Updated timeline for opening c̓əsqənelə Elementary: September 25, 2019

Dear families,

I am writing to let you know that the opening of c̓əsqənelə Elementary will be delayed until September 25, 2019, and to share with you the details of our short-term contingency plan.

Although the final phase of construction at the school is nearing completion as scheduled, the testing of the building’s mechanical systems will require an additional three weeks to complete. In the interest of student and staff safety, it is important that this testing be completed before the facility officially opens.

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you our short-term contingency plan. Our goal in designing this plan was to ensure we meet the learning needs of all students while minimizing disruption for families.

 

Contingency Plan for September 3 to September 20, 2019

c̓əsqənelə students will begin the 2019/20 school year with their classmates and teacher(s) at the following nearby East Zone schools:

• Primary students (Grades 1-3) at Webster’s Corners Elementary
• Intermediate students (Grades 4-7) at Albion Elementary
• Kindergarten students at Blue Mountain Elementary (Ms. Friesen, Mrs. Fisher, Ms. Charbonneau) or Kanaka Elementary (Ms. Tones, Mrs. Woo), depending on their assigned teacher

During this three week period, the school district will provide free bussing services between Albion and Webster’s Corners for families who live in the Albion area or who have children at two of the alternate sites. If you require these bussing services, please contact Tara McKay at tara_mckay@sd42.ca to request a complimentary bussing application form.

We will also be providing a “soft start” during this transitional period, allowing parents/guardians to drop their children off at their host school(s) starting at 8:15 am. The schools will be open for students and c̓əsqənelə staff will be on site to provide supervision.

Monday, September 23 is a district-wide non-instructional day. The school district is adding September 24 as a transition day for c̓əsqənelə elementary to allow staff to set up classrooms. The first day for students at c̓əsqənelə elementary will therefore be Wednesday, September 25, 2019.

Finally, please keep in mind that even once our school opens, construction on the adjacent Albion Community Centre site will continue as the City of Maple Ridge works to build its community centre. The community centre is scheduled to open late 2020.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. We have already created an active school community during our special events and PAC meetings, and I look forward to celebrating the school opening with all of you.

I will provide additional updates regarding additional school start up details over the next two weeks as they are finalized. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact the school at cqe_reception@sd42.ca.

Mr. Wheatley,

Principal – c̓əsqənelə Elementary School