February 9, 2017 Barbara Darling 05g Delegation – Barbara Darling re Eastern Secondary Review Notes for Presentation to Ottawa-Carleton District School Board of Trustees:

Proposed Closure of Rideau High School

Introduction My name is Barbara Darling. I’m here as a concerned citizen who has spent hours as a “Door- Knocker” during our many recent election campaigns, both provincial and federal. I’ve had the opportunity to witness and listen to the concerns of people who live in the catchment area for the Rideau High School, and who would be devastated should it be closed. This is an opportunity for me to give voice to their concerns. Parents want the best possible for their children’s education. But many of these parents and other community members face exceptional social and economic limitations in their ability to convey their concerns, as reflected in the analysis of the recent Ottawa University highly regarded “Neighborhood Study”:

 Recent immigrants with limited English language skills and a growing indigenous population, both with limited familiarity with our local institutions and decision-making systems.

 The area’s high density and remarkably diverse population, with more than half of residents living in apartments and managing on very low incomes, work long hours, often on shift work, often working two or more jobs to make ends meet. The reality is little time and energy is left for significant parental involvement in their children’s education and school

These parents underline the importance to them and their children of their high school being an integral and close-by part of their community, with a reputation for excellence in the quality of teaching and important support services being provided as is presently the case with Rideau High School.

Very briefly, I want to highlight three main areas of concern, and will be open to questions if anyone wants further elaboration at this time. These are:

1. Misguided Terms of Reference 2. Financial Conundrums 3. Value for money 4. 2

1. Misguided Terms of Reference I respect our hard-working Trustees of our education system as they carry out their responsibilities with both limited resources and limited power to influence resource allocation decisions. As Randall Denley attests in recent Ottawa Citizen editorials, Trustees are constrained by top down budget frameworks and bureaucratic direction to produce a balanced budget. Key principles become lost in translation between the Premier and school board technocrats in conducting their studies and producing recommendations founded on assumptions that are at odds with provincial policy.

For example, Premier made a strong statement (confirm date) indicating her Government would act to ensure that schools would be enabled to become community hubs that are well-integrated so as to best meet the educational needs of the community. This value is highlighted in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) Guidelines on “Community Use of Schools”. So one can imagine our shock in noting that the Terms of Reference (TORS) did not include this value as a guiding principle in the OCDSB’s Accommodation Study being undertaken to determine school closures.

This resulted in School budgets for closure purposes being defined narrowly to include only those revenues provided by the provincial government directly to the OCDSB for school management (ie. the “Budget Box’). The review undertaken by the Board was then based on limited educational goals that weren’t open for discussion, ignoring the community hub principles all together.

In the case of the Secondary School Reviews, the Western Schools Review examined the projected school populations based on a review of projections of feeder schools. As Councillor Tobi Nussbaum has noted this was not done for the Eastern Review. Consequently no evidence justifying the closure of Rideau High on the basis of future student population is available. Moreover the review ignores the downstream implications of the new planned local community, Wateridge, which is in the process of becoming a reality and will make a significant contribution to the local high school population.

Additionally, the review entirely neglects the issue of school size. It has been well-researched that the track record of small schools shows that they are indispensible in challenging community circumstances such as those of Rideau High. They can provide the educational depth and support their students need to meet their future goals. The present size of the student population at Rideau High is recognized as being favorable for this purpose. 3

2. Financial Conundrums When a broader view is taken of the budget for Rideau High School, its future looks much brighter. Although we have not had access to a detailed budget for Rideau High, we understand that presently there is a financial gap of about $300,000 (a miniscule amount in relation to the Boards current multibillion (verify) budget). Even that gap could be an overstatement depending on the assumptions underlying the Board’s review.

