The resource center often has to double as a classroom too - so there is no dedicated library, and the materials collection is fighting a loosing battle for survival.


Here's were students go when they need special attention or one-on-one tutoring - into a "converted" storage closet.


The custodial storage room is converted into another classroom without windows. The door in back is the remaining storage area. The only access to custodial equipment and materials is through this classroom.
Even the spaces originally designed as classrooms are crowded. In some cases, the desks don't appear to be accessible without moving other desks aside. 


The workshop is divided in half to provide room for a few computers- but how can you use both facilities at the same time? Can you operate this equipment safely?


The art room is a classroom too - the materials are stored above the back shelves and have to be reassembled and put away for every art class - the ones that can be scheduled around regular classes!


The remnants of a science lab can be seen from the workstations on the left - another loss to the demand for more classroom space.


These were computer workstations once, but now have to do the job of classroom desks. The computers are gone.


The cafeteria is cut in half to create another classroom - this one without any windows.  And more students in an even smaller cafeteria, with more lunch shifts. 

Over-Crowding at Leary's Brook Junior High

(last updated: Feb 1, 2005)




Participate in our Current Campaign
 Email all decision makers

Recent_Events
The_Situation
 Contact Leary's Brook School Council
The_Decision_Makers
The_Extension_Project_Chronology

Participate in our Current Campaign

As a followup to our letter to parents on January 14th, we want you to email and phone the members of the house of assembly involved in making the funding decisions. This is outlined in the letter below.

The letter includes some points you can make in your phone call and emails, and contains a link to email all the contacts at once.  You can also use their individual email and phone numbers.

Thank you to the many parents who took the time to sign and return the letter addressed to the Premier concerning the approval of funding for the badly needed extension to Learys Brook Junior High. Over the next few days these letters will be delivered directly to those individuals who are involved in the budgetary decision-making process.

However, we cannot let it rest there. It is imperative that there be sustained pressure applied. To accomplish this, your school council has planned an email and phone call campaign to take place over the next week or so. Please take the time to email as many people on the attached list as possible as well as make a phone call to their office. You are also asked to encourage others such as grandparents and people from the neighbourhood to email and call.

Both the email and the phone call should make the following points.

  • Your connection to Leary's Brook Junior High. (ie. Parent or grand-parent of a student, concerned community member, etc.) 
  • If you wish, the name and grade level of your child. 
  • State the overcrowding issue. State the impact of overcrowding on students, especially your child. 
    • 100+ more students than the school was originally designed for. 
    • 16 homerooms in a building designed for 12. 
    • Science, Computer Lab, Learning Resource Centre, Cafeteria and Storage rooms are being used for classrooms (some with no windows or ventilation). 
    • Inability to deliver Art, Tech Ed, Home Economics and Science in the manner prescribed by the Dept. of Education. 
  • This project had previously been approved and funded. 
  • Construction was delayed for one year and last year was deferred for a second year. It should now get the go ahead. Ask for a response. 
  • It would also improve the appeal if you also personalize your message with any additional concerns that are important to you and your children.

The contact information is attached and can also be found on the school web site at www.lbjh.k12.nf.ca/   Follow the link under "School Overcrowding" to get the pertinent information.  There you can also find an email link to reach all the contacts at once.

Sincerely,

Guy Matthews

Chair of Leary's Brook School Council




CLICK TO E-MAIL ALL CONTACTS.
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Recent Events

  • Letters from parents presented to members of government, Feb 1, 2005.
Left to right: Guy Matthews, Leary's Brook School Council; Tom Hedderson, Minister of Education; Bob Ridgley, MHA St. John's North.
  • January 14, 2005: Leary's Brook School Council solicits parents support with a letter to government and request for parent support 
  • December 7, 2004: Avalon East School Board News Release endorses extension project
  • School Fact Sheet prepared by principal Byron Head in early fall 2004.

The Situation


Over-crowding is a chronic and ongoing problem at Leary's Brook Junior High.  The school was originally built with 12 home rooms and a capacity of 375 students.  For several years it has been operating at over-capacity, with enrollment numbering from 480 to 496 students, and with resource and storage space converted into classrooms.  There are currently 16 areas designated as home rooms.

Learning resources, art, tech ed, computer and science labs have been sacrificed to try and make up the lack of classroom space.  Some students are in windowless classrooms and other instructional areas that still serve as storage space.  

Clearly, there is concern regarding the safety, comfort and functionality of the school under these conditions.  But more importantly, the impact on program delivery has been negative and dramatic.  Art, tech ed, and science programs have been impeded and the Home Economics program has all but ceased to exist.

Work on school extension has been ongoing for 5 years. By 2003, the design was completed, funding allocated and tender called and awarded.  The project appeared to be a go.  Due to concerns raised by the Department of Justice over land ownership, however, the project was delayed for another year.  Once again, in 2004, the project appeared to be a go. In fact, the contracter agreed to hold his original bid.   By this time, however, the funds allocated in 2003 were no longer available.   The provincial government decided to defer the project as a fiscal restraint practice, leaving the project in limbo once again.  

There is some good news: the Eastern School Board has endorsed the project and requested that it proceed this year, and that it be approved prior to any consideration of the Board's 2004-2005 requests for capital funding.  However, the School Council feels very strongly that without significant indication of support from parents, the project will not be given priority by the provincial government.  Once again, we are asking parents to become involved in promoting this issue.

Contact Leary's Brook School Council

If you want to help out in our effort, you can contact Ed Brown (brown@cs.mun.ca), parent representative on Leary's Brook School Council.  Or or fill in the form below:
Email address:
Name:
I am willing to promote the Leary's Brook Extension Project by expressing my concerns as needed. Add me to the contact list.
I am also willing to contact other volunteers as part of a phone tree or contact list.
Other comments:




The Decision Makers

You can also contact government members independently of the School Council efforts.  Feel free to use the draft letter from January 14 if you want. Here are some addresses of the appropriate people:

All members of the House of Assembly can be reached at the mailing address:

Confederation Building, East Block
PO Box 8700
St. John's, NL A1B 4J6

Premier Danny Williams
Office of the Premier
         Phone: 729-3570
         Fax: 729-5875
         E-mail: premier@gov.nl.ca

Loyola Sullivan, Minister of Finance
         Phone: 729-3775
         Fax: 729-6791
         Toll Free: 1-800-634-5504
         E-mail: lsullivan@gov.nl.ca

Tom Hedderson, Minister of Education
         Phone: 729-5040/1-877-787-0707
         Fax: 729-0414
         E-mail: thedderson@gov.nl.ca

Fabian Manning, Parliamentary Secretary, Dept of Education
         Phone: 729-6926
         Fax: 729-0414
         E-mail: fmanning@gov.nl.ca

Bob Ridgely, MHA,
St. John's North
         Phone: 729-6921
         Fax: 729-1082
         E-mail: bobridgley@gov.nl.ca 

Dianne Whalen, MHA
Conception Bay East & Bell Island
         Phone: 729-4712
         Fax: 729-4754
         E-mail: dianne.whalen@gov.nl.ca 


If you want to contact the Eastern School District School Board and discuss the matter or thank them for their attention to the issue:

Bruce Sheppard, Director of Education

Bruce Peckford, Chairperson

         Eastern School District School Board
         Suite 601, Atlantic Place
         215 Water Street
         St. John's, Newfoundland
         A1C 6C9
         Telephone: (709) 758-2372
         Fax: (709) 758-2706

The Extension Project Chronology

This section is under construction... we have information back to 2001, and are gathering more..