Blog Archives

Items to be addressed re Tennyson new building

1/20/2021

OPEN ITEMS

Could the construction company provide a 10’ fence on the northwest corner of the gym (sidewalk side, north end of Maple Street and west end of 10th Ave)? This would allow ball games in this area without the risk of losing balls onto the street. There is currently exactly this type of fence on this corner around what I think is a generator. The typical 6’ fences are probably not high enough. Ideally we’d keep this fence until the end of the school year or until such time as there was another space available for ball games. Another area that could benefit from a higher temporary fence is on 11th behind the yellow portable. Could we consider a permanent 10' fence on the corner of Maple and 10th? UPDATE Jan 27- VSB suggested no augmentation to school fences is possible. PAC has asked them to reconsider given that this would be a temporary fence and there are already many temporary fences around the school. They are getting back to us. UPDATE Feb 10 - VSB still looking at what is possible for the northwest corner
What kind of fencing will surround the rest of the grounds? The current fencing is problematic because it is too low for ball games. Will the parking lot be protected from flying balls? Field? UPDATE Jan 27- VSB suggested no augmentation to school fences. PAC has asked them to reconsider. Fence hight around the school is supposed to be a minimum of 4'. It is 3'3" around 10th and Maple. UPDATE Feb 10 - in reviewing plans, 1.2meter fences are spec'd as low fending hight, while 3 meter fencing is spec'd in places around the field. Approx 75% of current (low) fending is lower than 1.2meters. M. Roch is bringing this to the contractor's attention.
Mud Pits. What can parents do to advocate for the mud pits being fixed ASAP? We have very limited space on the new school side, and this takes a large piece of that real estate away from the kids. UPDATE Jan 27- VSB considering school suggestion of some kind of landscaping mat that would cover the mud temporarily.
Can we paint games onto the pavement of the new school grounds? Can the kids do this as an art project? Parents on the weekend? UPDATE Jan 27- No response from VSB. UPDATE Feb 10 - painting games on school grounds needs to be done by district staff. There are plans within the new school drawings to include painted ground games. M. Roch is discussing with the architect options on placement, scope and design. It is expected that these would not be completed until the summer, when weather is better for outdoor painting.
The parking lot. Looking at the plans again, VSB was asked if the parking lot could be used as additional play space until the field is complete (approximately 18 months from now). Not sure under who’s directive the parking lot falls (is it the City that dictates what parking is needed? The VSB? Teacher’s union?). Perhaps there could be a work around via special permit parking in the area? UPDATE Jan 27- PAC has asked VSB to look into this matter. UPDATE Feb 10 - parking is mandated by the city. Parking lot includes accessible parking stalls as well as work / garbage truck access. Possible that we could access half the lot. VSB continues to look at the issue.
Outdoor play structures. Currently the K-1 playground has no accessible elements. We are looking at activity panels long the fence, or freestanding (not on the safety surfacing area). There is barrier free access to the inside of the fence from the rubberized surfacing. Accessible musical instruments: Per Habitat they do not need to be installed on safety surfacing of any kind. This would increase the accessibility of our playspace and provide additional playspace beyond the limited square footage of the intermediate playground. Outdoor classroom. What materials / suppliers are approved to provide this equipment for us? Habitat offers configurations like the attached photo but I believe we are not allowed to use wood, is that still correct? What materials are allowed, do you have examples of where this has been done in other schools? Could this classroom area have a roof / shelter of any kind so it could be used in all weather by teachers and students? UPDATE Jan 27- PAC will put out a survey to parents in the spring with ideas for additional outdoor play space options. These will have to be fundraised for and may take 1-5 years to be realized, depending on the scope of the project. VSB is getting back to PAC about approved materials. PAC will ask VSB about where on the grounds additional outdoor elements could be located. UPDATE Feb 10 - PAC has received 2 guides for both outdoor classrooms as well as gardens. We will review. VSB flagged considerations with respect to musical gardens, in terms of noice and vandalism. Any additional elements cannot be attached to a fence nor placed into the rubberized surface.
Outdoor covered areas. What are the rules about canopies, covered spaces, etc. We would like to talk about where might be possible to add some weather cover on the grounds. We think the area in the courtyard might be a good spot for this because it is behind a locked high fence overnight for security. UPDATE Jan 27- VSB has said no to both permanent and temporary outdoor coverings. PAC has asked them to reconsider the courtyard area as it is allegedly secure overnight. PAC will provide some samples. UPDATE Feb 10 - VSB has indicated that no permanent coverings can be used. PAC will wait to see how the new spaces are used next year before doing further research / recommendations.
The old Tennyson field had a long jump pit area that was used by the track and field team. Will there be a long jump pit on the new grounds? Parents have requested one (we have a large number of students who participate in track and field in the spring), can we discuss if this is possible? UPDATE Jan 27- VSB is looking into this. They have indicated that anything that existed at the old school must be replaced. UPDATE Feb 10 - VSB continues to look for a location for long jump pit on new school grounds. Undetermined if this is an item that will be covered by the contractor or need to be fundraised for by PAC.
How many bike racks will be installed when the project is finished? Is it enough for the number of students and staff who bike to school? Is it possible to have some undercover like at the old building for rain cover UPDATE Jan 27- VSB is looking into this. They have indicated that anything that existed at the old school must be replaced (but not more) UPDATE Feb 10 - PAC will confirm with VSB how many bike racks were at old school
Are there benches / picnic tables in the plans for the new building? If so, how many? UPDATE Jan 27- VSB is looking into this. They have indicated that anything that existed at the old school must be replaced (but not more) UPDATE Feb 10 - M. Roch will confirm with VSB how many picnic tables / benches were at old school.
Brick plinths with concrete tops. These seem dangerous. UPDATE Jan 27- VSB is looking into this. UPDATE Feb 10 - no update
slippery stones near little kids playground. UPDATE Feb 10 - no update
Do we have enough interior blinds for lockdown drills. UPDATE Feb 10 - no update
Can something be done to dim the classroom lights that are to bright. UPDATE Feb 10 - Doug has put in a request for quote. Is working with the electrical department. VSB is slow to respond due to covid and staff absences.
Augmentation to the kindergarten cloakroom needs to be addressed. What is the timeline?. UPDATE Feb 10 - new timeline for cubbies to be finished at carpentry shop is Feb 19. Installation to be scheduled outside of school hours.
The "old Tennyson" had a number of raised garden beds that were used by staff and students. Will the seismic project be moving those beds to a functional space in the new school grounds, or will they be replacing them with new garden beds? UPDATE Feb 10 - PAC will confirm with VSB how many. M. Roch confirming with architect that these will be moved/replaced
Courtyard fence swings 180 and has no ability to be locked, even though it is supposed to be secure. UPDATE Feb 10 - no update
Brick will be sanded down over spring break