To put the Board staff’s review in perspective, particularly given the key principle neglected in their review (namely the school’s value as a community hub), we think it is essential to look outside the strict “Budget Box” to see what the Outside Budget Box might look like. The following factors need to be taken into account:

Special Purpose Grant: Rideau High presently qualifies for a grant under the Urban Communities at Risk Program, which provides almost $300,000 annually to cover the cost of additional counsellors, health services and other special services. This grant would be lost if the school closed.

Community Services: Together with the special grant, organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Kiwanis, Orkidstra, the provision of spiritual space and an indigenous smudge room, Rideau High has been a turnaround success since it survived its proposed closure a few years ago. It would be a waste of resources and community support to close the school prematurely.

Rental Revenues: The school presently houses a number of community services: an Adult ESL program with associated child care services, a separate neighborhood day care service, sports clubs, etc. The community was recently disappointed by the Board’s turndown of a significant rental opportunity when a local community centre was looking for a new rental location.

City Savings: As the Principal attests, the Rideau High turnaround now makes a striking and valuable socio-economic contribution to its immediate neighborhood, including to the community’s safety and stability, and reduced policing and other costs to the City.

Provincial Support: We have written to the Premier and selected Ministers with relevant portfolios to invite their assistance to save Rideau High, given the long term policy objectives in their portfolios that might lead to future savings for the provincial budget. (See letter attached). Our recently elected MPP and Parliamentary Assistant on Housing, 4

supports this initiative and has offered to serve as an intermediary between the community and provincial ministers in pursuing creative opportunities. This includes applying for funding under the newly announced (January 23, 2017) program for school boards to support indigenous students.

Federal Support: We are currently scheduling meetings with Federal Ministers, seeking the assistance of the riding’s acting MP, Andrew Leslie, as well as seeking financial support from the Minister of Indigenous Affairs and the Minister of Immigration to provide needed services to these growing populations, including particularly the Inuit and Syrian refugees.

French Immersion: The phase-in of a French Immersion Program to Rideau High is much needed, partly out of respect for the bilingual character of the community which is known locally as the “Quartier Francais” in Ottawa. This change would gradually increase the school population commensurate with its growing maturity – which over a four year period could increase the student population by 50%.

Increasing Course Choice: Similarly, we estimate that a gradual phase-in of strategically selected courses where there is high demand, would be a worthwhile way to attract additional students to this school, and save costs at other nearby schools.

Middle School: Consideration could be given to moving the student population of the nearby Queen Mary Middle School to the Rideau High premises, a move that would be consistent with provincial government policy, and thereby generate some permanent financial savings..

School Property: Thought might be given about how best to use the extensive grounds of the school as a financial asset. Perhaps a portion of the land could be sold or used as security for a loan to finance any cash shortfall in school operations in the short term until a longer term solution can be found for managing this valuable property for the benefit of Rideau High and the community. Presently the school building and facilities are in excellent shape, so capital expenditures are unlikely to be significant in the immediate future.

Sustainability: At the time the last proposal to close Rideau High was rejected the Board of Trustees were committed to developing a plan for the sustainability of Rideau High. Regrettably this commitment was not pursued to any significant degree. Moreover our understanding is that although some ideas reached the planning stage they were never implemented. We think that 5

the elements outlined above would provide the basis of a solution towards ensuring the sustainability of Rideau High.

3. Value for Money As a taxpayer, I am interested in “value for money” and sustainability in budgetary decisions that are taken in our community. Closure and forced disruption to the student body would be damaging both to the students, its local partners and the community. The present uncertainties with the looming decisions are already taking a toll on both students and their teachers. Why change what’s working? Why not try to make the school even better, as well as sustainable?

If the driver for closure is financial we are concerned that is short-term thinking and misleading. When we consider the long term impact of the downside costs to residents and taxpayers of a neglected and rudderless community without the focus Rideau High brings to it now, we know a better solution to financial issues is needed. The school and its facilities appear to have been well maintained and are in fine shape. To the extent that unused space or grounds exist, there is a good possibility of rental income given the lack of optional space in the neighborhood. Other suggestions and actions underway could also lead to meaningful and sustainable results.

