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The Chinook School Division Board of Education would like to express appreciation to all participants including citizens, parents, Chinook staff and teachers for providing valued feedback regarding the core schools in Swift Current. Feedback for Board consideration was received from the public consultation meetings, the public opinion survey and from direct submissions. Taking into careful consideration the values of Chinook and the best interests of the schools and students, the Board has thoroughly reviewed all feedback, analyzed data and held multiple discussions and planning sessions.

Board Chair Randy Beler noted, "We have taken a balanced approach to ensure that much needed resources are invested into the classroom experience, that is what has been asked of us by our school communities. We are confident in the core school plan and have made decisions with great consideration to the best interest of our students, families, communities and schools."

On January 13, 2014, the Chinook Board of Education determined future school plans that will enhance the current structure and reflect the Division's core values. These include a number of transitions as outlined below:

• École Centennial School, a dual track Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 8 English and French Immersion school, will open in September 2014.
• Fairview School will transition to Kindergarten to Grade 8 during the 2014-2015 school year.
• Ashley Park School will close at the end of June 2015.
• All elementary schools in Swift Current will become Kindergarten (or Pre-K) to Grade 8, to provide a consistent and uniform educational setting.
• Irwin School will become Kindergarten to Grade 8 beginning in Fall 2015.
• Central School will transition over the next three years, adding Grade 6 in 2014-2015; Grade 7 in 2015-2016; and Grade 8 in 2016-2017.
• Changes will be made to Central and Irwin School's buildings and sites to accommodate the Kindergarten to Grade 8 configuration. The originally planned modifications at Central School to improve accessibility for individuals with physical disabilities will go forward.
• Attendance areas will be adjusted slightly for Irwin and Central Schools, transitioning over the upcoming two school years. Families should contact their school for details and a new map will soon be available on the Chinook website news section on the home page.

Additionally, in Fall 2015 Irwin School will be designated as the inlet school for eligible Kindergarten to Grade 8 rural students being bussed to Swift Current. Modifications will be made to the SCCHS and Irwin School sites to enhance safe and efficient loading and unloading of school buses.
 

"Considering the projected student enrolment, this plan makes sense to ensure that funds are directed to needed maintenance and upgrades to the facilities, while ensuring that all students have access to similar levels of classroom and student-focused resources," said Beler, "Furthermore, having this detailed implementation plan in place as early as possible is very important for the transition period, and for families to know what to expect and have time to adjust. This was something we heard often in our consultations."
 

The transition plan will be shared at a public meeting on January 27 at 7:00pm at Irwin School gymnasium, which parents, staff and the public are invited to attend. This information will also be available to families at their schools and on the Chinook website.

For more information, contact:

Joanne Booth, Communications Coordinator
Chinook School Division
Phone: 306-778-9200  Ext 218
jbooth@chinooksd.ca