Updated: May 26, 2023
On the evening of Thursday, May 25, 2023, Mayor Merrifield was made aware that Anglophone School District – South (ASD-S), Superintendent Derek O’Brien, reviewed the decision regarding the delivery of French Immersion (FI) educational programming in Grand Bay-Westfield.
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Council extends appreciation to Superintendent O’Brien, for pausing the implementation of the FI educational programming changes for the 2023-2024 year, at schools in Grand Bay-Westfield.
Town Council and Administration remain committed to our strategic priorities of community vitality and smart growth.
The Town will continue to advocate for a collaborative approach, including a review by Anglophone School District – South, towards a sustainable model for the delivery of French Immersion educational programming.
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Council also extends appreciation to everyone – including the community of Grand Bay-Westfield, MLA Bill Oliver, District Education Council (DEC), Parent School Support Committees (PSSC), School Task Force, Home and Schools, guardians, and students – for their advocacy.
Published: May 24, 2023 @ 9:30 a.m.
Last week, Town Council was made aware of disappointing decisions from the Office of the Anglophone School District – South (ASD-S), which will negatively impact students, as well as the growth and vitality of the community. These decisions were discussed at the Town Council Meeting of May 23, 2023. See Meeting details below.
Decisions of Anglophone School District – South
During the week of May 15, 2023, the Anglophone School District – South announced significant changes to the delivery of French Immersion (FI) educational programming in Grand Bay-Westfield, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year. These changes include:
Beginning with Grade 6, and moving forward, late French Immersion (FI) middle school students will no longer attend River Valley Middle School (RVMS). They will attend Barnhill Memorial School in Saint John.
All early French Immersion (FI) will take place at Westfield School, beginning with first Grade next year.
Impacts on Grand Bay-Westfield students
Should these decisions proceed, Mayor Brittany Merrifield highlighted some of the negative impacts in her opening remarks at the Council Meeting of May 23. See Meeting details below.
These impacts include:
– Some students will need to travel over 85km, round trip, per day;
– Grand Bay Primary School and Inglewood School will eventually stop having any FI students;
– Using active transportation for getting to and from, or for extracurricular after school will no longer be an option;
– The proposed and unnecessary long commutes will impact sleep hours resulting in compromised ability to learn;
– Bussing issues (missing the bus, no bus, late bus), and reduced capacity of guardians to drive due to distance, will result in missing critical instructional hours;
– Many children will miss out on extracurricular school activities due to the extreme distances;
– These changes will break-up families, by taking children out of their community school and away from their siblings;
– Children will be forced to attend two physically different schools before the age of seven;
– The cost of transportation may increase for guardians, due to the extra distance due to missed buses, extracurricular activities, and after school events for families at Barnhill Memorial School;
– The reduced student population will result in less extracurricular opportunities for students; and
– There will be extra travel time for both guardians and their children resulting in less time for other activities.
“Let me be clear. None of these impacts are acceptable for our children. They deserve better. We will fight for the education they deserve and have a right to.” – Mayor Brittany Merrifield
Next steps for the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield
Mayor Merrifield discussed how Town Council and Administration remain committed to our strategic priority of community vitality at the Council Meeting of May 23. See Meeting details below.
Next steps for the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield include:
Advocating for the Anglophone School District – South to reconsider these decisions; and
Receiving commitment from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, that these decisions will not affect a new school for our community.
At the Council Meeting of May 23, Town Council approved the following Motion:
That the Council of the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield:
– Request Superintendent Derek O’Brien attend Council’s June 12th meeting to help parents and Council understand the decision and communicate the Town’s position on the decision. And,
– Support the School Task Force and the River Valley Home and School Committee’s efforts to rescind the changes as described and work towards a sustainable model for the delivery of French Immersion programming. And,
– Encourage the Ministry of Education to consult with municipalities regarding significant operational changes affecting communities. And,
– Encourage the Ministry of Education to develop policies guiding Superintendents when making significant operational changes affecting municipalities.
Council Meeting of May 23, 2023
To view the Town Council Meeting of Tuesday, May 23, 2023, visit HERE.
Mayor Brittany Merrifield provided opening remarks regarding this item at the 2:35 minute mark of the Meeting.
Members of Town Council discussed this item and approved the above-mentioned Motion at the 1:06:40 minute mark of the Meeting.
Town Contact Information
Phone: (506) 738-6400 (Option 3 for after-hours urgent matters)
Email: administration@towngbw.ca
In-person: 609 River Valley Drive, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Register for Grand Bay-Westfield Emergency Alerts
The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield encourages residents to register for the emergency alert system (CodeRED by OnSolve). This is to ensure that the Town can notify residents in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts. To register, visit HERE.
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