Please forward as needed - unsure I have the correct emails for everyone.

Many of you know me from previous interactions within the community or as the Co-Chair for the Goulbourn Middle School Council.

There is a significant discontent from parents and students about the activation of the Grade 9 virtual solution for Maplewood students.

Let me start here.....I know you are busy.  I know school is starting.  I know your attention is everywhere at the moment and this is a solution to a problem.  I understand this, but as parents, we feel we were left out of the loop of the solutions and there could be a solution that still holds the kids at bay while Maplewood is completed but doesn't default the solution to virtual for Grade 9's.  

The virtual solution is unacceptable.  It's unacceptable that this is the default to our logistical problems.  We know from experience that the learning is not as rich as it is when they can learn through social interactions.  Grade 9 is a critical year.  It's a milestone start and it's critical based on the age of the kids.  These kids are the same ones that didn't get their leaving ceremonies coming out of Grade 6, or the ceremony was severely restricted, and the same kids that felt that their last years in elementary school were stunted.

I think as a collective we can do better.

Here's my perspective:

This is a complex problem.  Very complex when you consider timing, numbers and logistics. I will make a leap here and assume the solution changed from using South Carleton portables to online for Grade 9 because of the OSTA driver shortage.  I understand this challenge, but I think we can do better. I will assume that the reason for the decision was to transport the younger kids with the hopes that this could have less impact on the parents and their employment. Understood, I still think we could have done better.

Here is my request:

I would like to get key decision makers in a room to listen to the parent perspective and see if we can collectively come up with a solution.  The solution could be carpooling with parent support, the help of OCTranspo for some dedicated buses to Richmond from key drop off areas etc.  We have a large parent population that want a voice and can be leveraged for a solution.
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The impact:

At this point, what I am hearing loud and clear are two things.  

1. If there isn't a solution, I am not asking my child to do online learning.  So refusal of virtual.
2. Many parents are moving forward to switch to OCSB, Sacred specifically.  We have heard that Maplewood registered students won't be eligible.  If this is the case, this will create another wave of backlash based on fundamental rights to have a board of choice and redirect applicable taxes.
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Right now, we have almost 100 people that have signed a collective petition to do better.  I created this last night around 10am and we are only 7am.  I did this to confirm what the collective interest was in moving forward for a better solution. This confirms to me that we have many families that are not ok with the solution. 

https://chng.it/9Q5Ffcj45f 

We also have media attention.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/parents-upset-by-delay-in-opening-of-new-stittsville-high-school   

I recommend coming together as soon as possible to discuss options, with our children's educational experience as number one.

I am happy to facilitate this in any way I can.  From what I can see from the family population, doing nothing is not acceptable at this point.  Not for the students or for the teachers.

Thank you, 

Kirsty Edwards