SOURIS — Construction workers must have been feeling their power recently after students in the hallways here were giving them a flurry of thumbs up.
The workers have pretty well packed up and gone now, but the students are in for the long and welcome educational experience with a new $20 million plus regional school.
“Our new school is pretty sweet,’’ said Drew Chapman handing out programs at the main doors for the ceremony. “I really like the gym and the room and space.”
The gestation period was long and painful, but the days of dealing with construction and noise is almost over as the official day marked the opening of the K12 integrated facility. The construction rebuild required more than a year as the consolidated school was torn down and the former high school almost tripled in size.
As they filed into the gym, students were buzzing with excitement like Jack-Lina Kearney. Asked how she liked about the new school?
“I like math because it’s like doing numbers and doing two plus two is four and six plus six is twelve and it’s easy for us,” she said in one breath. “But we are really having fun at our school.”
After guests arrived and took their seats, the elementary school choir under the direction of music teacher Lisa MacDonald sang with great zeal a song called “Home”, written by an American Idol winner Phillip Phillips.
“We’re here to celebrate the reality of this fine place,’’ said Premier Robert Ghiz in one of last official functions. “I can remember a number of years ago meeting with leaders, teachers and parents and they were talking about a super school where all students could go and enjoy first class offerings.”
And instead of the traditional ribbon cutting event, Transportation Minister Rob Vessey presented a gold key to the principal Sharon MacIntosh.
“Thanks to everyone who made this possible for our community and our children….. because they deserve this,’’ she said.
The construction of Souris Regional School began in the spring of 2013. The K-12 school is 128,000 square feet. Among its many features, the school has a new K-6 academic wing, a culinary teaching area, enhanced IT and trades spaces, two gymnasiums and three playgrounds. Final site work will be completed by March.
“Students have told me how much they love their new school, and I’ve heard that the student body is starting to feel like a big family,” said Minister Alan McIsaac.
SOURIS — Construction workers must have been feeling their power recently after students in the hallways here were giving them a flurry of thumbs up.
The workers have pretty well packed up and gone now, but the students are in for the long and welcome educational experience with a new $20 million plus regional school.
“Our new school is pretty sweet,’’ said Drew Chapman handing out programs at the main doors for the ceremony. “I really like the gym and the room and space.”
The gestation period was long and painful, but the days of dealing with construction and noise is almost over as the official day marked the opening of the K12 integrated facility. The construction rebuild required more than a year as the consolidated school was torn down and the former high school almost tripled in size.
As they filed into the gym, students were buzzing with excitement like Jack-Lina Kearney. Asked how she liked about the new school?
“I like math because it’s like doing numbers and doing two plus two is four and six plus six is twelve and it’s easy for us,” she said in one breath. “But we are really having fun at our school.”
After guests arrived and took their seats, the elementary school choir under the direction of music teacher Lisa MacDonald sang with great zeal a song called “Home”, written by an American Idol winner Phillip Phillips.
“We’re here to celebrate the reality of this fine place,’’ said Premier Robert Ghiz in one of last official functions. “I can remember a number of years ago meeting with leaders, teachers and parents and they were talking about a super school where all students could go and enjoy first class offerings.”
And instead of the traditional ribbon cutting event, Transportation Minister Rob Vessey presented a gold key to the principal Sharon MacIntosh.
“Thanks to everyone who made this possible for our community and our children….. because they deserve this,’’ she said.
The construction of Souris Regional School began in the spring of 2013. The K-12 school is 128,000 square feet. Among its many features, the school has a new K-6 academic wing, a culinary teaching area, enhanced IT and trades spaces, two gymnasiums and three playgrounds. Final site work will be completed by March.
“Students have told me how much they love their new school, and I’ve heard that the student body is starting to feel like a big family,” said Minister Alan McIsaac.
