UPDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING OUR "MOVE INTRODUCTION"

Dear Parents:

As many of you are aware, TRS is considering moving the Elementary program (and perhaps, in time, the entire school) to a new campus. Understandably, families will have many questions. TRS and the TPA have begun working together in order to facilitate the flow of information between the school and families around this issue. To this end, we have prepared the page below.

We begin with a brief explanation of the rationale for considering a school move, and an account of how the most likely site, Peralta Oaks, was chosen.


This background is followed by a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs). Some of these questions cannot yet be answered completely. We will continually update the information as it becomes available, and will add questions and answers as they are submitted. Please do submit your questions to Maina (which can be done through the link provided in this page).

We hope that families will refer to this site periodically for answers to their questions.

Rationale for considering a move to a new campus

A brief history of the Renaissance School:

Eighteen years ago, TRS started on Dimond Avenue with just the house that now contains Primary 1. This was followed by the addition of the P2 house and the elementary building, and then a small duplex where the P3/P4 building is now. Plans were made to replace the current elementary building. But by the time that the renovation of the P3/P4 building was complete, the school’s growing needs made the plans obsolete. In fact, at an estimated $2.5-3 million dollars, the new building still would not have had enough space. Furthermore, parking and traffic problems would increase to critical levels with increases in the student body.

In short, despite the desire to remain at the Dimond Avenue campus, limitations of space as well as parking and traffic considerations significantly restrict the school’s ability to continue the trajectory of its current growth.

Additional Dimond area properties have been investigated. Unfortunately, current codes essentially require buildings to be torn down and replaced. This makes it very expensive to convert/replace existing homes.Therefore, Leslie initiated a search for potential new sites for TRS. TRS remains committed to Oakland. Leslie and TRS are connected to the area, and the city of Oakland shares many of the values of school.

The Search

Leslie and Rosario, and now Jonathan, have visited locations in Oakland, Emeryville, South Berkeley, Alameda and San Leandro, although their strong preference is to remain within 5-7 miles of the current location. Several potential locations were identified, although all would require significant renovation to meet the specific needs of the program.

Peralta Oaks

At present the location with the greatest potential is Peralta Oaks, between the Oakland Zoo and Dunsmuir House. It is directly off the 580 freeway, just over 5 miles from the current campus. There is a regional park behind the building, which is located at the end of the street. The layout of the building includes the potential for large play areas, separate from other areas, and enables multiple age groups naturally. The building has four stories: three levels of indoor space, one indoor garage. Outdoor space lends itself to creating sports fields, playgrounds, or gardens. There are large terraces, and there is ample natural lighting. In fact, each classroom could have its own outdoor space. The full building has 57,000 square feet total, and the grounds cover 4 acres. Furthermore, the building has recently been retrofitted and upgraded to meet the strictest current codes, including seismic. There is ample parking and traffic flow is not limited as the street is occupied by only four buildings: the East Bay Regional Parks headquarters, a county office building that is not currently occupied, the Dunsmuir House, and the potential TRS building.

Moving and remodeling

TRS would lease part of the building, just the top floor initially. It would be completely secured from other floors. There is full secure access to the outside from that floor. The top floor is 22,000 square feet, which is sufficient to house: the elementary/ middle school programs, art studio(s), the music program in 3-4 areas, and music studios for instrumental lessons.

Questions and Answers

LAST UPDATED: June 7, 2010

Dear Parents:  As you likely know, TRS has been considering a move to a new campus.  In May, the rationale for such a move was outlined.  At that time, a final decision was pending the outcome of the reenrollment process.  Now that the reenrollment process has come to an end, it is clear that a move in September 2010 is not possible.  We expect that families may have a number of questions or concerns.  Below are questions that have been raised by families, with the most complete answers that can be given at this time.  Please send additional questions to TRS (via Maina Howard) so that they can be answered and added to list, which will be updated periodically.

Questions and Answers

Has a final decision been made regarding a move to the Peralta Oaks location?

A:  We have decided that we will not move in Fall 2010.

What are the reasons that the school will not move in September 2010?

A: A statement was made that we would need a total enrollment between 200-225 students, in order for a Fall 2010 move to make sense. At present, we do not have the minimum enrollment number stated.

Will a school move be considered in the future?

A: We will absolutely continue to monitor our enrollment numbers going forward in consideration of a possible future move.

If a school move is considered in the future, will sites other than Peralta Oaks be evaluated?

A: At present, Peralta Oaks remains our top choice, but we are of course not closed to other possibilities that meet our requirements.

Limitations of classroom space on the current campus were identified as a primary reason for considering a new campus.  Given that the campus will not move this year, how will these issues be addressed?

A: We are in the process of making plans to enhance the Upper Elementary space in particular, to accommodate additional students.

Will the timing of transitions from the Primary to Elementary programs be affected by the decision to stay on the current campus?

A: As we have said previously, transitions will continue to happen at the appropriate time(s). Our remaining on the current campus will not affect transition timing.

Traffic congestion and parking limitations were also cited as key issues in the consideration of a move to a new campus.  How will TRS address these issues in light of the decision to remain at the current campus?

A: We will continue to do the absolute best that we can to respect our neighbors here on Dimond Avenue. We will continue to have the parking assistants here at peak hours in our continues attempt to mitigate parking and traffic issues. We will not be operating with a higher number of students than we have up to now, so we should be fine.

An increase in outdoor space was an additional potential benefit of a new campus.  What are the possible solutions with respect to outdoor activities and space if the school remains at the current campus for the foreseeable future?

A: We will continue to have the outdoor space that we have, but we are also working with The Parents Association to determine how we might enhance the Elementary play yard, in particular.

Assuming that new campuses will be considered in the future, is there a role for members of the community helping TRS identify potential sites? And, if so, what would be the most productive way to participate/contribute?

A:We have always been and continue to be extremely appreciative of sites that parents have identified and have passed on to us for consideration. As we have previously stated, we want to stay within a five to seven mile radius from our current Dimond location. We would like to stay in Oakland or would consider Emeryville or the Oakland side of Berkeley – near Rockridge.