Acadian and francophone students in Clare will begin the school year in a new home when École Baie Sainte-Marie opens its doors on Friday, September 4.
École Baie Sainte-Marie in Saulnierville (Province of Nova Scotia)
The new Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) school in Saulnierville will welcome students from pre-primary to Grade 6. The school brings together the students, families and staff of École Joseph-Dugas and École Stella-Maris in the new, modern learning environment.
"This is an exciting new chapter for French-language education in the Clare region," said Ryan Robicheau, MLA for Clare, on behalf of Brendan Maguire, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. "École Baie Sainte-Marie is more than a new building - it is a place that brings our community together and supports the future of French-language education in Clare. Generations of students have learned at Joseph-Dugas, Stella-Maris, Saint Albert, and Jean-Marie Gay and now we have a new school where the next generation will learn, build friendships and celebrate their Acadian identity and culture."
The school also includes a child-care centre and community centre, made possible through federal funding.
This fall, an official opening event will be held at École Baie Sainte-Marie to celebrate the new school and the students, families, staff and community members who helped make the project possible.
Quotes:
"French is at the heart of what defines us as Canadians. In a rapidly changing world, we must continue to protect our language and culture, and empower young people to keep them alive for future generations. École Baie Sainte-Marie will offer Acadian students a modern and inclusive environment to grow, learn and thrive in French. Through our Action Plan for Official Languages, we are proud to support projects that help protect and promote French in Nova Scotia."
Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages
"The opening of École Baie Sainte-Marie is an important moment for the CSAP and, most importantly, for the students and families we serve. A modern school designed to meet the needs of today's learners creates new opportunities for students to thrive in French, both academically and personally. We are proud to see this project become a reality and excited for everything that will take shape within these walls in the years ahead."
Diane Racette, présidente, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial
Quick Facts:
- the school year for most students in the province begins Thursday, September 3, but school staff at École Baie Sainte-Marie have an extra day to set up classrooms and familiarize themselves with the new facility
- Nova Scotia's multi-year school capital plan, with more than $1 billion in work, includes building new schools and investing in current schools
- 16 new or replacement schools are currently advancing through the school capital process
- École Stella-Maris was built in Meteghan in 1965, and École Joseph-Dugas was built in Church Point in 1974; the new consolidated school was announced in 2018
- École Saint Albert in Rivière aux Saumons and École Jean-Marie Gay in Saulnierville closed several years ago; the École Jean-Marie Gay site is now the site of École Baie Sainte-Marie
Additional Resources:
- Nova Scotia School Capital Plan: https://www.ednet.ns.ca/capitalplan
- Conseil scolaire acadien provincial capital projects: https://csap.ca/content_page/projets-de-construction
- École Baie Sainte-Marie: https://ebsm.ednet.ns.ca/
