PUBLIC NOTICE: Overcrowding at Norseman Junior Middle School

It has been brought to our attention, from the "Overenrolment Subcommittee Members" at the Norseman Junior Middle School, that there will be a meeting at Norseman School, regarding overcrowding at the school. See below the information provided us...

In 2013

Norseman School will reach 140% capacity

Not everyone has a child in Norseman but the condition and appearance of the school highly impacts every homeowner in the neighbourhood. Real estate values are closely tied to the reputation of the local school.

Facts:

·     Norseman JMS has been over 100% capacity since 2001, currently 120%. 

·     External portables were added to contain the extra classrooms.  This was intended to be a temporary solution; even more were added a few years later.

·     Our area is rapidly growing with housing development and the entry of young families.  The enrollment projections at Norseman show no signs of stabilizing. 

·     A school council sub-committee has been formed to explore a long-term solution that will benefit the entire community. 

Our concerns:

1.     Since 2001, Norseman has been the most overcrowded school in Ward 3 with no sign of decrease, will the solution be long-term or are immediate budget concerns a higher priority?

2.     Full Day Kindergarten numbers do not present a temporary challenge at Norseman. Where will you build new classrooms when the kindergarteners advance to primary and middle school classes?

3.     What are the benefits and confines of building an addition to the current building? Is it a long-term solution?

4.     What are the benefits and drawbacks of reconfiguring the current building, with no addition, are there any square footage requirements per student?

5.     How will higher enrollment affect the shared areas; the gym (and its use as a lunch room), drama/dance, art, music rooms, computer lab? Will all students have less access to these areas?

6.     Castlebar School, at 70 Chartwell Rd, was a local junior school from 1968 to 1981.  There is an opportunity to utilize the building, as a satellite-campus.  Is there a bias against this option?

7.     Could the Chartwell school be a middle school satellite for Norseman?  A previous Norseman area junior school at 60 Berl Ave. was converted into Karen Kain School for the Arts, a middle school.

8.     Or is there potential to re-establish 70 Chartwell Rd. as a junior school?  Does the building better suit kindergarten through grade three?

9.     Does utilizing 70 Chartwell Rd. now allow the board to move back into one building if ever needed? Does reconstructing the current building allow for any such recourse in the future?

10.   What is the deadline to make a decision and begin work? Will we be informed in time to voice further concern?

Trustee Pamela Gough and Superintendant Jane Phillips-Long will attend a meeting to address concerns

Tuesday May, 22^nd 6:30pm

http://www.facebook.com/NorsemanJMSParents

In the school library

All are welcome

WKRA APRIL 2012 e-news

Spring is here and with it brings Earth day and Community Clean Up Day. Please join us this year in cleaning up Lora Hill Park on Saturday April 21st at 10:30AM. Bring your gloves and a broom so we can get the park looking great! Bring the kids to play afterwards.
Thanks to all of you who attended the Fairfield Park Open House and shared your thoughts about this community space.

We are currently raising funds for Fairfield Park and at this time we have a special fundraiser for a WKRA commemorative tree to be planted in Fairfield Park. Please donate a toonie for the tree! Donations will be accepted at all WKRA events including the Community Clean up Day at Lora Hill Park.


COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Starting Tuesday April 17 at 7PM
WKRA Weekly Walks
Join your neighbours for a 35 minute walk in the neighbourhood every Tuesday until October. Meet at the south-east corner of Fairfield Park on the pathway at Lothian and Leland. We are currently looking for 1-2 volunteers to lead the walks. Also, if you live in another area of the WKRA and would like to start a walking group, please let us know and we will add the meeting place on our website. Everyone is welcome! Adults, kids and dogs! Bring the whole family!


Saturday April 21st 10:30 AM-11:30 AM
Community Clean Up Day
Join us in cleaning up Lora Hill Park for the Toronto Community Clean Up Day. Bring your gloves and a broom so we can put the sand back where it belongs! Let's get the park looking sparkling clean for all to play in. Garbage bags are provided.
Please note that Bernard Trottier will be in attendance!
* Bring your toonies for our WKRA Commemorative Tree Fund to be planted at Fairfield Park this year.

