcomes when in a school with mixed income levels. At the very least, a metric of income diversity for each school should be presented, with a before and after value resulting from proposed boundary changes.

Response: TVDSB supports diversity in all of our schools. The boundary change options were determined based on a number of factors, including available programming space, the location of student residences, transportation considerations, development activity and enrolment projections. The establishment of attendance areas is a function of the physical location of schools along with these factors.

Comment 5: If I'm looking in the correct resource that you linked, the maps are on page 4 of 28. I'm hoping you can clarify one more thing about them, as I'm sure there is an explanation of which I am just unaware.

These maps seem to detail 2020/2021 and 2025/2026 attendance utilization capacities, respectively. It looks like in both maps Victoria Public School is less full to capacity than Mountsfield Public School. I'm hoping you can clarify what I am misreading, as it wouldn't seem to make sense to change boundaries so that an already fuller capacity school takes students that currently go to a less full capacity school. I'm also concerned about the chart further down in the document that anticipates five portables in the near future at Mountsfield PS. This will severely diminish the capacity of outdoor space which is one of the things our community highly values at the school. I am a parent member of the School Council at Mountsfield PS this year, and would like to be able to share any clarifications at our future meetings.

Response: The return of the Highlands Holding Zone students to their home school at Mountsfield PS would create additional space at Victoria PS, which is proposed to accommodate Grade 7 and 8 students from Eagle Heights PS. Eagle Heights currently has 18 portables on site and is proposed to be restructured to a K-6 school as part of this Attendance Area Review process. Please note that projected portable counts are approximate only.

Comment 4: When will a similar review be done for the secondary schools? This increase in volume of students into elementary schools will cause the same problem (even more so) when all those students need to attend high school. Our children are currently zoned to attend Saunders which is very far from our location. Are there plans to rezone or to build a new high school in the south west area as well? It would be great if this study was done starting now when the issue is known rather than when the issue has already started and kids have to change schools partway through through their high school years. How can we as parents get more involved to push this along?

Response: The Thames Valley District School Board is contemplating changes to the secondary panel as part of the London Attendance Area Review. Given the scope of this review, secondary recommendations will be presented at a later date. Community members will have an opportunity to provide comments to the Board of Trustees as part of this process once an Initial Attendance Area Review Report for the secondary panel is available. More information regarding the secondary portion of the London Attendance Area Review will be posted on the dedicated website as it becomes available.

Comment 3: I agree that St. George's is over-enrolled. I have twins attending junior kindergarten this year, and was dismayed to find out that their classroom is not only on the third floor, but also does not have a bathroom - causing frequent and disruptive accidents. My question, as we live on Thornton, between Grosvenor and St. James, in phase 2, would we then transfer to Ryerson?

Response: When the new elementary school in northwest London opens, Ryerson PS will no longer be a holding school for that area and will have capacity for a boundary change with St. George’s PS. At that time, the northern portion of the St. George’s PS attendance area, which includes Thornton Avenue between Grosvenor Street and St. James Street, would be moved to Ryerson PS. The new northwest London elementary school is expected to take 42-48 months to design and construct once land is secured.

Comment 2: Have you taken into account the development that will take place on the north side of Oxford Street West between Proudfoot Lane and the Cherryhill apartments. The city said it will be putting a traffic light at Beaverbrook and Oxford Street as that land will be developed.

Response: The Thames Valley District School Board monitors all new development activity on an ongoing basis and incorporates this information into all accommodation planning decisions. TVDSB has received notice of the development proposed for the lands to the north of Eagle Heights Public School between Proudfoot Lane and Cherryhill Village, and has considered the impact it will have on student accommodation. We’re collaborating with the City of London in order to ensure that adequate school accommodations are available for students from this development.

Comment 1: a. How are schools selected to be "proposed to receive holding zone students"? Specifically, is there data that supports decisions? What is the data that supports this?

b. How is this process going to incorporate community feedback?

c. What are the timelines on: finalizing proposed holding zone process, what school year will (if any) this process take affect?

d. Does the Board have commitments from the Ministry of Education on permanent accommodations (new school, etc.)? What are these accommodations, funding allocations and timelines?

Response: Woodland Heights is recommended to receive new holding zone families from the Bostwick Holding Zone due to its available space and proximity to this holding zone in Southwest London. The current holding school for the area, Sir Isaac Brock PS, is over capacity. The full Initial Attendance Area Review report is available here. (see: Important Documents) TVDSB is soliciting community feedback for this holding zone amendment, as well as additional new holding zones, through this website that has been set up for this review.

It is expected that a decision regarding this review will be made in the Spring of 2022. New holding zone families who register after a decision is made would attend the new holding school. The permanent accommodation for Bostwick Holding Zone students, as well as other students in this part of the city, is a proposed new 804 pupil place elementary school in southwest London. TVDSB submitted a business case to the Ministry for this school in May of 2021 and we are currently awaiting a decision. Once the business case is approved and land is secured, the timeline to construct and open the school is approximately 42-48 months.