Findlay Creek Community Association

Find out about the May 2012 FCCA Board meeting

FCCA — Sun, 20 May 2012 01:06:48 +0000

What has the FCCA been up to?

Check out the agenda and minutes from the last FCCA Board meeting held on May 7, 2012

Local splash pads opening TOMORROW for the 2012 season

FCCA — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:23:24 +0000

The splash pads at Butterfly Park and Turtle Park will open for the season starting on May 19, 2012 and generally operate between 9 am and 9 pm each day, all summer.

Findlay Creek’s Community Garage Sale: June 2

FCCA — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:10:37 +0000

Findlay Creek’s Community Garage
Saturday, June 2 – starts at 8:00 a.m.
Participate as long as you want

Give your stuff a new home!
Shop and find some treasures!

Jeff and Kathy McVeigh (Royal Lepage) will be going around the neighbourhood offering refreshments.

Update on future Catholic school in Findlay Creek

FCCA — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:59:32 +0000

As we fight for our English public elementary school, we get questioned about the future of other schools in the area. A local resident shared this information with us so we are passing it on to you. The Ottawa Catholic School Board does have a site reserved in Findlay Creek/Leitrim for a possible future school but there are not currently plans to build at that site in the near future.

Currently there are approximately 217 JK-6 elementary students residing in the Findlay Creek area attending Catholic Schools. Of those 217 JK-6 students, 185 are attending St. Thomas More Catholic Elementary School.

St. Thomas More was constructed in 1994 and has a Ministry Rated Capacity of 477. As of mid-September there were a total of 386 student bodies at the school resulting in a utilization factor of 81%. This school has never operated above 100% and there have never been any portables on site. As noted by the utilization factor, the school is currently able to accommodate the students from Findlay Creek with no overcrowding or the need for portables. When considering the need and priority of new schools, the Board must have regard to the viability and efficiency of existing schools. St. Thomas More could drop to under 50% utilization should students from Findlay Creek be redirected to a new school at this time.

When evaluating the need for new schools, the Ministry of Education also requires school boards to consider available space in existing schools within a 8 km radius of any proposed new school. Prior to receiving approval for a new school, the board must also show that the new school and all review area schools will have an 80% utilization for a 10 year period.

We recognize that the Findlay Creek area is a developing community that will ultimately house over 5,000 units. As such, Planning staff continue to monitor the growth of the community. However, at this time staff do not anticipate the requirement for a new school in this area within the 2011-2016 timeframe and the Ministry of Education is currently not considering any capital projects beyond this period.

Alison Baizana
Trustee
Zone 4, Barrhaven/Gloucester – South Nepean
Ottawa Catholic School Board

Online school petition not possible at this time

FCCA — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:23:43 +0000

Some of you have suggested that the FCCA have an online petition going in conjunction with the hardcopies.

We had thought of this, but the concensus was that online petitions don’t really have the same weight as traditional ones.

Setting an OP up can be a challenge, and still doesn’t guarantee the ROI that we’re looking for.

We just don’t have confidence in setting up an OP at this time, and respecting the tight timeline with the manpower that we have.

Petition and survey to support building school in Findlay Creek

FCCA — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:04:27 +0000

Considering all the questions/concerns the FCCA hears about the delay in building the English public school in Findlay Creek, the turnout to sign the petition and fill out the survey on Friday, May 11 at Fred Barrett Arena left much to be desired. We collected 30 signatures and less than 20 surveys.

We can’t fight the fight alone – remember, we are volunteering our time to work for you. Working with Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustee Mark Fisher, we will present survey and petition results at the next OCDSB meeting in mid-June.

The task at hand is HUGE. Surveying every household in the community and getting as many people to sign the petition as possible. We are encouraging parents/legal guardians to fill out the survey regardless of which schools the children in the household currently attend.

How can you help?

1. Download the survey, print it, fill it out and drop it off at 4064 Kelly Farm (box in front of door). While you’re there, fill out the petition.

2. Volunteer to canvas your street, surveys and petition in hand. Email schools@FindlayCreek.ca to get started.

3. Answer your door when volunteers come knocking.

We are aiming to complete canvassing the neighbourhood by the end of May.

Findlay Creek residents encouraged to be prepared for emergencies

FCCA — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:12:03 +0000

May 6 to 12 is Emergency Preparedness Week across Canada. The week encourages residents to become better prepared to face a range of emergency situations by knowing the risks, making a plan and having an emergency kit.

The City of Ottawa also helps residents be better prepared through the Are You Ready? program.

REMINDER: Help fight for the Findlay Creek school on Friday, May 11

FCCA — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:29:41 +0000

Following the OCDSB’s business service committee meeting on April 30, the request to build a new elementary school in Findlay Creek kept its spot on the OCDSB’s capital priority list (Read more). This was positive news, but there is still work to be done!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We are inviting parents, FCCA members and local school supporters to sign a petition and complete a survey so that we can get a more accurate picture of how many children will benefit from a school in Findlay Creek.

Show your support – fill out a survey and sign the petition!
Friday, May 11, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Fred Barrett Arena, Lions Hall
Mark Fisher, our OCDSB trustee, will be on hand to answer questions/address concerns
or
Answer the door when volunteers go door-to-door to connect with the people who couldn’t make it on May 11

We are also looking for volunteers to help canvas the neighbourhood.

For info, to volunteer to canvas or to ask a question, contact schools@FindlayCreek.ca

FCCA members can take mom out for Mother’s Day brunch and save!

FCCA — Sat, 05 May 2012 00:02:18 +0000

Amore Restaurant, one of the FCCA’s membership associates, is offering a Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 13 from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The menu includes: pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, roast chicken, roast beef, pasta, salads, potatoes, veggies, toast, fruit, dessert, coffee and tea. The regular cost is $14.95 for adults and $7.95 for kids but FCCA members benefit from 20% off!

Notice about Central Park in Findlay Creek

FCCA — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:35:13 +0000

You may have noticed that the construction of Central Park is well underway and the play structures are up now.

Please note that the park is closed to the public and considered a construction zone.

Please refrain from playing on any structure/installation, walking through the space and using the footbridge.