OCDSB reveals name of new school in Fernbank community
Posted Jun 21, 2022 08:39:09 PM.
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) announced on June 21 the name of the new elementary school in the Fernbank community in Stittsville.
The new school, which is scheduled to open for the 2022-2023 school year, will be known as Shingwaakon Public School.
Pronounced shing-wah-kon, the name, meaning “little pine,” comes from the Kitigan Zibi dialect of the Algonquin language. The school name is rooted in the belief that the pines in the Algonquin Territory are some of the strongest, straightest and tallest. Their branches are longer facing the east, welcoming each new day as a new beginning. They are a resource and can be used for sustenance. “Little” reflects the young learners who will be attending this school who will grow stronger as they learn and discover.
The name was chosen following consultation through the spring of 2022 with students, parents, staff and members of the Fernbank community which is located south of Highway 417 between Kanata and Stittsville. Additional input was provided from the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee along with an Algonquin Elder and Knowledge Keeper.
“I would like to thank everyone who took part in our journey to find a name for our new school,” said Todd Thompson, principal of Shingwaakon Public School. “Through this process, participants indicated a strong sense of support for an Algonquin name, an important step in work towards reconciliation. An Algonquin-named school will provide rich learning opportunities for students and the school community about the knowledge, history and culture of Indigenous people.”
The announcement was made on National Indigenous Peoples Day. Located at 480 Cope Drive, Shingwaakon Public School will offer dual track English and Early French Immersion programming for approximately 600 students from kindergarten through to grade 6.
Construction on the new school began in September 2021 and students who will attend the school are from communities presently served by John Young Elementary School, Stittsville Public School and Westwind Public School.
