Welcome to Rainy River District

Attendance Zone Questions and Answers

General Questions

Why is the Attendance Zone Review occurring?
Fort Frances High School was configured as a Grade 7-12 facility in the fall of 2017, with the addition of the Grade 7 and 8 students from J. W. Walker School to address the accommodation pressure. At that time, administration noted the next step of an attendance zone review for the Robert Moore School Grade 7 and 8 Program. With the focuses on Kindergarten to Grade 12 consolidations at both ends of the District, the proposed attendance zone review was postponed. However, accommodation pressures have now brought this proposal back on the table.

Why is an Attendance Zone Review occurring for the Robert Moore School students but did not occur for the J. W. Walker School students?
With J. W. Walker School and Fort Frances High School being side by side, the catchment area would not change; therefore, an Attendance Zone Review did not take place.

Has the decision to move the Grades 7 and 8 students from Robert Moore School to Fort Frances High School 7/8 Program already been made?
No, the decision has not yet been made by the Board of Trustees. As per policy, administration has put forward the recommendation to begin an Attendance Zone Review. In February 2019, the Board approved the commencement of this review. Once feedback has been collected by the Attendance Zone Review Committee, then a recommendation will be put forward to the Board for its decision in late April/early May.

Is this the last of the schools moving Grade 7 and 8 students to Fort High?
Attendance zones are established in order to maintain viable academic programming while ensuring the effective use of facilities and transportation. Enrollment, programming needs and transportation efficiencies, may require a review of attendance boundaries in the future.

What are the Class Times?
The Class Times for Grades 9-12 and Grades 7-8 are shown below:
School Attendance Zone

Grade 7 and 8 Programming Questions

Will the Grade 7 and 8 students have access to a Hot Lunch program?
The High School has been investigating ways to provide a cafeteria service or some meal service to students. Currently, there are no plans in place.

Will students be accompanied by the necessary number of [Education Support Personnel]? A Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT)? What supports will be available to 7&8 students?
All staffing related to the transition will be reflective of elementary school staffing and not secondary staffing. With respect to Education Support Personnel, this is dependent on the needs of the Grade 7 and 8 program, which changes from year to year.

Will they have to share Chromebooks, etc. with FFHS or will they have a set to use on their own?
The Grade 7/8 students will have dedicated Chromebooks or other devices to use within the high school.

Student Safety Questions

Will the Grade 7 and 8 students be allowed to leave the school to visit the fast food restaurants?
The Grade 7 and 8 program involves a closed campus, and therefore, students remain at the school for lunch.

Will Safe Arrivals still occur?
Safe Arrivals is completed by a designated secretary just as they do in an elementary school.

I’m worried that my child will be attending dances with 17 and 18 year olds.
Grade 7/8 students have their own dances and are not included in the dances for the Grade 9-12 students. There may be times when there is a function at the High School, such as a guest speaker or a special events day when the Grade 7 and 8 students will get to participate. However, please note that they will be under teacher supervision during their participation in these events.

Who will be responsible for discipline? What type of access will the Grade 7 and 8 students have to principals and will their issues be taken seriously in relation to the much more complex/demanding issues of the high school students?
The classroom teachers are responsible for most of the day to day discipline issues, as classroom teachers in both elementary and secondary are responsible for overall classroom management. More serious issues are dealt with by the school administration, a practice that is consistent across both elementary and secondary.

What steps will be taken to ensure student safety?
The level of supervision for the Grade 7/8 students is consistent with the level of supervision at an elementary school. For instance, they are not allowed to leave the school campus for lunch. They also have a designated washroom that is off limits to the rest of the student body. At this time there are no plans to have the Grade 7/8 students move about the high school unsupervised.

How will you minimize the possibility of children wandering throughout the school?
Students are supervised, with students moving as a class within the school. Any issues of students that do not follow procedures will be addressed by the classroom teacher and the school administration, if required.

How will you maintain coverage supervision at outdoor/lunch times?
Supervision is scheduled to ensure coverage during the lunch break, both indoor and outdoor.

Transportation Questions

My child is currently attending Fort Frances High School, but is out of zone and I provide the transportation to and from school. Will my child now have access to busing?
Should the attendance zone change, transportation will be provided in accordance with the Joint Transportation Policy. Transportation may normally be provided for Grade 7/8 living a greater distance than 1.60 kilometers on route traveled to FFHS.

How is bussing provided?
In April 2012, the Rainy River District School Board and Northwest Catholic District School Board signed a membership agreement to provide transportation services to students in a coordinated way. A Joint Transportation Policy was created and approved by both Boards in June 2012. The Joint Transportation Policy and procedures are now in effect and cover all students district-wide.

The Membership Agreement has created efficiencies by working together. Both Boards are able to share routes and other transportation services. This collaborative approach results in better service for students and greater efficiencies. Buses across the district have a mix of Rainy River District School Board and Northwest Catholic District School Board students ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

​Would my Grade 7 child be able to get on the bus at FFHS after school and get off the bus at RMS, to pick up both thru Kiss N Ride?
​It could be possible following the Transportation Consortium Guidelines for Courtesy Transportation.

Questions related to the location of Grade 7 and 8 Programming

Where will the Grade 7 and 8 students be placed within the High School?
On the North section of the second floor, there is a dedicated wing for Grade 7 and 8 students. There is sufficient space to house the Grade 7 and 8 students from Robert Moore School.

Will the students have lockers and where will the lockers be located?
Students will have their own lockers, located in the same area as their classrooms.

