Do you have a child enrolled in French immersion, Montessori or Home Learners in the New Westminster school district? Do you have opinions about those programs?
New Westminster families, students, staff and community members are being invited to offer feedback on the school district’s programs of choice. School District 40 has opened public surveys on its French immersion, Montessori and Home Learners programs as part of a review of programs of choice in the district.
The programs have come under the microscope as the district struggles with a space crisis caused by small school sites and fast-growing enrolment. The problem is most acute at École Qayqayt Elementary School, one of three early French immersion sites in the district and the most overcrowded of its elementary schools.
But the district says the review of programs of choice isn’t primarily about capacity. Associate superintendent Maryam Naser, at a November school board meeting, noted the review is focusing on educational aspects of the three programs — including how they align with curriculum, how they align with district values and strategic plans, how they’re meeting student interests and needs, and how viable they are into the future.
“The educational review of these programs will allow us to gain insight into the strengths, gaps and future opportunities, as we look at how we can best serve the current and future needs of this growing and evolving community,” the district said in a letter to families this week.
Surveys are anonymous and confidential.
Targeted surveys are currently open for feedback from five different groups:
- parents and caregivers with a child in French immersion from kindergarten to Grade 8;
- parents and caregivers with a child in French immersion from grades 9 to 12;
- parents and caregivers with a child in Montessori;
- parents and caregivers with a child in the Home Learners Program; and
- the general community, with a survey for all parents, caregivers and community members.
Surveys have been emailed directly to the families involved and can also be accessed at the School District 40 Programs of Choice Review webpage.
SD40 will also send surveys to staff members, and students in Grade 5 and older will be given a chance to offer feedback through their school.
Surveys close on Sunday, March 19. Feedback can also be sent to the district by email to [email protected].
A final report and recommendations will be presented to the school board this fall. Any possible changes arising from the review would be considered for the 2024/25 school year.
📢 SOUND OFF: Do you have a child in a program of choice? What do you think of the Montessori, French immersion and/or Home Learners offerings in New Westminster? What should happen to the programs in the future? Share your thoughts.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected]
