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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 26, 2007 - 5 DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER ANGRY PARENTS: Parents display their banners protesting Oakville Secondary Schools Boundary Review options that would move their kids south of the QEW to St. Thomas Aquinas. Board faced with three options Continued from page 4 It was in the presence of such clashing opinions that the boundary review committee members unveiled their three options to the board. "We are advisory as you know," said Boundary Review Committee member Brian White to trustees. "You will make the final decision." Option 1: The St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School boundary would consist of the Holy Family Catholic Elementary School attendance areas located north of the QEW and the Catholic elementary school attendance areas located south of the QEW, which include St. Luke, St. Vincent, St. James, St. Joseph and St. Domenic Catholic Elementary Schools. The St. Joan of Arc Catholic Elementary School attendance area located north of the QEW would also be included. The Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School boundary would consist of the Our Lady of Peace, St. Andrew, St. John, St. Michael and St. Marguerite d'Youville Catholic Elementary School attendance areas. The St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School boundary would consist of the Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, St. Bernadette and St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School attendance areas. Option 2: The St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School boundary would consist of the Holy Family Catholic Elementary School attendance areas located north of the QEW and the Catholic elementary school attendance areas located south of the QEW, which include St. Luke, St. Vincent, St. James, St. Joseph and St. Domenic Catholic Elementary Schools. The St. Joan of Arc and Pope John Paul II Catholic Elementary School attendance areas located west of Bronte Road would also be included. The Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School boundary would be the same as in option one. The St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School boundary would consist of the Mother Teresa, St. Bernadette and St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School attendance areas as well as the Pope John Paul II and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Elementary School attendance areas located east of Bronte Road. Option 3: The St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School boundary would consist of the St. Michael Catholic Elementary School attendance area north of the QEW and the Catholic elementary school attendance areas located south of the QEW, which include St. Luke, St. Vincent, St. James, St. Joseph and St. Domenic Catholic Elementary Schools. The St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School attendance area located north of the QEW would also be included. The Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School boundary would consist of the Our Lady of Peace, St. Andrew, St. John and St. Marguerite d'Youville Catholic Elementary School attendance areas. The St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School boundary would consist of the Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, St. Joan of Arc and St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School attendance areas. White also noted during his presentation that these options had been whittled down from 21 original scenarios. Recognizing that the boundary review is an emotional issue, Oakville trustee Pauline Houlahan attempted to ease concerns of those present by pointing out that one parent who could be affected by the boundary review believes it would actually benefit them. "They were on the outskirts of an area that has no bus service to their current high school and now (if this goes through) they will automatically be bussed," she said. "There are positives to this very emotional issue that hopefully the parents will begin to appreciate. The other thing I hope you will keep in mind is that we are a community within the Town of Oakville and we have three schools that are very capable and very willing to provide quality Catholic education at the secondary school level." Many parents expressed discontent after the meeting. "I was very disappointed," said Heidi Murray, Chair of St. Joan of Arc Catholic School Council. "They made a promise to this community and they're breaking it and it doesn't seem to me like they're taking all the issues into consideration. I don't think there has ever been a boundary review that has been this heated and that alone should be sending a clear message that when you have this many upset people and upset communities you're doing something wrong." St. Joan of Arc Grade 8 student Carly Thackray also expressed concerns about possibly being redirected to St. Thomas Aquinas when she graduates. "We want to be able to go to activities after school and that won't be able to happen if we go to St. Thomas Aquinas because of the transportation schedule. We want to have the best high school experience possible and that's not going to happen if we go to St. Thomas Aquinas." The final report of the boundary review committee is expected to be presented to the board on Feb. 5, while the final approval of the board concerning what options are chosen is anticipated to take place on Feb. 19. DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS WOMAN? NEITHER DO HER GRANDCHILDREN. ELDER YOU MAY NOT EVEN KNOW YOU'RE DOING IT. NEGLECT Put a Little Magic in Your Holidays Boxing Week Sale Wednesday December 27 - Saturday December 30 b CHRISTMAS & SELECTED ITEMS t 50% OFF 0 Gift Baskets Lampe Berger Flameless Candles Vintage Furniture · Home Decor & So much more.... Give your Home a Facelift in the New Year! 2008 DECORATING CLASSES Wednesdays January 16 - February 6 Thursdays February 14- March 6 Register Now! 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