Algonquin benefits from Primary Class Size Capital and Best Start funding

Work will be carried out at Algonquin Road Public School this summer. Two classrooms will be added along the west side of the building thanks to $500,000 in Primary Class Size Capital funding from the Ministry of Education.  The addition will have energy efficient lighting and ventilation systems. A Best Start Hub will also be constructed with $268,000 in Best Start funding.

Algonquin Road Public School is one of eight Rainbow Schools to benefit from Primary Class Size Capital funding this year. "Four years ago, the Ministry of Education began phasing in a cap of 20 students in the primary grades (JK to Grade 3)," said Rainbow District School Board Chair Judy Hunda. "The Ministry is now providing funding to accommodate the smaller class sizes."

She added: "We are also very exciting that Algonquin Road Public School has been selected as the Best Start Hub for the city’s south end." Best Start Hubs are family centres in schools that offer children and their families a place to meet, to learn and to grow together. There are 12 Best Start Hubs in neighbourhoods throughout Greater Sudbury.

Rainbow District School Board has surpassed provincial targets for the reduction of primary class sizes in Ontario. A total of 92 per cent of Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 classes in Rainbow Schools have 20 or fewer students, compared to 88.4 per cent on a provincial level. All primary classes in Rainbow Schools have 23 or fewer students.

"Children in our care are benefiting from more individual attention from their teachers," says Jean Hanson, Director of Education for Rainbow District School Board. She adds: "Early years are critical years as we build the foundation for more advanced academic studies in later grades."

The Ministry of Education began phasing in the cap of 20 students in the primary grades (JK to Grade 3) in the 2004 – 2005 school year with full implementation by 2007 – 2008. "To make class sizes smaller, more teachers and more classrooms are needed," says Director Hanson. "To date, Rainbow District School Board has received funding to hire approximately 40 more teachers for the primary grades. School boards are now receiving capital dollars to address primary class size space requirements."

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Media Contact:
Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor, Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.