Saturday April 21 8AM-Sunday April 22 8PM
Spring My Trash, Your Treasure (Spring)
Put your reusable items on the curb to find a new home. Please label items such as electronics as working, to be fixed, for parts only, etc..

Need something? Take a stroll through the neighbourhood and find that treasure you've been seeking! Help us keep useful items out of landfill.

Let us know if you are putting items out and we'll add your street name to the list on the WKRA website.
Please remove all items by 8PM on Sunday

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The WKRA is seeking volunteers for the following positions, please send us an email if you are interested in volunteering your time. Your help is appreciated!
-1-2 people to lead the Tuesday walks once or twice a month.
-5-7 people to help at the July 28 picnic including help with food service, membership, raffle tickets and face painting.
-2-3 people to help to organize and collect items for the picnic raffle.


IMPORTANT NOTICES

Commemorative Trees
Would you like to have a commemorative tree at Fairfied Park or Lora Hill Park? Click below for details on how to order a tree and commemorative plaque for the spring or fall planting. Let us know if you would like to see a copy of the Fairfield Park concept to see where you would like your tree planted.
Deadline for spring planting is April 15th.
City of Toronto Commemorative Tree and Bench Program

2012 Membership
Membership for 2012 is FREE!  In order to keep you up-to-date, as a member, we ask that you complete the attached membership form. The WKRA runs on the strength of volunteers yet does incur costs to maintain the association, therefore voluntary membership fees are welcome. Information on how to make a donation to the WKRA is on the membership form.
 
As plans move forward with the Fairfield Park Improvement Project, we are also accepting donations towards the project. Please print the attached FPIP donation form, as well as the Donor Declaration Form to make a donation. Tax receipts will be sent to you from the City of Toronto for donations over $20.
All forms can be dropped off in the WKRA mailbox located in the Fairfield Seniors' Centre just south of the gym.

Safety Alert!

Pedestrians walking on a two-way roadway where there are no sidewalks should walk facing the oncoming traffic. This will allow pedestrians to be aware of the oncoming traffic and take any action to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

Please forward this message to your friends and neighbours who reside within the boundaries of the WKRA

WKRA MARCH 2012 e-news

The Fairfield Park Improvement Project meeting was postponed last month. The new date is March 28th at 6:30. Read on to learn about our upcoming events. We are always looking for new members and we are seeking residents who are interested in the upcoming WKRA Election for positions as Executive and Board of Directors.

Thursday March 22nd 7PM-9PM Fairfield Seniors' Centre Gym

WKRA Annual General Meeting and Election

Find out what's new in the neighbourhood and any plans for the area. Councillor Peter Milczyn will be in attendance to answer your questions. The current WKRA executive will hold an open election for the 2012 Executive and Board of Directors. Please read below if you are interested in a position with the WKRA.

Wednesday March 28th 6:30PM- 8PM  Fairfield Seniors' Centre

Fairfield Park Improvement Project Open House

Please join Councillor Peter Milczyn and City Of Toronto Landscape Architect, Erik Hess, for an open house to learn about and approve the latest changes in the Fairfield Park Improvement Project. The plans for Fairfield Park are to make this recreational space one for all people: a place for fun, exercise, exploration and native habitat. The plan includes open sports space, walking paths, play structures, exercise equipment, seating and tables, a shade structure and native plants and trees. This is truly a park for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy. We encourage you to bring your neighbours!

 2012 WKRA Election

The following positions are open for members of the WKRA executive and Board of Directors. If you are interested in seeking a position you must:

-  be a member of the WKRA for at least one year prior to 2012

-  be a resident within the boundaries of the WKRA

-  be at least 19 years of age (with the exception of the Youth Director)

-  submit a one page maximum blurb about yourself; please include the position you seek, how long you have lived in the neighbourhood, your pertinent skills and why you should be elected. Include one reference.

 Positions available

(Voting Executive)

PRESIDENT

TREASURER

V.P. of COMMUNICATIONS

V.P. of MEMBERSHIP

V.P. of PUBLIC RELATIONS and EVENTS

 (Non-Voting Board of Directors)

Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC)

Web Master

Youth Director (age 14-18)

Director-at-large (3 positions)

Voting executive are expected to attend 8-10 meetings annually and Non-voting members are expected to attend 4-6 meetings annually. Elections will take place bi-annually.