School’s grade expansion approved

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This article was published 18/02/2025 (401 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Brandon School Division (BSD) has approved the expansion of Riverview School to include Grades 7 and 8.

The admission of the grade seven students starts immediately, as they are set to begin attending in September 2025, with Grade 8 students following in September 2026.

The school board’s decision followed a comprehensive survey that gathered feedback from 311 respondents, including parents and staff from Riverview and King George schools. The results showed broad community support for the expansion, with continuity, travel time, and school community being key priorities.

The decision was made following the board’s extensive consultation with parents, staff, and the wider community, BSD board of trustees’ chair Linda Ross said.

The Grade 7 registration is now open, allowing for a smooth transition in the coming academic year, Supt. Mathew Gustafson told the Sun.

Riverview School has available classroom space to accommodate the new grades, reducing the need for extensive renovations.

“We will be utilizing empty classrooms for both Grade 7 and Grade 8 as they are introduced,” he said in an interview. “Depending on class configurations, we will ensure the necessary furniture, such as appropriately sized chairs and tables, is available. Some of this will come from existing resources in other schools, while additional supplies will be procured as needed.”

While major capital investments are not anticipated, BSD will make incremental upgrades, such as acquiring additional physical education equipment, science materials, and expanded library resources to align with the curriculum for the new grades, he added.

Staffing allocations will be adjusted accordingly, with teachers being reassigned based on student enrolment figures. Gustafson noted that some teaching staff from King George School would be reassigned to Riverview to ensure balanced distribution.

“This isn’t an increase in the number of students overall, but rather a shift in where they attend,” he said. “Our teacher allocation will follow the enrolment numbers and budget considerations.”

The transition will also affect King George School, as its Grade 7 intake will decrease due to Riverview students staying at their school for an additional year.

Trustee Blaine Foley explained that the consultation process was very helpful.

“The survey was well received, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive in favor of making Riverview a K-8 school,” he said, “The facility committee appreciates the efforts of senior administration in this process.”

Trustee Breeanna Sieklicki also emphasized the value of the survey.

“The results were very positive, and that played a key role in our discussions. I appreciate the participation of parents and staff in providing their input,” she said.

With the approval now finalized, Gustafson added BSD will move forward with preparing Riverview School for its new students, ensuring necessary resources and staffing adjustments are in place before the first cohort of Grade 7 students arrives in September 2025. As the implementation progresses, further updates on the transition process and facility enhancements will be provided to families.

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