Grand Erie learners dug their shovels into the ground Monday to mark the official start of construction on a joint-use building that will serve as the future home of a public and Catholic elementary school to meet the needs of the growing community in Caledonia.
"We're here to mark the start of construction of a physical building, but what we're really celebrating goes beyond those soon-to-be-built walls," said Susan Gibson, Chair of Grand Erie District School Board, during opening remarks to celebrate the groundbreaking. "We're laying a foundation of learning, well-being and belonging, and we share this occasion with the community that will be such an important part of that."
The event was hosted by each school board, and featured a Haudenosaunee opening and closing address delivered by Tehahenteh Miller, a Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation drumming performance, and remarks from school board staff and elected officials. The new schools are a significant infrastructure investment, with capacity for 746 learners and 49 spaces to accommodate 10 infants, 15 toddlers and 24 preschool children within a child-care centre that is also part of the building plans.
"This groundbreaking serves as a reminder of our commitment to collaboration, acknowledgment and respect," said JoAnna Roberto, PhD, Director of Education, recognizing Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. "Our responsibility in education is to understand our pasts and to look forward to an optimistic future together with knowledge, skills and new ways of looking at the world."
The new school, which will select its name through a public consultation process commencing later this year, is slated to open its doors September 2025. It will be the fourth Grand Erie school in Caledonia, which is home to River Heights School, Caledonia Centennial Public School and McKinnon Park Secondary School.
Grand Erie's Facility Services team has played a key role in making the new elementary school a reality, including infrastructure planning and implementation, logistics, sustainability and management of budget. Grand Erie's learning spaces are a pivotal part of its ability to build a culture of learning to nurture curiosity and opportunity.
