There could be changes coming to the structure of North Hastings High School.
It’s been proposed by the Hastings Prince Edward School Board that NHHS would become a grade 7 to 12 school in September 2019. Currently, the school board says students from Bird’s Creek Public School, Coe Hill School, Hermon Public School and Maynooth Public transition to York River Public School for grades 7 and 8. They add that YRPS is near full capacity and is in need of extra space to help with student needs and programming. NHHS has a surplus of around 470 student spaces, the school board says.
“There’s time between now and end of December and the first week of January for people to share their questions or concerns,” Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer with the school board, says. If it does get approved in January 2019, NHHS would become a grade 7 to 12 school beginning that September. “This all stems from accommodation reviews, but some have come from being able to provide programs and services for all students and making the best use of our school facilities,” Donnell says.
Donnell says that this model has recently been put in place at two other schools. Belleville Centennial Secondary School switched to this model in September 2017, while Trenton High School did the same this year.
Wayne Stewart, Principal of NHHS, mentions in a Facebook post on the North Hastings High School Facebook page that admins at the school will be looking to Bayside Secondary School in Belleville for help with this proposed change. There’s a proposal involving their transition to becoming a grades 7 to 12 as well. Donnell says BSS is proposed to be formalized as a secondary school by September 2019. “We plan on drawing upon all of the experience that has been gained with these changes at other schools in order to make this change worthwhile and positive for all of our students, should it happen,” Stewart says.
“This move, if it happens, will not have any negative impact on class sizes for any of our students,” Stewart says. “Please be assured that we as a school are completely committed to making this move, should it happen, a positive, worthwhile experience,” he adds.
Donnell says that if any parents have concerns about this to contact Stewart directly. Stewart adds that the best way to do this is by dropping a letter off at the school, or by emailing him at [email protected]. “I will ensure that all of your questions, concerns and ideas will be provided to the senior administration of the board, and I will personally respond to you if I am provided with contact information,” Stewart says.
To view Wayne Stewart’s full Facebook statement, go to North Hastings High School’s Facebook page. Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board also put out a report on the proposed change, which can be read on their website.