Make Room!
DSBN to Add Space for Learners
The DSBN will be building additions to schools in Thorold, and Niagara Falls with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Education. The investment will create 285 student spaces and 49 licensed childcare spaces. Work will take place at Richmond Street Public School in Thorold and Forestview Public School in Niagara Falls.
The DSBN also received funding to move the existing daycare at the Alternative Pathways Site at Caroline Street into Oakridge Public School. This will require the construction of a three-room addition to the Marsdale Avenue school. The addition will accommodate 49 licensed childcare spaces.
The Richmond Street addition will see the creation of three Kindergarten classrooms, and one K-8 classroom. Work is expected to begin in June 2018, and take approximately one year to complete. When finished, the new classrooms will accommodate 101 students. There are over 540 students at Richmond Street.
Work at Forestview will include six new classrooms, providing room for 184 students, and an expanded daycare with 49 new licensed child care spaces. Forestview currently serves over 700 students. Work will begin in June 2018, and take approximately one year to complete.
The expected cost of the three projects is approximately $8.5 million dollars.
Quotes:
“We appreciate the support from the Ontario Ministry. Investments in young people are among the best a government can make, and this money will create improved learning environments to give students the best start in life,” said Dale Robinson, Chair of the DSBN Board of Trustees.
“Staff put forward very strong business cases for these projects. These additions will assist us in serving our growing communities,” said Warren Hoshizaki, DSBN Director of Education.
“We are pleased to be able to add licensed child-care spaces on site at both Oakridge and Forestview. Being able to access care in the school building will assist in creating a seamless transition for our youngest learners into Kindergarten and set them up for future success,” said JoAnna Roberto, Superintendent of Curriculum and Student Achievement, K-8.
"Niagara region children's services is pleased that child care spaces in Niagara will increase for young children. This announcement will support plans to increase licensed quality child care spaces and is good news for families looking for services," said Darlene Edgar, Director of Children's Services for the Niagara Region.