Catholic elementary school Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin had a grand opening ceremony of their new school Thursday in partnership with the Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord.
This new building will enable their students to develop their full potential, and all staff members to continue to excel in their work.
The new school is located at 1245 Village Road in Astorville.
The ceremony included a plaque unveiling, a ribbon cutting, a blessing of the school, and tours.
“We have been preparing and working very hard for the past few months to get the school ready for this special day,” said Principal Tammy Cantin after the ceremony. “It’s definitely an important day in the history of the community and it’s allowing us to create great partnerships, also in the community."
“Our students’ homework is now to grow to the fullest of their dreams, aspirations and potential while being fully invested in their community, their language, their faith and their culture,”added the Director of Education of CSCFN, Monique Ménard in a news release.
The new building not only provides more space, but is modern and efficient.
The school benefits from hydronic radiant floor heating, high efficiency boilers, LED lighting, clerestory windows to allow natural light to infiltrate the building, high efficiency energy recovery systems as well as air conditioning throughout the school.
The classroom windows overlook the wooded area around the school, allowing students to appreciate the natural surroundings of this rural school.
Furthermore, the classrooms allow new seating layouts to further encourage collaborative learning. Every classroom is equipped with a SMART interactive white board, which is connected to Apple TV. A secure wireless internet connection is available throughout the school for the seamless use of a large educational application inventory, various educational websites, videos, programs,document sharing and messaging systems, eBooks, online classes and various tools for both staff and students.
To access these resources from various locations and for increased flexibility, a greater number of portable devices, such iPods, and MacBooks are available.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included Anthony Rota, MP for Nipissing-Timiskaming, Andrea Stoppa, representing Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing, Monique Ménard, Director of Education of the Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, Roland Rochon, Vice-President of the CSCFN, staff and trustees of the CSCFN, Bill Vrebosch, Mayor of the Municipality of East Ferris, Father Jean-Marc Raymond of Paroisse Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin parish, Julie Duhaime of J.L. Richards, Roger Rheault, President of Cy Rheault Construction Limited, Mindy Turner, Director of the Garderie Soleil et ses satellites, as well as students, personnel and parents of École élémentaire catholique Saint-Thomasd’Aquin.
