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Arthur Pechey School going through a big transition

Apr 7, 2016 | 12:17 PM

Starting in the fall, Arthur Pechey School will offer French immersion programming, in cooperation with Ecole Vickers School.

School Principal Darlene Schultz said this will mean an extra 60 to 70 students in the fall for Kindergarten to Grade 4.

“We’re looking forward to a wonderful contingency of teachers coming from Ecole Vickers School, and we’re working hard to establish the program and get everything set up,” Schultz said.

The programming will be rolled out in two phases: K to Grade 4 for next year and Grades 5 to 7 the following year.

In order to make room for the extra students, the school division has requested four new portable classrooms. This request requires a bylaw change.

During their meeting Tuesday night, city council raised concerns with parking issues, and the potential impact on bus routes. 

They have requested a report from the planning department to assess what impact there would be on the staff and students, as well as the neighbouring community.

The report will be submitted at a future meeting.

“We are looking at our bus routes and our bus unloading zones and so that’s all in place right now with keeping in mind how we can do this in honour of the existing structure that we already have around our school,” Schultz said.

Schultz is assuring parents they are taking all concerns into consideration to make sure everything is safe for the students.

If approved by city council, construction would begin over the next several months with completion set for July, giving teachers a chance to get settled in.

 

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell