Lakefield District Public School opens Monday
LAKEFIELD -- Public elementary students in the surrounding Lakefield area will be starting the new year in a new school.
Lakefield District Public School (LDPS) opens Monday, housing students from junior kindergarten to Grade 8.
The new school took over the former Lakefield District Secondary School (LDSS) building. The high school closed in June 2016, sending most students to Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School.
Renovations started shortly afterwards to revamp it into an elementary school space.
Ridpath Public School, which ran from junior kindergarten to Grade 6, was getting a bit tight for its roughly 400 students.
“It was pretty snug,” said Penny Hope, principal of Ridpath who is continuing as principal at LDPS. “We were pretty full, so it was really nice to have an opportunity to come to a larger site.”
Shortly after the public school board made the decision to close LDSS, they decided to demolish its intermediate wing. The board looked at renting it out, but no one fit the bill.
Students in Grades 7 and 8 in the intermediate wing of the high school remained on site until June 2017. The demolition took place over the summer, creating ample room for buses and drop off as well as additional parking.
This school year’s intermediate batch moved into Ridpath in September. LDPS was slated to open in September but renovations ran behind schedule. Ridpath’s name was retired in September, too, with LDPS coming into effect.
On Monday, all 550 elementary students will move into their new space.
The transition comes after much controversy about the school changes throughout the last two years. Many community members weren’t happy to see the high school close.
But Hope has seen a renewed positivity in the Lakefield area. She’s entering her sixth year as the village’s elementary school principal.
The buzz from the students about their new school had them nearly vibrating during their last week before Christmas break, she said.
And parents, guardians and community members are eager to take a peek at the new space.
“For me, that positive energy is such a big deal because it was really tough on this community for the changes on the site – it’s really, really nice to see how positive everyone is.”
LDPS promotes inclusivity through its colourful paint pallet. The colours represent the various hues of the pride flag, Hope said.
“We wanted to have those colours so that we include everyone here in our building.”
Learning nooks line the main hallway, offering students a place to sit and read a book or use their tablet.
Unique furniture in the classrooms allows students to configure desks in different ways, making group tasks a breeze.
“It will feel like an ongoing conference, where kids are working together and learning together.”
And the new library and commons area is top notch, Hope said. It’s large and colourful with updated technology, a maker’s space for creations, a media corner, and two seminar rooms.
“We have what’s going to be the most amazing learning commons library area of any elementary school.”
With a new name and new space comes a new mascot. Ridpath Tigers was put to bed and Lakefield Wolves was born.
Students were asked for input on what they’d like their new mascot to be and what colours they’d like to see with it.
The wolf won 70 per cent of the vote. Dark blue, light blue and white are the new school’s colours. The logo is still in the works.
To help with the transition to LDPS, support staff will be directing traffic flow to ensure everyone knows where to go. There will also be school maps available to give the lay of the land. And staff will be in place to help students walk safely across the McDonald’s parking lot year round.
LDPS plans to hold an open house later this month, but a date hasn’t been confirmed. An official opening ceremony will happen in the spring.
In the meantime, Hope asks that parents, guardians and community members wait for the open house to tour the school to give kids a chance to settle in first.
As the final touches are put in place at LDPS this week, its principal is eagerly awaiting her students’ arrival.
“I’m really excited to see those first looks on their faces.”