Description
Dear RVS Parents and Guardians,
To support ongoing enrolment growth and maximize learning spaces for our students, the Board of Trustees for Rocky View Schools (RVS) is considering potential changes to some schools in Chestermere starting September 2025.
Chestermere’s growth has increased student enrolment year after year, pushing most RVS schools in the community to capacity. A solution is needed to help make the best use of available learning spaces and support this growth for all students attending Chestermere schools while we wait for new schools to be built. The Board has approved a public engagement to collect feedback from families, students and staff on a proposed solution that would change grade levels at East Lake School and redesignate some communities to Rainbow Creek and Prairie Waters Elementary Schools.
Proposed Solution for Feedback
• East Lake School’s English program expands from Kindergarten to Grade 6 to Kindergarten to Grade 9.
• Christian and French Immersion programs for Kindergarten to Grade 6 remain at East Lake School while the Christian and French Immersion programs for Grades 7 to 9 would continue to be offered at Chestermere Lake Middle School only.
• Communities of Chelsea, Bridgeport commercial, Waterford, Waterford Estates, and Paradise Meadows are redesignated from attending East Lake School to attend Rainbow Creek Elementary School.
• North Acreages area is redesignated from attending East Lake School to attend Prairie Waters Elementary School.
• Clearwater Park community is designated to attend Rainbow Creek Elementary School.
• Bridgeport North is designated to attend Prairie Waters Elementary School.
Share your Thoughts
The Board is collecting feedback on the proposal from as many families as possible to help inform our decision. Written feedback is being collected through RVSengage. The survey is open through Nov. 26, 2024.
Families are also encouraged to attend an in-person presentation and table discussion at Chestermere Lake Middle School on Oct. 22, 2024. The presentation begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. followed by an opportunity to share your thoughts with RVS staff. All online and in-person feedback is valued and will be considered.
The Board also provides an opportunity for the public to share their thoughts directly with the Board by presenting as a delegation at a public meeting (please see Board Policy 7 – Board Operations (Section 7)). Delegations to the Board for the Chestermere Student Accommodation Engagement are scheduled for Dec. 12, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the RVS Education Centre, 2651 Chinook Winds Drive S.W., Airdrie or online via Zoom at https://rockyview.zoom.us/my/rvsboard. Requests to present on Dec. 12 must be received by noon on Dec. 4 c/o Greg Luterbach, Superintendent of Schools, at 2651 Chinook Winds Drive S.W., Airdrie, T4B 0B4 or suptoffice@rockyview.ab.ca.
We recognize that this news may cause some uncertainty for families, and we appreciate your understanding. The Board aims to make a decision on a solution in early 2025 with changes in place for September 2025. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us through RVSEngage.
Sincerely,
Fiona Gilbert
Board Chair
