N E W S R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release August 11, 2010
Additional Information Jeanne Collins, Superintendent
Phone 864-8474 email: superintendent@bsdvt.org
SMITH STUDENTS TO START SCHOOL AT FLYNN AND ST MARK’S
The kindergarten classes and second grade of C. P. Elementary School will be housed temporarily at the startof this school year at J.J. Flynn Elementary School, 1645 North Avenue and the first grade classes will join grades 3 through 5 at St. Mark’s Community Center, 1251 North Avenue. Jeanne Collins, Burlington School Superintendent, announced that this change was due primarily to the unavailability of essential equipment and fabricated structures required to complete the south wing portion of the renovations this summer at Smith Elementary. It is anticipated that the kindergarten, first and second grade classes will return to Smith no later than October 25.
A plan to temporarily house grades 3 through 5 at the St. Mark’s Community Center was already in place to allow renovation work, as authorized by voters for the critical needs renovations, on the north wing with grades 3 through 5 returning to the school by November 31. This portion of the construction project is on schedule.
Thomas Fleury, C.P. Smith Principal, met with faculty on Wednesday at St. Mark’s to announce the plan. He indicated that the district received information from the district that, Wright & Morrissey, the contractor had stated that the work should be completed in the south wing in time to move back in during the two days of teacher staff development, October 21 – 22.
When asked by staff about the possibility of modular classrooms, Fleury responded that the administration had pursued this option but the limited time factor for set up and permits, as well as the cost in excess of $84,000 for short term rental for six classrooms eliminated this option. Use of the Miller Center was also considered; however, it also is not licensed as a school space and the school would need to tie up the Miller Recreation areas beyond the school day, cancelling evening events for this time period.
Fleury indicated that there was no additional space available at St. Mark’s to move all classrooms to that site. The Flynn school will house the kindergarten classes in the gym and the single second grade class in a classroom normally used for special programs such as Spanish language instruction, which can be conducted in the regular classroom during this period.
Fleury recognized the additional effort that this will require of teachers to start the school year and expressed his gratitude for the faculty’s teamwork. He also recognized the additional assistance of St. Mark’s Parish and the flexibility and assistance of the Flynn principal and faculty.
This change means that the Burlington Kids program for CP Smith students will also operate out of the St. Mark's Community Center. Members of the Burlington Kids collaborative management team are already working with the Child Development Division and other partners to ensure that there is a licensed child care center at the St. Marks site. Burlington Kids remain committed to delivering high quality after school opportunities for children in a safe supportive environment.
Collins detailed the plan to board members Tuesday night and received approval from the infrastructure/Technology and Finance Committees of the Board.
An alert now automated telephone message was sent to parents at both C. P. Smith and J.J. Flynn updating the change.
An informational meeting for parents at C.P. Smith will be held at St. Mark’s Community Center, cafeteria on Monday (August 16) at 7:00 p.m.
