With the school year approaching this week, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Education is looking forward to several new initiatives in the Island school system.
The department has purchased 51 new school buses, has invested in some school resources for students and teachers and has taken on new school construction in Montague, Stratford and Rustico.
"These investments will pay off as we strengthen the public school system for our one Island community," Education Minister Doug Currie said.
The upcoming school year will be historic as kindergarten is officially welcomed into the school system. With the influx of new students, additional classrooms and teachers were required to meet the needs of students. Renovations to accommodate kindergarten students are now complete at Westwood Primary School, West Royalty Elementary School, L.M. Montgomery Elementary School and Sherwood Elementary School.
The first day of school for students in grades 1 - 12 is Tuesday. Children in kindergarten will begin class on Thursday. In order to ensure the safety of all students, there will be two start days. This approach will allow schools to prepare for the influx of kindergarten students. Younger children will be able to enter the school system after older children have settled into their classrooms for two days.
“Staff at the department, school boards and schools across the province have been working very hard to ensure everything is ready for the first day of school,” said Currie. “I would like to thank everyone for their dedication and wish all teachers, educators, school staff and families a safe and successful year of learning.”
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is also encouraging businesses and employers to allow for flexible hours on these two days if parents would like to accompany their young children to school on the first day.
“The first day of school is a special time for families,” said Currie. “It’s important to make sure your children are settled in on the first morning of class. As Minister responsible for Education and Early Childhood Development, I would like to extend best wishes to all students, parents, teachers and the entire school family as we prepare for another exciting year of learning in Prince Edward Island.”
For more information, visit the Department of Education’s website at www.gov.pe.ca/eecd.
