The Honourable Joe Ceci, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, joined a full house of grateful parents, students and staff at the grand opening of Beacon Hill Elementary School in Sylvan Lake.
"I want to applaud Chinook's Edge School Division for its vision and for putting students first with this school project," said Minister Ceci. "This new elementary school provides space for 500 students to learn close to home. It is state-of-the-art and a wonderful place for students to study and for teachers to teach. Like all new schools, it uses natural light to create bright, open spaces and includes collaborative areas where students can learn and work together, and where staff can collaborate to support student success."
Beacon Hill joins existing Chinook's Edge elementary schools C.P. Blakely and École Steffie Woima in providing programming for students in Kindergarten to Grade 5, with Steffie Woima also offering Pre-Kindergarten. The new school is welcome news in Sylvan Lake, where the full complement of Chinook's Edge schools also includes École Fox Run Middle School and École H.J. Cody High School.
"It is always positive to live in a growing community, of course, but the rapid growth in Sylvan Lake over the last several years has created challenges at each of our local schools," said Colleen Butler, Board Chair. "The Board very much appreciates the understanding and flexibility our staff and students have shown over this time, and this is such an exciting day for our families in Sylvan Lake. Opening Beacon Hill Elementary is a major cause for celebration for this entire community."
Several special guests were acknowledged at the grand opening, including Kim Schreiner (MLA Red Deer North), Barb Miller (MLA Red Deer South), Don MacIntyre (MLA Innisfail-Sylvan Lake), Sean McIntyre (Mayor Sylvan Lake), members of the Chinook's Edge Board of Education and Central Office Leadership Team.
Beacon Hill Principal Trevor Sanche and Vice Principal Suzanne Thibault hosted the event, where other speakers included local Trustee Jackie Swainson and Superintendent Kurt Sacher, and Grade 4 student Caleb Hadland, who said, "On behalf of all the students in this school, we would like to say thank you to the Government of Alberta for building such a fabulous school for us!"
"This day marks the beginning of a tradition of school pride, a caring culture, strong relationships, and a school community focused on achieving success for every student," said Principal Sanche.
