NIAGARA
DSBN and Niagara Catholic Share Space Ahead of Move to Joint-Use Elementary School in Wainfleet

The District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) and Niagara Catholic District School Board (Niagara Catholic) have approved a plan to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of students and staff of St. Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School during the final stages of construction of the new joint-use school in Wainfleet.

To help support continued progress, the contractor has asked us to relocate in March so they can work on removing the existing St. Elizabeth school to finish all the parking, bus lanes and entrances required for the new facility. This inconvenience will pay off as staff will be able to prepare the school during the summer to welcome students from William E. Brown Public School, Winger Public School, and St. Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School. 

Niagara Catholic Facilities Services considered moving St. Elizabeth students to schools in Port Colborne or Welland. That would have meant longer travel times for some students. As partners in this joint-use school, DSBN staff offered to provide space at William E. Brown Public School for the 96 students and staff who attend St. Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School from the Monday following the March Break through the end of the school year.

This decision ensures the health and safety of St. Elizabeth's students and staff during the final stages of construction. It also means that St. Elizabeth students who ride the bus will have a similar ride to school every day.  

Key aspects of the agreement include:

• Niagara Catholic students will attend school in portables provided by the DSBN.
• Common areas, such as washrooms and the playground will be shared by both schools.

Principals of both schools are working out arrangements for shared after-school childcare and other needs. They will communicate information with families as decisions are made.