New French school needs a name
Community in Eastern P.E.I. has opportunity to come up with name for multi-use facility
The new French school and community centre being constructed in Rollo Bay needs a name.
A committee has been set up to gather suggestions from locals that reflect the francophone community of Eastern Prince Edward Island.
Marise Chapman, committee member and principal at Ecole La-Belle-Cloche in Fortune Bridge, is looking forward to getting into the new school, which is scheduled to open by the end of January-early February 2018.
For more than a decade, the community has been lobbying for a new school, and that dream is becoming a reality, Chapman said.
“It’s been a long process to get here, we’re pretty happy that we’re finally at that point (of naming the school),” she said at a public meeting in Fortune Bridge on Oct. 19.
“It’s been a long project, but every time we’re on site it looks more and more like a school and a community centre every day.”
With a budget of $8.2 million ($6 million provincial funding and $2.2 million federal funding), the new school/community centre will also have a daycare.
The building will be 44,000 square feet and will be able to house up to 150 students. The current enrolment at the existing French school, Ecole La-Belle-Cloche, is 94 students, 13 teachers and a support staff.
The names suggestions should take into consideration the location of the facility and the historical and cultural aspects of the area. It could also highlight the exceptional contribution of individuals.
Suggestions will be accepted until Nov. 2 and can be sent by email to school secretary Tina White at tmwhite@edu.pe.ca or dropped off at/mailed to Ecole La-Belle-Cloche, 95 Route 310, Fortune Bridge, P.E.I., C0A 2B0.