Cold Lake Configuration Committee to proceed with the proposed Multi-Configuration scenario

When the Board approved the recommendation of the Cold Lake Configuration Committee (CLCC) to proceed with the proposed Multi-Configuration scenario for our schools in Cold Lake, the CLCC committed to presenting the Board and the community with the changes that would be made in 2021-2022 by the end of this school year.

“We are pleased to be able to share not only what changes will take place for the start of the 2021-2022 school year, but also the timing of other changes that will be made over the next three years to transition from our current configuration in Cold Lake to the configuration outlined in the Multi-Configuration scenario,” Northern Lights Public Schools stated.

Under the new configuration, North Star Elementary will become a Kindergarten to Grade 6 school (currently K to 3), Cold Elementary will become a Kindergarten to Grade 3 school (currently K to 4), Nelson Heights will become a grades 4 to 6 school (currently 5 to 8), Cold Lake Middle School will become a grades 7 to 9 school (currently 4 to 8), Cold Lake High will become a grades 10-12 school (currently 9 to 12), and Art Smith Aviation Academy will retain its current Kindergarten to Grade 8 configuration, as long as enrolments do not exceed the capacity of the school.

The NLPS says feedback provided by parents and staff during the consultation process was invaluable when developing this transition plan, in particular the need to consider the mental health needs of our students, ensure smooth transitions for students, and minimize disruption to students.

“While it is possible to make the changes required in a more compressed timeframe, we have decided to extend the transition over three years, with minimal changes for the 2021-2022 school year,” NLPS added.

For 2021-2022 there will be only one change made to the configuration of schools in Cold Lake. Students who are currently in Grade 3 at North Star Elementary School will remain at the school next year. North Star will become a K to 4 school for 2021-2022 and Cold Lake Middle School will become a grades 5 to 8 school. All other schools will retain their current configuration.

Changes will occur at all schools except Art Smith Aviation Academy in 2022-2023. Cold Lake High School will become a grades 10 to 12 school, with all Grade 9 students attending Cold Lake Middle School, which will be a grades 6 to 9 school that year. North Star will become a K to 5 school. Cold Lake Elementary School will become a K to 3 school and Grade 4 students in the north will attend Nelson Heights, which will become a K to 7 school.

The final configuration changes will be made in 2023-2024. Cold Lake Middle School will become a grades 7 to 9 school, with North Star becoming a K to 6 school. Nelson Heights will become a grades 4 to 6 school.

“We have been receiving questions from parents and guardians about how transitions will work for students and how the number of transitions can be reduced, particularly for students in grades 7 to 9. If you feel your child will need assistance in preparing for the changes that will take place over the next three years, please contact your child’s school to discuss your concerns and what resources may be available to help,” NLPS said.

As well, please note that the timelines that were shared above are the dates when the configurations of the schools will change and students will need to transition to the designated schools. There may be opportunities for students to change schools at an earlier time, if that will be beneficial to them, provided the grade they are enrolled in is offered at that school.

For instance, a student wishing to make the transition to Cold Lake Middle School in Grade 7 or 8 so that they can attend that school until the end of Grade 9 instead of transitioning to that school in Grade 9 and then to high school the following year, may enroll in Cold Lake Middle School in 2021-22 or 2022-23 even though they may not need to officially change schools until 2022-23 or 2023-24. Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss their options and what will work best for their child with their current school administration.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.

Arthur@lakelandconnect.thedev.ca