Thank You

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/parents-community-launch-one-more-fight-to-save-rideau-high- school Parents, community launch one more fight to save Rideau High School

Jacquie Miller, Ottawa Citizen

More from Jacquie Miller, Ottawa Citizen Published on: January 21, 2017 | Last Updated: January 21, 2017 9:43 AM EST

Parents and community groups are fighting to save Rideau High School which has one of the most multicultural student populations in the city. Enrolment has been declining at the St. Laurent Boulevard school.Tony Caldwell / Postmedia Network

Rideau High is a small, welcoming school where teachers make a difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable teenagers in the city.

That’s the message from parents and community organizations who are making their case to the Ottawa- Carleton District School Board to save the 60-year-old school on St. Laurent Boulevard. Rideau High is 2 on the chopping block again after narrowly escaping closure eight years ago because of declining enrolment.

Now school board officials describe the situation at Rideau as an educational emergency. Keeping the half-empty school open is not financially viable nor fair to the students, whose course choices are greatly restricted, they say. Staff suggest moving Rideau students to Gloucester High School.

Enrolment at Rideau High School on St. Laurent Boulevard has dwindled to 420 students in a building that can hold more than twice that many.Tony Caldwell / Postmedia Network

But don’t count Rideau out yet. Trustees will be listening carefully to arguments about how to do right by the students at Rideau, many of whom are refugees or immigrants, of aboriginal, Inuit and Metis background, or come from low-income families. Some Rideau supporters claim, fairly or not, that the school is a target because parents there are less able to mount a lobby campaign to save it.

Groups from the surrounding community have jumped in, too, saying Rideau is an important locale for other services. The school hosts ESL classes for adults and a daycare for their parents, a City of Ottawa daycare, and an OrKidstra program that offers free music lessons for disadvantaged kids from Vanier.

“To lose this, it would be a travesty,” says Sheila Perry, past president of the Overbrook Community Association.

Perry is part of a group looking for “creative solutions” to keep the school open. One might be renting space to the nearby Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre, where the executive director says he’s enthusiastic about the idea. 3

The trustee for the area, Chris Ellis, has an argument he hopes will be a game-changer. Rideau receives a $310,000 annual provincial grant from a fund that helps schools in needy areas. The money pays for a social worker, a psychologist, a nurse practitioner, after-school activities sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, and subsidies for sports and band transportation.

The grant will be lost if Rideau closes, says Ellis. And without those extra services, some of the vulnerable kids will become “collateral damage” and drop out of school, he predicts.

Sheila Perry, a former teacher, is part of a group trying to come up ideas to save Rideau High School.-

Low enrolment at Rideau isn’t entirely because of changing demographics. Only 20 per cent of the high- school students in the catchment area chose to go there. The rest head to other OCDSB schools or Catholic, French or private schools. That’s partly because Rideau doesn’t offer French immersion.

But it’s also because Rideau still fights a reputation as a school for tough kids not headed for university. The school has worked hard for years to counter that perception, and to lower petty crimes and conflicts at the school, says principal Steven Spidell. For instance, school officials have introduced restorative justice and peer mediation rather than relying on harsh punishments and suspensions for things like minor bullying. They have worked with community and indigenous groups to provide amenities and programs at the school that help make students feel comfortable there, such as a multicultural prayer room and an aboriginal lodge with a smudge room.

“It’s not a tough school,” says Spidell. “This is a place where a lot of people who have tough lives go to school. This school is a safe, stable, caring place.”

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The halls at Rideau High School on St. Laurent Boulevard include inspirational quotations.Tony Caldwell / Postmedia Network

Parent Peter Gareau, who lives nearby, says he and his wife listened to rumours that Rideau was a “really rough school,” and switched their older son to the Catholic board so he could attend Immaculata High School instead. But their younger son wanted to attend Rideau, and he’s flourishing there in a Grade 9 class for students with learning disabilities.

