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New elementary school gets approved

W.J. Fricker Public School will close at the end of the 2018-2019 school year
w j fricker turl
W.J. Fricker will be the site of a new elementary school.

The city is getting a new elementary school.

The Near North District School Board says the Province has approved a pair of capital funding requests, both of which are a result of student accommodation review processes. 

Capital funding has been committed to build a new elementary school on the W.J. Fricker Public School site at 790 Norman Avenue to accommodate Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 students from E.T. Carmichael and E.W. Norman public schools, along with Extended French Grade 5 and 6 students from W.J. Fricker Public School. 

Board chair David Thompson tells BayToday that the entire cost is about $12.4 million for 308 students.

Construction of integrated child care facilities has also been approved with one Infant, one Toddler, two Pre-School rooms as well as the construction of a new EarlyON Child and Family Centre. 

"Working in partnership with the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) and third-party licensee, YMCA Northeastern Ontario, children and families can expect a seamless approach to quality childcare and school programs in one facility, which is anticipated to open in September of 2020," says a news release from the board.

“The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board is very pleased to support this project, bringing much-needed quality early years and childcare services into the education system,” said DNSSAB chair Mark King. “This is an excellent example of considering what’s effective and convenient for children and families in the Nipissing District.”

W.J. Fricker Public School will close at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. 

In September 2019, Grade 5 and 6 students from W.J. Fricker will be accommodated at E.W. Norman while the new school is being constructed and the Grade 7 and 8 students from W.J. Fricker will attend Chippewa.

As previously announced, child care facilities (one Infant room, one Toddler room and one Pre-School room) will be included in the design of the new Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 school at 111 Isabella Street in Parry Sound. 

Working with the Parry Sound District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) to further enhance services for families, capital funding has been committed by the province to build a new EarlyON Child and Family Centre at the new school.  The Board hopes to be able to tender for architectural services this Spring. 

“The Board of Trustees are pleased to see another reinvestment of tax dollars supporting our long-term Capital Plan that modernizes local education in the City of North Bay and the Town of Parry Sound,” said school board chair David Thompson.


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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