The new anglophone kindergarten-to-Grade 5 school opening on Fredericton's north side this fall will be named Cuffman Street Elementary School.
From left: Diane Kay, director of curriculum and instruction, Anglophone West School District; Gina Dunnett, director of schools, Anglophone West School District; David Burrell, future principal of Cuffman Street Elementary; Social Development Minister Jill Green; Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Bill Hogan; and Michael Mazerolle, district education councillor for sub-district 9.
"The name was one of approximately 275 suggestions submitted by local community members when a call for names was launched," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Bill Hogan. "Over a three-month period, a committee formed by school district representatives, local community members and the new school's principal met to ensure the name was representative of the community."
The committee reviewed the suggestions and respective rationales with various community groups, including those associated with Gibson-Neill Memorial Elementary School, which the future Cuffman Street students now attend.
"We are thrilled to announce the official name of Cuffman Street Elementary and are eagerly anticipating the school's opening in September to alleviate the overcrowding currently experienced at Gibson-Neill Memorial Elementary School," said Michael Mazerolle, who serves on the district education council for the Anglophone West School District. "We are optimistic that we will be able to address the overcrowding challenges at Devon Middle School in the near future."
The committee met in early February to organize the submissions. Later that month, it recommended three names to the district education council, which selected the final name and presented it to the minister for approval, as per the process outlined in Policy 409 - Multiyear school infrastructure planning.
"We are very excited to see the opening of a brand new elementary school, formally named today as Cuffman Street Elementary," said Anglophone West School District superintendent David McTimoney. "This new facility will serve as an educational setting that will be welcoming for students and families and where learning and student well-being will be a priority. We will be exploring ways to facilitate a positive learning and working environment where students and staff embrace being in the building and spending each day with their peers, teachers and colleagues. Staffing for the school is well underway and, despite the busy months ahead leading up to opening day, there is much excitement in the air."
The project began in 2021 with the purchase of land and design work.
The facility is expected to address overcrowding at neighbouring schools. It will accommodate 500 students and include a library space with learning stairs, a cafeteria with a stage that will be shared with the main gymnasium, music and performing arts rooms, multi-function rooms and an early learning room.
The total budget for the school is $35.5 million.