“I tell you, that reputation is not warranted at all,” says Gareau, who’s upset the school may close. “It was so incredibly warm and welcoming.”

Several Rideau student interviewed in the neighbourhood also had nothing but praise. Fayza Idris, a Grade 12 student who transferred to Rideau this year, called it a “nice school, very welcoming.”

“It’s a nice calming environment compared to other schools I’ve been to,” says Idris, who particularly enjoys the multifaith prayer room,where she can sit quietly.

“The teachers really want to help you” she adds, recounting how one helped her with a glitch on her application form for Carleton University

James Worler, also in Grade 12 and heading to university next year, said he’s “made a lot of memories” at Rideau. When he struggled academically in Grade 9, Worler says older students who were part of a mentoring program at the school gave him advice on homework and how to study effectively. “Everyone was very friendly, very helpful.”

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Fayza Idris, a Grade 12 student who transferred into Rideau High School this year, says it’s a “nice school, very welcoming.”
Jacquie Miller photo-

James Worler, who is in Grade 12 at Rideau High School and heading to university next year, said he’s “made a lot of memories” at the friendly, welcoming school.
jacquie Miller photo- 6

It would be short-sighted to close the school, says Jennifer Moroziuk, chair of the parent council. A wide swatch of the city, including fast-growing Vanier, would be left without a public high school, she says.

And busing kids to Gloucester High will make it more difficult for them to participate in after-school activities, she says. Her son A.J., in Grade 10, goes to a leadership training program at a local community centre several times a week. There wouldn’t be time for him to bus from Gloucester High School and make it to the program on time, she said.

The Aboriginal Lodge at Rideau High School includes a comfy bench, Inuit artwork by students and a DreamCatcher. The room is used for meetings and gatherings by students and community groups, and is

Moroziuk says a small school has advantages. “Because there aren’t as many of them, teachers can really get to know the kids.”

But Rideau High cannot offer the range of programs available at other high schools, which board staff say is unfair to the already disadvantaged students there. Rideau students deserve a “first-class experience,” board director of education Jennifer Adams told a public meeting this fall.

Vulnerable students can be put at further risk if they aren’t offered a range of programs that might offer them more reasons to stay in school, argued trustee Donna Blackburn at one board meeting. 7

Rideau High School has a multi-faith prayer room where students can go to relax or pray.
Jacquie Miller photo-

All about Rideau

582: Number of students enrolled in 2011 420: Number of students enrolled this year 966: Number of students the school has capacity for 20: Approximate percentage of students at Rideau who are learning English as a second language 50 plus: Number of languages spoken at home by students from the school 40: Number of students who self-identify as having First Nations, Inuit or Metis background at the school this year 50-60: Number of Syrian refugees at the school What’s next Jan. 27: Board staff release their final report on the Eastern Area Accommodation review, which includes a study of Rideau, Gloucester and Colonel By High Schools. In the initial report, staff recommended that Rideau High School close and students be transferred to Gloucester High School. Feb. 15: Trustees hear delegations from the public and begin debate March 7: The school board makes a final decision [email protected] twitter.com/JacquieAMiller 05g – Delegation: Barbara Darling re Rideau High School

Support our Community ------Save Rideau High

January 25 2017

Hon. Kathleen Wynne Premier and President of the Council Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Premier’s Office Room 281, Main Legislative Building, Queen's Park , Ontario M7A

[email protected]

Dear Premier,

It was a pleasure to meet you and work with your people during the successful byelection last Autumn that brought Nathalie Des Rosiers in as our new Ontario MPP from Ottawa-Vanier. Your contribution was invaluable and much-appreciated.

Now we are down to work again as community activists on a matter of considerable concern to many residents of the Ottawa-Vanier community, namely the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s (OCDSB’s) proposal to close Rideau High School this September, at root due to short term financial considerations.

