Lennox Island school opening delayed

Staff busy unpacking as renovations continue

The school year is already underway for staff of John J. Sark Memorial Elementary School on Lennox Island, but students who attend classes there are getting a slightly extended summer vacation. The start of their school year has been delayed until Monday, so that staff can finish up unpacking and rearranging following a summer of renovations. School principal Barbara Smith said teaching space is being moved to the rear of the building while renovations continue near the main entrance. As such, when classes commence on Monday, students will enter the building through the side door adjacent to the playground. Renovations are allowing for a K4 classroom for four-year-old kindergarten children who previously had been housed out of the Lennox Island Daycare. In addition to upgrades throughout the building, the school is also gaining a dual-purpose space which will be used as a cafeteria on a regular basis, but will also serve as an emergency shelter on an as-needed basis. Public Safety Canada is funding the provision of the emergency shelter and Indigenous Services Canada is providing funding for the classroom expansion and other upgrades. Construction and renovation work will continue into the school year, but is expected to be wrapped up by the time students return from their Christmas break. Smith said classroom supplies that had been packed away at the end of the school year are being unpacked this week and some of the classroom space relocated in preparation for classes commencing next week.