ITEMS RESOLVED OR CLOSED

Can the VSB provide additional supervision aides to allow the use of the old playground / more trips offsite? I realize we are already up to 5 from 3, but we have a very challenging situation to navigate and the additional help would allow trips back and forth to the big kids’ playground, and potentially to Connaught or Granville parks. An additional 2 would probably facilitate this. If not the above, could parent volunteers provide a safe corridor for primary kids to traverse the sidewalk during the primary kids' lunch recess? UPDATE Jan 27- grade 7 students are permitted unsupervised access to/from the playground during recess periods. Other grades have scheduled once per week access during class time when supervision can be provided. There is not enough staffing for other times. Visits to Connaught park continue, but only within cohorts. This continues to be an issue for the kids as it means they can be separated from their friends. Breaking into grade levels has been an issue for teaching staff.
Can the construction company provide a 2m corridor within the grounds so the old playground is safely accessible? I realize we are going to lose the big kids’ playground in a couple of months, but that just makes one of the above scenarios seem that much more urgent. UPDATE Jan 27 - construction company is unable to provide.
If no other solution is possible, could a portable toilet be installed at the old playground site so that if a cohort travels to the old playground “zone” they can stay there for the whole recess (not requiring additional supervision aides for safe sidewalk access). UPDATE Jan 27 - VSB has not responded on this question directly and probably will not before access to the playground in closed in the coming weeks.
Intermediate Playground Installation - we would like to ask the VSB to consider paying for the difference between a community install (what we had budgeted for as a PAC) and the habitat install. Since the PAC agreed to wait to install the new playground structure on the new school site, there is a significant cost savings to VSB and it would help greatly if VSB would consider paying the difference in the two installations if a community install is not possible in the spring / summer. UPDATE Jan 27- VSB has declined paying the difference in installation costs. PAC has asked VSB to be more proactive with PACs in future about any delays that might be caused by community installations. Had we found out about potential delays 2 years ago, as opposed to December, PAC might have elected to install the new playground before the move, thereby avoiding any community installation. VSB is looking into the potential timeline delay of a community installation and getting back to PAC
Can we possibly do away with the “zone” system outdoors at the school? I realize this is a health and safety issue, but curious if we are in a place now with covid that this could be re-visited. If this is a VSB issue, could/should parents address this directly with the VSB? Would you have any suggestion on whom we would contact? UPDATE Jan 27- No response from VSB UPDATE Feb 10 - we no longer have the zome system.
What can parents do to help facilitate continual outings to Connaught or Granville park? Do we need more volunteers? Is there a way that it can be broken up by grade as opposed to cohorts? UPDATE Jan 27- Visits to Connaught park continue, but only within cohorts. This continues to be an issue for the kids as it means they may be separated from their friends, making park visits less attractive. Breaking into grade levels has been an issue for teaching staff.
There look to be 2 basketball courts in the plans - could one be used for ball hockey? This is a popular pastime at Tennyson. Could hockey nets replace the basketball nets for one of the 2 courts? UPDATE Jan 27- There will only be one basketball court near the new field. Realty is different from the plans.
What are the security concerns around the low fence of the whole school and little kids. UPDATE Jan 27- VSB suggested no augmentation to school fences. PAC has asked them to reconsider. Fence hight around the school is supposed to be a minimum of 4'. It is 3'3" around 10th and Maple.

Funderland Spring Break Camp

Pink Tenny Ts - Order Info

Nicola Doughty: Kids, Relationships & Conflict - Mar 1st 6:30pm

NEW PUDO (Pick Up Drop Off) Parking Map

Thunderbirds Mini Rugby

Revised PAC Budget Proposal For Feb Vote

Items to be addressed re Tennyson new building

Mabel's Labels, say goodbye to Lost&Found!

Jan 18 PAC Meeting Agenda

Funderland Pro-D Day Camps

Blog Submissions

Blog Archives

Blog Categories

Newsletters