Our Working Group of School Trustees, City Councillors and local organizations think this outcome would be an unfortunate step backward. We are looking at alternate solutions, together with a number of partners to find a way forward that assures the sustainability and continued success of Rideau High in a high risk, generally low income, exceptionally diverse neighborhood. Nathalie Des Rosiers has expressed strong support for our efforts

We think that if we can work in partnership with your Government we will find such a solution. Nathalie will be in a good position to assist us as a bridge-builder in conversations with your colleagues. We are also starting discussions with key federal officials about specific possibilities to better serve both the increasing indigenous and immigrant populations at Rideau High (presently represented by 50 plus languages). In short, we think there is a case for transforming this school into a recognized “Alternate School”.

But clearly, timing is tight. The Board is scheduled to release their final report on their recommendations for Rideau High this week on January 27, followed by a public meeting on February 15 for final deliberations. Trustees’ final decision will be taken on March 7.

To explain briefly, only a few years ago, Rideau High was on the chopping block. The response from the community marshalled enough support to save it through a variety of partnering arrangements. Under the Ministry of Education’s Safe Schools Program an annual grant of almost $300,000 has been used to provide additional needed health, psychological, social work and other services for the students. Together with the sustained efforts of school staff and a number of active community groups including the Boys and Girls Club, Kiwanis, OrKidstra, revenue-producing sports clubs, spiritual, indigenous and immigrant groups, a remarkable turnaround is being achieved. The school is becoming well-integrated into the community with an onsite adult ESL program with a day care program, as well as another daycare program for the neighborhood.

As the Principal attests, the school now makes a striking and valuable socio-economic contribution to its immediate neighborhood, including to the community’s safety and stability. Moreover it is increasingly becoming an important community hub. Although the school population is relatively small (about 400 students), there is evident potential for demographic growth with increasing immigration and constant urban development.

We have been advised the Board is unfortunately proceeding in its deliberations without having undertaken a feeder study of the local elementary schools, nor has it considered whether the addition of a Grades 7and 8 program might be beneficial. We were also disappointed that the stated purpose of the recommended closure of Rideau High as set out in Board documents did not recognize a school’s relationship and value to the community (or vice versa). The so-called Geographic Model was only discussed in relation to special education programs, narrowly defined. We think Rideau High provides a special education that meets the community’s immediate needs, and that its value should be recognized with a special designation that accepts it for what it is achieving.

Some strategic improvements to the curriculum could be phased in to meet local requests for a French Immersion program to support local bilingualism, and perhaps a few other options if demand is evident. To date the student body size has been a plus, creating an enabling and nurturing environment for the students. Now that Rideau is becoming more robust, it can probably absorb a steady increase in the student body.

Closure and forced disruption to the student body would be damaging both to the students, its local partners and the community. The present uncertainties with the looming decisions are already taking a toll on both students and their teachers. Why change what’s working? Why not try to make the school even better, as well as sustainable?

If the driver for closure is financial we are concerned that is short-term thinking and misleading. When we consider the long term impact of the downside costs to residents and taxpayers of a neglected and rudderless community without the focus Rideau High brings to it now, we know a better solution to financial issues is needed. The school and its facilities appear to have been well maintained and are in fine shape. To the extent that unused space or grounds exist, there is a good possibility of rental income given the lack of optional space in the neighborhood.

As background, for your convenience, attached is a recent front section article in this week’s Ottawa Citizen on the pending Rideau High closure that is informative and balanced. Also attached is a report presented by Tobi Nussbaum, City Counsellor, Rideau-Rockcliffe, expressing his concerns about the analysis underpinning the Board's proposal. Also attached is a brief summary prepared by Shawn Menard, the dissenting School Board trustee for Zone 9 - Capital/Rideau-Vanier wards.

