New school won’t be bland, conventional
St. John Paul II School on track to open this fall
It may look like a jumble of construction from the outside right now, but make no mistake: École St. John Paul II School is on track to open this fall.
“Every corner of this building is going to represent the best of the best,” said principal Robert Dumanowski, who with vice-principal Terry Kennedy is working to get everything ready for that first day of school.
While Dumanowski has been an educator for many years, this is the first time he’s had the chance to open a new school.
“In many cases this has proven to be very unique and very different (process) than what I initially thought,” he said. It has required them to be nimble and flexible in priorities as they make the decisions for everything that will be going into and personalizing the building.
“That’s a pretty awesome responsibility. We’re so excited to see it almost to fruition.”
There’s already a sense of ownership to the school, said Kennedy.
“This feels like our home,” he said, “and there’s a sense of awe — of ‘I had a small part in all that.’ ”
Once the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education takes possession of the building, there will be open houses and opportunities for the public to see the facility, Dumanowksi said.
“We don’t want any aspect of this building to be bland or seen as conventional,” he said, and they’re aiming to make the school a model for others in the city and province.
As part of this process, they’ve visited other schools in Alberta.
“Our goal is to take all the best practices and bring them all together,” Dumanowski said. “It’s all very intentional.”
For example: Every student is unique in how they learn.
“Our vision here is we’re going to equip every classroom to meet the needs of every student,” said Dumanowski. “Every room complements all learning styles.”
This means every room will be set up so a child can work on their own, in groups, standing desks, or whatever is best for them.
There will be a “just-right” sensory room, Dumanowski explained, as there are a lot of kids who have a need for a calming environment.
Classrooms are designed so they can be opened up and students can spill into a large learning commons area where the library is also located.
The newest and best technology will also be installed at the school, said Dumanowski — while there will also be an emphasis on incorporating “maker movement” in programming, which focuses on hands-on learning for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This includes plans for a “green-screen” room, while robotics and coding programs will also be available.
The playground will be predominantly accessible, said Dumanowski, with pour-in-place “rubberized” surface, while there will be an outdoor rink during the winter months, and basketball and recreation during the rest of the school year.
The furniture design itself will be modern, ergonomic and not traditional, he said — they’re looking at it through the lens of a child, and how excited they will be to attend the new school.
“Because really, that’s who this is for,” he said.
The spirit of St. Thomas
In January, the MHCBE voted to close St. Thomas D’Aquin School, and move the French immersion program to the new school.
“We’re definitely going to bring memories,” said Kennedy, who is currently principal there.
“Bits and pieces” of the old school will be brought over, he said, but not larger items like furniture.
The statue of St. Thomas will be brought with them.
“We’ll find an appropriate place where it will be housed,” said Dumanowski, explaining that the goal is for a fresh start with the school, with staff and students brought all together.