Restructuring: Educational Impact Statement Filed
The 15-member Citizens Advisory
Restructuring Committee, formed in accordance with
Education Law Section 402-a to investigate the impact of
closing a building in the Greater Johnstown School
District, filed its
Educational Impact Statement with the Board of
Education on March 6, 2009. The full report may be viewed
online by clicking the link provided above (note: this
is a large file which may take some time to download).
Photocopies are also available at all school buildings in
the district.
Change is in the Air, Jansen Ave. to Close
As winter dissipates and spring emerges, we all prepare
for a new season in life. Following months of study, the
Board of Education voted unanimously on March 26, 2009 to
close the Jansen Avenue Elementary School building at the
end of the 2008-09 school year. And so we begin
preparations for a new season in the Johnstown school
community.
Each year, our students
say good-bye to one grade level and move on to another.
Our pre-kindergarteners say good-bye to their classroom at
Warren Street School and move on to new classes and
perhaps to new buildings; our sixth graders say good-bye
to their elementary building and move on to Knox Junior
High; our eighth graders say good-bye to Knox and move on
to Johnstown High School; our seniors say good-bye to high
school and move on to college or to work. Almost every
year, some member of our staff says good-bye and moves on
to retirement. Change is an inevitable and ongoing part of
life.
At the close of the 2008-09 school year, our Jansen
students and staff will say good-bye to their building and
relocate to other schools in the district. While it will
bring a touch of sadness, it also brings the opportunity
for new adventure, with new classroom space to set up, new
hallways to traverse and new friendships to be forged.
Over the next several weeks, the Board of Education and
school administrators will work to establish new
attendance boundaries in the district. While all of
Jansen’s population will find themselves in new
surroundings at the start of the 2009-10 school year, some
students from other buildings may be relocated as well.
For many children, change is exciting; it is a chance to
learn and grow. For some, change can bring a touch of
apprehension. Be sure to communicate with your children
and attempt to ease their minds. If you think your child
is having a problem accepting the idea of change, please
speak to his or her teacher.
We encourage all students,
parents, staff and community members to look for positive
ways to embrace this transition. If we come together,
share together and work together, we will succeed
together.
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