Childcare is among the concerns Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools is looking to address ahead of doors opening to Rutherford Elementary next fall.
The school district is working to populate the north-end school, which shuttered in 2018. Area catchment will be realigned and at a business committee meeting Sept. 11, trustees heard about concerns raised during summer time consultation. The board subsequently gave unanimous approval to 11 recommendations preceding the school's reopening in what Mark Walsh, secretary-treasurer, referred to as the third-to-final step.
Rutherford's catchment area will go as far west as Brickyard Road, McGirr Road and Turner Road; as far south as Butcher Road, Georgiaview Crescent, Vanderneuk Road, Lost Lake Road and Dewar Road; and as far east as Westdale Road.
An online survey was filled out by 352 respondents. Gillian Robinson, school district spokesperson, told the committee that "loss of childcare" was one of the concerns, and Jacquie Poulin, assistant superintendent of elementary, said assistance will be offered.
"We have been expanding our district-operated before- and after-school care to a few other sites and the plan, at this point, would be to expand at Rutherford," she said.
She said SD68 will still need to determine, based on need, whether to hold the service in one room, with 24 spaces, or expand further.
The catchment changes include Oakridge and Golden Oaks neighbourhoods moving to Frank J. Ney Elementary's catchment area, from Departure Bay Eco School. Part of Hammond Bay and Brickyard roads, currently in McGirr Elementary's catchment, will shift to Rutherford.
Among students aware of changes, 61 per cent said being separated from friends was something that weighed on their minds, according to a staff report, while 39 per cent worried about being in an unfamiliar environment and 28 per cent said not having the same support they have at their current school was a pressing concern.
Poulin said there will be assistance for students switching schools. Work will be done with Rutherford students and those from Departure Bay going to Frank J. Ney. She said for example, new students may be brought to Rutherford in the spring to take part in outdoor activities and connect with peers from their own school and other schools. Similar efforts will be made at Frank J. Ney, with tours and opportunities for students and families to meet peers and staff.
"For all of our students that have disabilities and diverse abilities, we will make sure that there is appropriate transition meetings and that we have time to connect staff together to make sure that the supports that have been in place, that the incoming staff at Rutherford and at Frank Ney know about those students, know what their needs are and what the supports are that are needed for them," said Poulin.
Of people surveyed, 97 per cent were parents. Forty-three per cent stated their children's catchment school would change and 56 per cent said it would remain the same.
Requests for any minor catchment changes are expected to be presented to the board in November, noted the report.
