North Stormont Public School student consolidation on track for September
Posted Jan 15, 2021 02:17:00 AM.
Three years following the decision to consolidate North Stormont Public School and Roxmore Public School, the Upper Canada District School Board confirms that construction is underway to expand Roxmore to accommodate the incoming load of new students.
According to an announcement sent out to students on Wednesday written by acting school principal Frank Hummell, the addition to the school will see the addition of six classrooms and a childcare space that will be able to accommodate infants and kids up to the age of 12.
“Construction is on track and the consolidation of the two schools is anticipated for the beginning of the September 2021 school year,” Hummell said in the announcement. “As such, the principals from the both schools, supported by the Family of Schools Superintendent, will be forming a Transition Committee to assist in the consolidation of the two schools.”
In March 2017, the Board of Trustees of the Upper Canada District School Board decided that North Stormont Public School would close and its student population would consolidate with Roxmore Public School “at a future date.”
With the letter posted to Facebook, feedback from parents has been coming in, many with questions and expressing unhappiness.
“I'm wondering why the school board isn't using this addition as a way to keep the current students of Roxmore Public safe?” Laura Stevens commented on the school’s Facebook page. “I'm sure the staff and students of Roxmore will welcome the extra classrooms to better socially distance, rather than fill it to capacity right off the bat?”
“Honestly, I'm dreading having to start my kiddo all over again at a brand new school all while in the middle of a pandemic,” Candice Ross replied. “He JUST started to get really comfortable at NSPS and actually enjoyed going to school for the first time. The poor kids have had enough adjusting this year to do as it is! I'm refusing to send mine to Roxmore and will switch school boards if I have to.”
More information, Hummell says, will be available throughout January.
“We will communicate regularly through the transition process,” he said.