Staff and students of Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute (OSCVI) and West Hill Secondary School are already proactively rolling up their sleeves to ensure a positive experience for all when both school communities unite at the current West Hill site in September 2016.

As part of the Professional Activity Day on Friday, April 22, 2016, staff from both schools convened at West Hill Secondary School for what turned out to be an extremely positive learning and planning experience. Following opening remarks from Director of Education Steve Blake and Superintendent of Education Jean Stephenson, staff had the day to discuss opportunities, challenges and tasks related to the consolidation, provide input into a 'vision list' for the new school, participate in a question and answer session, tour the facility, and pose for an impromptu incoming 2016 staff photo. By the end of the day, the overwhelming vibe could best be characterized by a strong sense of unity and optimism for a positive transition. Staff are excited to continue to build on the caring relationships they have with their students and families. They are dedicated to making this 'new' school the best secondary school around, where the focus is on student success.

The opportunity for both schools to come together was also recently shared by some students from the West Hill Raiders and OSCVI Falcons boys' field lacrosse teams, who met up at West Hill for a practice and friendly scrimmage in anticipation of a popular annual lacrosse tournament at Brock University. During the tournament on April 22, a rare situation presented itself when the West Hill players were scheduled to compete against a school with uniforms similar in colour to 'Raider blue'. At the same time, the OSCVI players faced a similar challenge in a match against a team clad in jerseys resembling 'Falcon red'. The Raider/Falcon solution to their shared dilemma could best be described as a genuine act of collaborative sportsmanship with both teams swapping uniforms and proceeding to win their respective games, all the while proudly sporting each other's school colours. In the end, OSCVI won the tournament with at 3-0 record, while West Hill finished with 1 win and 1 tie (due to rain out).

Moving forward, there will be many more opportunities for staff, students and community members to collaborate and get involved as a School Operations Committee is established to oversee the transition.

In the meantime, school administrators are reminding current OSCVI students and their parents/guardians that there is no requirement to register at West Hill for the 2016 – 2017 school year as all transfers will be automatic with the consolidation. Students at both schools will also have an opportunity in the near future to change their options based on the additional new course offerings.Further details are forthcoming, including information on enhanced bussing.

Both schools will be communicating with parents/guardians of current grade 8 students in the coming days regarding option cards.

School updates will be available on the respective websites for OSCVI and West Hill and via FlashAlerts notifications that parents/guardians subscribe to receive from both schools.