The happy sound of children’s voices filled the halls of the brand new Heron’s Crossing School on Reunion Blvd on Nov. 13, much to the delight of staff and school principal Suzanne Martin.
After many months of construction and temporary housing at the RVS Education Centre, students finally got the chance to roam the spacious halls of the K-4 school.
“Everyone has been very patient throughout this entire process,” said Martin. “While the school was being built, I would come out frequently to the construction site and peek over the wire fence and get emotional over the idea of this new school. It was a dream to get this school built and to finally be inside it now is just amazing.”
Though staff expected there to be a few hiccups during the transition process, Martin admitted that in fact things ran a lot smoother than she anticipated.
With the help of staff and volunteers the move, which took place on Nov. 8 and 9, was relatively quick and painless.
“We have had such great support from everyone,” Martin noted. “People have really pulled together and helped make this move easier. Our goal was to get the kids in here and we’ve done that. I’m very proud and very grateful.”
For students, the move came just in time. Though many admitted they were happy to be in the school simply because of its newness, a few suggested their happiness stemmed from the freedom they were now enjoying after the cramped quarters at the RVS Education Centre.
“It was so crowded there,” said one student. “It was really noisy too and I’m just happy to be in my own classroom.”
“For many, this is the first time they have been able to walk to school from their own homes,” added Martin. “That’s a big deal for many students and their families.”
In addition to regular school services, the school also offers before-and-after school care. The hours of the program are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on school days. Anyone interested in learning more about this is encouraged to call Lindsey at 403-828-8767.
“We are planning a big celebration on Nov. 30 for students,” said Martin. “It’s going to be a pep rally and will give students the chance to celebrate the new school as a community. It’s going to be a great event and we are very excited about the future of this school.”