Where will they eat lunch?
The students eat lunch in their own section of the cafeteria and are supervised throughout the lunch period.

Where will the bus access be located?
The bus drop off is at the entry designated for the Grade 7/8 students.

Will the students have access to outdoor space?
The Grade 7/8 students have a designated area of the playing field for their recess breaks. A portion of the money designated for JW Walker playground improvements was used to improve the playground area for the Grade 7/8 students previously.

Will the students in Grades 7 and 8 get to see a Guidance Counselor at Fort High?
The students attending Fort Frances High School Elementary have access to the information in the Guidance Office, but not direct access to the Fort Frances High School Counselors. The Grades 7 and 8 students will be able to make appointments with our Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services counselors as required.

The Grade 8 students will also have access to the Guidance Counselors at Fort Frances High School as they prepare for transitioning from Grade 8 to 9.

There are also First Nation Counselors who see students from Grades 7 to 12 at Fort Frances High School.

Questions related to Graduation and Student Transition Activities

Will there be a graduation from RMS for the students from Grade 6? From Grade 8? Will the current Grade 7s miss out on a graduation?
If approved, as part of the transition, the current Grade 6 and 7 students will have a special activity planned to celebrate their time at Robert Moore School. The Grade 8 students will have a graduation ceremony at FFHS.

Questions related to student activities and extra-curriculars

Will the Grade 7 and 8 students still be able to go on a Toronto trip?
The Toronto Trip is an optional excursion that, as always, will be considered if supported by parents and if there is sufficient funding from the Ontario Young Travellers Grant.

Will the Grade 7 and 8 students have an opportunity to have a student council?

The Grade 7/8 students have a representative(s) on the Fort Frances High School student council.

Question related to staffing

Which teachers will be moving over to the high school? What are their thoughts/concerns on the transition? Will EAs go and how many? Will they share a French/Ojibwe teacher with the HS? Walker?
All decisions related to staffing will be made by system and school administration as per collective agreements and Board policy.

Student Voice

Robert Moore School Students participated in a Question and Answer Period on Monday, April 8, 2019 regarding the proposed Grade 7/8 transition to the Fort Frances High School with Timea Enge. Timea is a Grade 7 student attending the Intermediate Program at Fort Frances High School.

What is WE Day about?
This is an annual event organized by the WE charity. 

Is it possible for one of our athletes to join a high school team?
They can compete on the cross-country, track and field and Nordic skiing.

Fall play – Can grade 7/8s can audition?
Yes, for the drama production but not for the musicals.

How about community involvement (i.e. Rainycrest, cooking, grilled cheese, crepes, etc.)?
If they go as an intermediate class. Community Services hours for graduation purposes begin after students complete Grade 8.

Are the 7/8s involved in assemblies?
Yes, where appropriate.

Do they attend presentations in the Theatre (i.e. trades assembly)?
Yes, when applicable and room allows.

What is the hat rule?
Not allowed.

What about hoodies?
Can be worn but the hood is to be down.

What is the gym schedule for Grade 7/8s? Are there 3 gym periods per week? Why are there two gyms? Do you alternate between the small gym and the big?
Intermediates use the big gym mostly, with the divider in place.

Do we mix up for gym class?
Yes there are boys and girls. “It’s fun having different teachers; teachers can teach to their strengths.”

Do you sometimes get to use high school-specific rooms (i.e. for science)?
Yes and also a music room.

How do the other kids act around the Grade 7/8s? How much interaction do you have with the older students?
Very little interaction between the high school and intermediate students. “We are like kindergarten students.”

When we have lunch breaks and go to the cafeteria, will we see the high school students? Will there be high school kids in the cafeteria?
Intermediate students eat in a specific area in the cafeteria from 12:00 to 12:25. There are high school students in there as well but not where the intermediate students sit. They are supervised at all times.

Do we go to the cafeteria and just grab food?
No.

How does exam week work?  How many exams do we get?
Only high school students have exams. Exam week is a regular week for intermediates.

In your opinion, if we are in Grade 6 or 7, do we have anything to fear?
No.

Can you leave the school at lunch time?
Intermediate students can only leave the school if they are signed out by a parent/guardian.

Can we ask high school students to go buy stuff for us at McDonalds?
No.

Are there hall passes?
Not for intermediate.

Has anyone had their lunch money stolen?
No. Intermediate students should not have lunch money.

Which schools are being considered to go to the High School? Is there anything saying we will be going there for sure? Do you want us to come? Will Robert Moore School students be mixed in with J.W. Walker students?
All intermediate students are Fort Frances High School students. Class lists will be made using the same method that is currently used.

Do we need indoor shoes?
Yes

How will we get to school? Will we be on the same bus as the High School kids?
Students will be transported to and from school by bus. Students will be on the same bus as high school and elementary students as many do now.

What time does school start?
8:55 a.m.

When is dismissal?
3:05 p.m.

Do they have gender-neutral washrooms?
Yes, in the main office. “Grade 7/8s have their own bathrooms with keys.”
 
Do the Grades 7/8s have their own section in the school?
A diagram was shown where students would get dropped off and where 7/8s would be.

Where is the hidden hallway?
It is the hallway used by the Grade 7/8 program.

Do the lockers double up?
No.

Has anyone gotten trapped in their locker?
No

Is there a homeroom?
Yes

Is your schedule the same all year long? On a typical day, what would your 4 periods be?
Schedules will vary according to programming.

What about phones?
No cell phones in class unless they are used as part of the lesson and the teacher has given permission.

Are we allowed to bring our Chrome Books home?
No. However, this is currently under review.



 

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