Students, staff & community members gathered on Thursday for a chance to check out Kemptville’s newest building, Kemptville Public School.
The school, which sits on traditional Algonquin Grounds is over 44, 000 sq/ft and was constructed with $13.3 million in funding from the Ontario Ministry of Education. It is stocked and ready to teach, entertain and nurture students within the UCDSB.
The main entrance opens in to a large Open Learning Commons with a stage and comfortable-looking study areas, the classrooms are as modern as can be with digital interactive displays and nested learning spaces and outside there are 20 acres of green space which include sports fields & a play structure.
The site was scheduled to open in January of 2018 but thanks to the community’s efforts the school was able to take children in from day one of the 2017/18 year. Principal Tracy Staples tells us, the students and staff were very happy to start the year at their new home;
The Grand Opening ceremonies included the singing of ‘Oh Canada’, a traditional welcoming from Indigenous Representative Judy Montgomery, performances by the students & speeches from Mayor David Gordon, MPP Steve Clark, UCDSB Trustee Lisa Swan, Director of Education Stephen Sliwa & UCDSB Chair Jeff MacMillan.
After the ribbon had been cut, snacks & drinks were served as students led attendees around the new building on guided tours.
