Educational Impacts

Oct 17, 2022

It is important to note that the proposed closure guarantees QEA students continued placement in French immersion. If QEA is closed, staff will work closely with the QEA community to support a successful transition to the new site. The chart below outlines the educational benefits and challenges if QEA students moved to JQ or QE.

	MOVE TO QE	MOVE TO QE
O P P O R T U N I T I E S	Increased access to administrator support, District staff support Increased access to learning resources Enhanced opportunities for teacher collaboration and opportunities for cross-grade student collaboration Maintain the French immersion program at its current level in the surrounding area Additional opportunities to participate in cultural events and performances Aligns with findings from the Preferred School Size working group, made up of multi-stakeholders where the group recommends a preferred elementary school size should range between 300-500 students. Results in at least two French immersion classes at JQ, which aligns with the findings from the French immersion review, where the District endeavours to enroll two kindergarten French immersion divisions in each site which could involve a combination of consolidating, relocating or adding programs. Provides an enhanced French language immersion and cultural experience Provides a seamless K-7 learning experience – no transition for Grade 4 required	Increased access to administrator support, District staff support Increased access to learning resources Enhanced opportunities for teacher collaboration and opportunities for cross-grade student collaboration Maintain the French immersion program at its current level in the surrounding area Proximity to JQ provides additional opportunities for collaboration and access to opportunities to participate in cultural events and performances Aligns with findings from the Preferred School Size working group, made up of multi-stakeholders where the group recommends a preferred elementary school size should range between 300-500 students. Large outdoor school area adjacent to Pacific Spirit Park
C H A L L E N G E S	Transition to a different and larger school Potential increased traffic concerns during pick-up and drop-off* The move would result in three kindergarten classes at JQ, however, JQ will not be able to accommodate three K classes every year due to space constraints. Instead, the District will need to disperse future French immersion kindergarten intake amongst other French immersion schools in the area (i.e. Trafalgar and Kerrisdale) The outdoor play spaces at JQ are in several areas and may require increased supervision with more students attending**	Transition to a different and larger school Potential increased traffic concerns during pick-up and drop-off* Result in only one early French immersion class at QE. This does not align with the findings from the French immersion review, where the District endeavours to enroll two kindergarten French immersion divisions in each site which could involve a combination of consolidating, relocating or adding programs. Students who wish to continue French immersion would still transition to JQ in Grade 4. QE is an English program so QEA students would not benefit from an enhanced immersion experience as in a K-7 French program. Not a seismically safe school

*Note: The District will work with the school community and the City of Vancouver to put in place plans to address concerns relating to increased traffic at pick up and drop off times at either JQ or QE.

** Note: The District will review the staffing needs of the JQ site for supervision of students at recess and lunchtime should QEA students be moved to JQ.