‘What a difference’

Principal at Stratford Elementary School says new addition has created a renewed energy among the student and teacher body

There is a new energy at Stratford Elementary School this year, says principal Janet Cameron.

A long-awaited $5 million addition to the school was completed this summer.

“It means a new start (for students and teachers),’’ Cameron said Thursday as students enjoyed their first day back. “It makes the energy now very nice, very healthy, very safe, and that’s definitely what we’re looking forward to.’’

The addition includes 13 regular classrooms, a music classroom, an activity room which is half the size of a school gym, four breakout rooms, an elevator and two guidance offices, as well as teacher planning rooms and more washrooms.

“It means more space where we can be creative in our new music room and our activity room. It just means more space. We’re feeling so good today as we watched the children come in and out of the school. They’re moving. It’s not like a jammed-in airport anymore. It’s lovely,’’ the principal said.

Based on parental input, the new addition includes two storeys, which takes up less green space and makes more room for the construction of a new natural playground, which is being led by the school community. The new play structures will be inclusive, accessible and available to the Stratford community.

Beginning this year, Stratford elementary will become a Grades 3-6 school. The 24,000-square foot addition will provide 50 per cent more space in the building.

Glen Stewart Primary School, located next door, will become a K-2 school. With 177 Grade 3 students moving over to the elementary school, there will be more space for students and staff at Glen Stewart where enrolment will decrease from 614 to 455 students.

There are 652 children enrolled in the elementary school this year.

Cameron added that it has even created more room to move in areas of the school that existed prior to the expansion.

“What a difference. It helps out with special needs children as well, sensory wise; mobility wise, it makes a big difference. We’re thrilled here; we’re pumped and as you can tell by the sound in the school . . . the energy . . . it’s a great place to go to school.’’

Education Minister Brad Trivers said teachers will now have more opportunity to collaborate and the new breakout rooms mean children can get more one-on-one support.

The elementary school opened in 2010.

A new 10-classroom addition at L.M. Montgomery School will be ready for students in October.

DAVE STEWART/THE GUARDIAN Janet Cameron, principal at Stratford Elementary School, says students finally have room to breathe and move thanks to the new $5 million addition completed over the summer. There are 652 students enroled at the school this year.

ALISON JENKINS/THE GUARDIAN George Jenkins Morrow, who takes the bus to Grade 1 at École François-Buote, is off to school for the first day of classes Thursday morning in Charlottetown. As the yellow bus stops, George hops over a puddle and joins his friends for a new year of lessons.