‘At risk of being closed:’ Ottawa school trustee hosts meeting in hopes of saving Centretown West school
Posted Mar 22, 2021 12:54:00 PM.
A virtual meeting is scheduled to take place Monday night to discuss the future of Cambridge Street Community Public School.
A flyer from Somerset-Kitchissippi School Trustee Justine Bell, canvassed around the neighbourhood of Centretown West, says there are currently 55 students enrolled in the English with core French program at the school.
Bell said this is the lowest enrolment at a school in the district, and Cambridge Street Community Public School is at risk of being closed.
NDP MPP for the area Joel Harden said on Twitter that he sent a letter to Ontario's education minister, Stephen Lecce, which asks the province to maintain and expand COVID-19 funding for public education at Ottawa-Carleton District schools.
Students, families and staff deserve a return to safe & supportive in-person learning at @OCDSB schools this fall. I am calling on @Sflecce to make this happen by maintaining and expanding #COVID19 funding for public education. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/0Msp6QM8UT
— Joel Harden (@JoelHardenONDP) March 18, 2021
The school meeting also hopes to garner support from local leaders and community members to add a French immersion program to the curriculum. Right now, Cambridge Street Community Public School offers a full-day bilingual kindergarten program and an English program with core French for 40 minutes per day.
The zoom meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.
MONDAY at 6:30pm – Let’s come together #Centretown to secure a VIBRANT future for Cambridge Street Community Public School – A school that meets the needs of all elementary students in our community. https://t.co/DrYHbjcPvM @JoelHardenONDP @cmckenney @SWCHC @centretownbuzz pic.twitter.com/5px84fw4zj
— Justine Bell (@justinegbell) March 21, 2021
The Cambridge Street Community Public School houses many social programs, including:
- OCDSB Extended Day Program
- EarlyON Centre
- Parent Resource Centre
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Ottawa
- An International Languages Program
- Ottawa Public Library Bookmobile
