THUNDER BAY — This will be the first year for new students and staff at École publique de Thunder Bay.
As the only all-French school from Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord board in the city, they've been working hard at updating the school and enroling students.
The new principal, Oye-Sem Won, is excited for the doors to open to students next week while construction crews are finishing up some of the renovations that have taken place at the former Edgewater Park Public School.
The building has undergone a number of upgrades, including a new transformer that was installed over the summer, a new HVAC system with HEPA filters, a leaky-prone roof on the lower level has been mended, and one of the building's biggest upgrades of an elevator by the main office to ensure accessibility for all.
"The bones of the building are great," Won said, noting that the empty school needed to have everything ordered for students and staff, from chairs, trash cans, and smartboards, and even all the gym equipment had to be purchased or updated.
This poses a unique opportunity for the new school to buy equipment that will benefit those using it. This school board favours vertical learning, and Won boasts that she's been able to invest in "writable" desks for students. They would have similar surfaces like whiteboards but for individual students' desks in lieu of a traditional seating arrangement.
The new principal indicated that all the new staff, with the exception of custodians, are coming in from out of town and are trying to find housing.
Won said expanding outdoor learning is on her wishlist for the school.
"I definitely want an outdoor learning space," she said. "Something with a roof with one wall where we have blackboards, some kind of log-like seating area where the kids and teachers could go outside and do some learning and exploring outside."
"We have lots of potential in that schoolyard for future projects, as like hydroponic gardens inside where the students can then transfer to an outdoor garden."
As for enrolment, there are 20 students expected for the first year. That might seem small compared to other schools, but the board expects it to grow over the next decade.
Won called the enrollment numbers normal.
"For starting a new school and a new school board in the city, I think we're very excited about the numbers that we've had, and there's been a slow increase in the last few weeks."
Renovations and upgrades to classrooms and such have only taken place on the second floor, as that is all that is needed for the time being. The first floor will remain as-is until enrolment increases.
"We're very confident that the numbers will grow every year and, we're excited to welcome new Francophone families," Won said. "Whether they're anglophone and going to immersion or Francophone or families wanting to add French into the repertoire at a younger age, we're happy to welcome all the families."
More details about the school and its board can be found here.
