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Alex Noudelman Seeks to Find Permanent Solution to Aurora’s French Immersion Crunch
As Aurora’s population is expected to grow significantly in just a few short years, Alex Noudelman, trustee candidate for the York Region District School Board, is focused on making sure there will be enough French Immersion spots to go around when new families arrive and grow in Aurora.
The 28-year-old King Resident – an educator himself – looked on as the situation became particularly taxed just a few short years ago. Many parents in Aurora were unhappy with the lottery system devised by the Board (YRDSB) to slot students into French immersion spots at Lester B. Pearson Public School, or split amongst other schools like Devin’s Drive Public School.
“A few years ago, YRDSB developed an unpopular lottery system to deal with the growing student population at Lester B. Pearson P.S.,” he says. “The system determined which students would go to Lester B. Pearson P.S. and which ones would be enrolled in the overflow site, Devins Drive P.S. Last year, YRDSB created a dual track primary program at Devins Drive P.S. and Aurora Grove P.S. Currently students in Grades 1 and 2, living west of Yonge St., are enrolled at Devins Drive P.S., while those that are living east of Yonge St. are now attending Aurora Grove P.S.”
Having been in the education system since 2000, Alex Noudelman has worked in a variety of capacities and grades, with a particular interest in working with special needs students, an interest which was sparked in him while mentoring students in after school programs.
“I am a strong advocate for students with special needs,” he explains. “A former colleague’s son was diagnosed with severe Autism. I was part of the intervention team that helped him transition from home schooling to the mainstream classroom in one of YRDSB’s elementary schools. The success that we have had in educating the student has inspired me to become an advocate for students with Autism and other exceptionalities.”
In this regard, Mr. Noudelman is not necessarily focused on the 3Rs, although he feels they are important. Dramatic arts too are a very important component of education, particularly as these subjects “teach students to have empathy and [provide] character education that courses like math and science might not be able to teach.” Resources, therefore, are particularly important, he says – not only in materials but also in facilitators.
One local resource which is worth a second look is the future of George Street Public School, adds Mr. Noudelman. With the school set to close and its students enveloped into Aurora Senior Public School due to declining enrollment and limited spacing, Mr. Noudelman urges the Board to consider all options before putting the land up for sale.
“I would like to see them utilize the space and I would be working very closely with community leaders and the board in order to find ways to utilize the building without selling the property,” he says. “This is one of my top 3 objectives should I be elected. We are a growing town and I believe every space counts.”
As the October 27 poll approaches, Alex Noudelman counts his experience as one of his biggest assets during the campaign, but says his youth could be an interesting factor.
“Being young is a challenge as well as an asset,” he says. “The challenge is that there could be someone who has more leadership and trustee experience. However I feel that my assets out weight my challenges because my assets are ageless. I assure my constituents I will never hinder my vision, my ability to represent them, and my commitment to making a difference in our children’s education. I am not leaving the education system any time soon. I plan to stay here for decades to come.”
