Other Review
Updated October 26, 2022
Changes to the Re-opening of Bannockburn Public School as a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 French Immersion Centre
The re-opening of Bannockburn Public School has been changed from September 2023 to September 2024. The school will welcome Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 French Immersion students in September 2024, expanding by one grade per year up to and including Grade 6 in September 2027.
Due to the increase in the scope of the renovations and the delayed supply timelines, staff investigated phasing of the construction to allow the school to open in September 2023. However, due to health and safety concerns of students being onsite during construction, staff determined the date to reopen Bannockburn Public School will be delayed by one year. The new anticipated reopening date for the school is September 1, 2024.
With the health and safety of students and staff a top priority, the change in date will allow the TDSB to complete all the necessary work required prior to the reopening with no interruptions to school operations and no temporary measures required while students are in the building.
Background
The decision to re-open Bannockburn Public School as a French Immersion Centre came out of the Yonge-Eglinton Phase 2 Program Area Review, which was completed and approved by Board in June 2021. The Review sought to address continued enrolment growth and accommodation pressures in the Yonge-Eglinton area, specifically at Eglinton Junior Public School.
John Fisher Junior Public School, currently a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 French Immersion Centre, will become a dual-track school (English and French Immersion) beginning in September 2022. The northern portion of John Fisher Junior Public School’s French Immersion catchment will be absorbed by Bannockburn Public School so that John Fisher Junior Public School can accommodate English program students from Eglinton Junior Public School. Detailed information about the Yonge-Eglinton Phase 2 Program Area Review can be found at https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Strategy-Planning/Search-All-Reviews/id/166.
Staff have confirmed that John Fisher Junior Public School has the space available to accommodate students who would have otherwise been relocated to Bannockburn Public School in September 2023 for one more year.
Who Can Attend Bannockburn Public School in September 2024?
Students that will be entering Junior Kindergarten in September 2024 can apply for entry into the Early French Immersion program during the application period in November 2023. Placement into Bannockburn Public School will be based on the number of applications received and the number of Junior Kindergarten spots available. Per TDSB Operational Procedure PR 597, all students applying on-time for the Early French Immersion program are guaranteed a spot in a program, but not a particular school. For more information on the Early French Immersion program and/or to apply for Junior Kindergarten French Immersion entry, please visit:
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/EarlyFrenchImmersion
Early French Immersion students entering SK to Grade 3 at John Fisher Junior Public School in September 2024 and who reside in the Bedford Park Public School attendance area or John Wanless Junior Public School attendance area or Bedford Park Public School/Blythwood Junior Public School shared attendance areas will be redirected to Bannockburn Public School that year. An exception will be made for students who have an older sibling in Grades 4 to 6 at John Fisher Junior Public School in September 2024; these students will have the option to attend Bannockburn Public School or remain at John Fisher Junior Public School through to graduation.
Below is a table that shows the French Immersion grades that will be impacted by the move to Bannockburn Public School with the revised timelines.
|
School Year
|
Grade
|
|
JK
|
SK
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
|
2022/23
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
|
2023/24
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
JF
|
|
2024/25
|
B |
B |
B |
B |
B |
JF*
|
JF
|
JF
|
*Current Grade 2 students at John Fisher Jr PS would stay at John Fisher Jr PS for Grade 4 in September 2024.
Legend:
JF – John Fisher Junior Public School B – Bannockburn Public School
Next Steps and More Information
Construction at Bannockburn Public School will continue through the 2022/23 and 2023/24 school years to ensure that the building is ready for TDSB students in September 2024. This webpage will be updated throughout the year to keep the community abreast of any new developments. A Questions and Answers document can be found below under 'Helpful Information'.