Parkland School Division is announcing changes to their outreach and virtual learning programming, to take effect at the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
In an effort to centralize resources and support, and to bring programming offered by the Division's Connections for Learning (CFL) under one roof, PSD is relocating all outreach and virtual learning programming to the École Broxton Park School (EBPS) site, beginning in the fall of 2023. Modular classrooms will be connected to the west side of the existing school but will remain self-contained, with separate access from the French Immersion and Specialized Classrooms currently at École Broxton Park School.
The improved site for student learning will offer an enhanced educational environment and increased programming focused on the needs of students enrolled in outreach, alternative programming and in virtual programs. In an effort to improve the quality of our programming and the array of services offered to students in these programs. The new location allows PSD to improve the setting for student learning while offering more space for programming.
This additional space will house staff needed to support all outreach and virtual learning students. Specifically, there will be a CFL administrator on site to work directly with these programs as well as the Parkland Student Athlete Academy students who currently receive their in-class instruction at EBPS. There will be no changes to the programs that currently operate at CFL's main campus in Stony Plain.
Currently, CFL operates junior and senior high outreach programming on two campuses, one in Stony Plain (located on Boulder Boulevard) and the other in Spruce Grove (located on St Matthews Avenue, near Wendy's). The move will eliminate the need to lease two separate buildings and allow staff to better support students in their specialized learning programs.
PSD Facilities Services is also working with an architect to review the site plan and changes are expected when it comes to bus lanes, parking, and the overall flow for pick-up and drop-off for students, parents & guardians - a key need identified by the EBPS community. The details of this aspect will be shared once they are finalized.
In addition to utilizing currently unused land around École Broxton Park School, and in the spirit of resource stewardship, the Division will be relocating five modular classrooms from PSD schools that have capacity to accommodate the changes. Facilities Services staff will work throughout the summer to have these classrooms installed and ready to go by the start of school this fall. There will be one modular classroom coming from Blueberry School, 2 modular classrooms from Entwistle School and 2 modular classrooms from Tomahawk School.
The move will place PSD in a better position to request new funding and projects as PSD's overall utilization will increase.