Skip to content

Gibsons Elementary construction delayed

SD46 Briefs

 

If there’s one benefit to the delayed start of the school year, it’s that Gibsons Elementary School gets more time to be built.

The new elementary school was meant to be open by Sept. 2 but completion is still a week away.

“We’re looking at next week for occupancy,” secretary treasurer Nicholas Weswick said at the Sept. 9 school board meeting.

“The elevator I think is being inspected tomorrow [Sept. 10] and then we’re looking at safety systems like sprinklers and things getting the final seal of approval. So that’s what I know.”

He noted School District No. 46 (SD46) staff would be meeting with the contractor on Sept. 10 to learn more.

After the new school is opened the demolition of the old Gibsons Elementary School will take place.

It’s expected that the landscaping and parking will be completed at the site throughout the fall.

“It’s going to be such a beautiful school when it’s fully open and fully set,” superintendent of schools Patrick Bocking noted.

“The feeling you get, even though it isn’t quite finished yet, is the warmth of the wood, the light, the space, the way it’s set on the site. It’s just going to be such a beautiful learning environment for kids”

Transition coordinator

SD46 has hired David Barnum as a new coordinator of transitions. His job will be to help address transition issues, particularly between elementary and secondary school as well as support the Learning Together program and implementation of the new B.C. curriculum.

“He’ll be working with secondary principals and vice principals to talk to them about what they see as important,” Bocking said.

“I’ll be asking  him to provide a report to me in the next couple of months so that once he’s collected a lot of information on what people are feeling, we can move as a District.”

Summer August

School board trustee Lori Dixon thanked the board for their support of Sechelt Nation members while they grieved the loss of 18-year-old Summer August last week.

“Our community has noticed and felt supported by SD46 in the passing of Summer,” Dixon said.

“It is still difficult but I just wanted to let you know as a board that our school district was very much appreciated at that time.”