Ms. Tarr – Board Chair SD # 53
Ms. Young – Superintendent
Mr. Safek– OSS Principal
cc Board of Trustees
RE: Letter (email) sent to OSS parents Wednesday – Transition plans to SOSS
As was stated in this letter, The plans to transition OSS students to SOSS will start next week, on Tuesday April 19, 2016.
We respectfully ask that this action is halted immediately, as per reasons, below:
1. How can this be considered ahead of 3rd reading on the MOTION, April 27th?
2. If, and when, the closing of OSS is confirmed, then plans may be discussed to transition students that wish to attend SOSS.
This is another example of parents not being consulted in the future of their child’s education.
Brenda Dorosz Chair – SAVEOURSCHOOLS
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Oliver Daily News asked the School District for a copy of the document in question. Here is the response from School Superintendent Bev Young:
The letter was issued by the OSS principal. Transition plans are being developed by the two administrative teams and staff at Osoyoos Secondary.
With the short timeline, it is prudent of us to begin planning to ensure a successful transition for students and staff. We have Collective Agreement obligations to meet as well with staffing which is based on school timetables and student course selection.
We want to be cooperative with information to the public (beyond our obligation and commitment to parents); however, I don’t think it is in the best interest of students if the negativity of this transition is played out in the media. I hope you agree.
ODN mandate is to clarify issues:
Here is the letter referred to above
Dear OSS Parents,
I wanted to keep you informed about transition plans for our students moving to SOSS. Mr. Chapman and I met with the SOSS administration yesterday morning to map out a transition process. Our goal in doing so is to alleviate some of the anxiety and questions student and parents may have about moving to SOSS.
Starting next week students, accompanied by OSS teachers, will go visit SOSS for an orientation, meet with SOSS admin and some staff, and receive course selection forms. Students will go in grade groups as per the following:
Tuesday, April 19 Gr. 11’s to SOSS at 8:45 am
Wednesday, April 20 Gr. 10’s to SOSS at 8:45 am
Thursday, April 21 Gr. 9’s to SOSS at 8:45 am
Friday, April 22 Gr. 8’s to SOSS at 8:45 am
Course selection forms for the 2016-2017 school year will need to be brought back to OSS, approved by parents, as per the timeline below:
Monday, April 25 – Gr. 10’s and 11’s return signed course selection forms to OSS and complete their course selection on-line.
Tuesday, April 26 – Gr. 8’s and 9’s return their signed course selection forms to OSS and complete their course selection on-line.
As well, Mr. Toneatto and Mrs. Harrington, the SOSS admin team, will be here on Tuesday, April 19 to meet with OSS parents at 6:00 pm in the theatre to discuss programming, transition, and answer any questions parents may have about SOSS. The next day, Wednesday, April 20, Mr. Toneatto and Mrs. Harrington will host OSS parents at 6:00 pm in the SOSS Library. The evening will start with an orientation and information session followed by a tour of SOSS facilities. We encourage parents to attend.
I understand and appreciate that some parents may still be undecided about their children attending SOSS next year. I would encourage participation in the orientation activities, even if you are undecided, in order to get information that may assist decision making about placement for your child next year.
For those parents who have confirmed to us that their child will not be attending SOSS, their children are not required to attend their SOSS transition date. However, if they do not attend, they should be at school at OSS as it will be a regular school day.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Mike Safek, Principal
Osoyoos Secondary School