The following report was made at the September 6 meeting of the Bluewater District School Board about the transitions in Owen Sound and Area group of schools following the Accomodation Review.              Derby Public School:

• Furniture, supplies and equipment have been deployed to other schools. The priority was to have resources "follow the students".
• Derby Public School has closed, and the phone number has been disconnected.
• The playground equipment was donated to the municipality and will be used in the Kilsyth

community.

Owen Sound District Secondary School (OSDSS):

An application for a replacement secondary school has been submitted to the Ministry, under the 2016 Capital Priorities program.

• Recent enrolment numbers indicate a student population of over 1300 Grade 9 to 12 students.
• All classrooms are open and are ready for use. Staff have been in to unpack boxes of materials needed for September.
• Several departments have merged resources and storage facilities to ensure the best equipment is made available for students. The science and technology areas have seen some reconfiguration. New dust collection equipment has been ordered. All surplus equipment has been sold using our normal procedures.
• Parking lots have been expanded, and re-surfaced in some locations, with clear traffic flow

indicators and parking spot markings.

• The City of Owen Sound has investigated traffic flow and improved signage.
• Former WHSS signage and indicators (Raiders) have been removed.
• New school colours were selected in June, and the purple, silver and black have been painted in the cafeteria and front door area.
• Uniforms for fall teams have been ordered which will be ready for September.
• Wireless broadband has been upgraded and installed in portables.
• Four portable classrooms have been painted, had flooring upgrades, and are ready for occupancy.
• Modifications have been made to accommodate developmental learning classroom space.
• School tours were led by the Link Crew student leaders and older students on August 31 for any new students that wished to attend.
• OSDSS Link Crew student leaders will welcome Grade 9 students on September 6. Dufferin Elementary School, Bayview Public School and Sydenham Community School:
• All three elementary schools have communicated to their parents that they are open for business as usual this school year.
• This will be a year full of celebrations, as we begin to plan for school closure and relocation for the fall of 2017. This will involve committee work, beginning in the fall of 2016 as per procedure AP 3302-D "School Openings, Amalgamations and Closures".

Plans for the re-design of the former OSCVI site to accommodate elementary students will begin this fall. Community use of the auditorium will continue while renovating the school for elementary students.

Further transition initiatives this fall will ensure our communities are supported and feel confident in
our Bluewater educational experience. Specifically, we are currently planning to accomplish the
following:

• The selection of an OSDSS school logo and motto will take place early in the fall. The Raiders and the Falcons will become part of the historical memorabilia.
• A new OSDSS school sign has been ordered for the front of the school.

More painting will continue over the Christmas vacation period.

• Students will celebrate commencement at the school sites they attended last year.
• Our Heritage committees will meet to continue the dialogue and plans for recognizing the historical significance of both of the former secondary schools.
• The improved eligibility distance for bussing is providing an additional transportation option for many students.

We extend a special thank you to our plant services department, purchasing and transportation
departments, community contractors, school administrators and staff. We also thank all of the students and families for their support of this transition. Everyone has worked tirelessly over the summer months to ensure our schools are ready to welcome students on September 6, 2016.

Our focus remains on the students and ensuring course options and pathway opportunities are available.

Our efforts will continue to support student and staff well-being as we transition to an outstanding school experience at all of our newly configured schools.