Starting this fall, Grade 6 students attending public school in Carman will have classes in a different school. The Prairie Rose School Division Board of Trustees has decided to shift the programming from Carman Elementary School to Carman Collegiate.

Superintendent, Terry Osiowy, explained booming enrolment at Carman Elementary is one of the reasons for the move. He noted the school saw between 20 and 25 more students this year than what was originally projected.

"Our population is climbing in that particular school again, and so we're looking at trying to manage class sizes so that they're anywhere between eighteen and twenty-three students," he said.

Osiowy added that continued programming needs at Carman Elementary also prompted the change. He was quick to note however, that these requirements do not include plans already underway to bring French Immersion programming to the school in September 2018.

On the other hand, Osiowy said Carman Collegiate has more than enough room to accommodate this extra grade. The school is already home to Grades 7 and 8 and Osiowy views this as an opportunity to establish a fresh look for the middle-years program at Carman Collegiate.

"We're going to start meeting with the administration of the two buildings and we're going to hopefully have a process where we include our literacy leader, our numeracy leader, councillors and resource teachers with input from classroom teachers and administration, and take a look at what kind of middle years learning environment we want to create."

This change will transform Carman Collegiate into a Grade 6 to 12 school and Osiowy fully expects the move will draw some concern from parents.

"There will be some concern and I understand that because it's a change," he said. "That's why we have to make sure that...we hear those concerns and we try to put in those supports to make sure they don't become a problem."

A parent information meeting is planned to provide parents/guardians with an opportunity to share their thoughts about middle years' programming priorities at Carman Collegiate. It's scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on February 21, 2018, at Carman Collegiate.