We are proud of Rideau High and its accomplishments to date. We want to be part of a solution that leaves Rideau High available to the benefit of the community. We look forward to working with your Government through Nathalie Des Rosiers and others to accomplish this. We have taken the liberty of copying this letter to those of your Ministers with a stake in the outcome for Rideau High and the state of its community due to their specific responsibility area (such as community safety, crime prevention, youth, social services, health, immigrants, indigenous, anti-racism, poverty reduction).

As a progressive educator yourself, we are encouraged by your past willingness to push for and recognize the value of new models that point the way to the future. We would like to see Rideau High become just that.

Your consideration of this matter is greatly appreciated,

Barbara Darling

For Sheila Perry, Paul Drouin, Peter Gareau and all the other participants and volunteers in our Working Group.

Support our Community ------Save Rideau High

To: Hon. Kathleen Wynne Premier and President of the Council, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Cc:

Local Representation and Policy Responsibility

Nathalie Des Rosiers MPP for Rideau-Vanier (Includes Rideau High School) and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues and to the Minister of Housing Hon. Minister of Infrastructure Hon. Attorney General, Government House Leader and Commissioner, Board of Internal Economy Hon. Marie-France Lalonde Minister of Community Safety and Corrections and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs John Fraser Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (Health)

Policy Responsibility

Hon. Deb Mathews Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Chair of Cabinet, Minister Responsible for Digital Government Hon. President of the Treasury Board Hon. Minister of Finance Hon. Minister of Education Hon. Minister of Community and Social Services Hon. Minister of Health Hon. Indira Naido-Harris Minister of Women's Issues and Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care Hon. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Hon Chris Ballard Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy Hon. Minister of Children and Youth Services And Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism Hon. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

SAVE RIDEAU HIGH SCHOOL Dear Neighbour, Many people are unaware that Rideau High School (RHS) is on the list for closure once again. Ottawa Carleton District School Board senior sta have recommended that this school close for the 2nd time in 6 years. They are recommending that students be bussed out to Gloucester High School instead, which also has low enrollment. Many people in our community use and love Rideau High School, which is why you are receiving this note. The population of Rideau High School has gone up and down over the years, but one thing is clear: There will be a need for a French/English public high school and community hub in this area in the future.

If you support keeping the school open, please take action: Top 5 Reasons Why Rideau High School Should Stay Open A) Attend the Rideau High School Tour and Rally on Wednesday January 1) The enrollment is actually expected to GROW at Rideau over the next 11th, 2017 from 5pm-6pm (RHS Main Entrance). Free busses leave at several years. New development will continue in Vanier. Closing it now 6pm for Gloucester High School where community members will be would be short-sighted. able to participate in a public meeting on the issue. 2) This fantastic school serves the highest needs population in Ottawa, B) Write to School Board Trustees about your reasons for keeping this bussing students up to 10km out of the community is not a good school open: solution. [email protected], [email protected], 3) The school operates daycares, First Nation, Metis and Inuit [email protected], [email protected], programming, and community support, which will be dispersed when [email protected], [email protected], the school is sold. [email protected], [email protected], 4) Senior School Board sta did not include any feeder schools in the [email protected], [email protected], study of the area. Many elementary schools could be negatively [email protected], [email protected], impacted by this closure. [email protected] (Trustee for RHS) 5) The #1 argument sta are using to close this school is that these C) Attend the Board Meeting, Tuesday, February 15 at 7 pm students can’t get access to the course oerings needed because of low (133 Greenbank Road, parking at rear) where the issue will be discussed enrollment. The solution to this problem is investing in teachers so that by Trustees. You can sign up to speak by contacting these courses can be oered, with smaller class sizes. samantha. [email protected] at 613-596-8211 extension 8363. There will be free bus transportation from the area to the Board o ce For more information, please go to OCDSB.ca and click on School and back for this meeting, contact [email protected] for more Accommodation & Program Reviews. details. Thank you for taking the time to read this, Shawn Menard - School Board Trustee Zone 9 – Capital/Rideau-Vanier wards 613-867-6772 [email protected]