Queen Mary Community Elementary buzzed with excitement as provincial, municipal and community representatives, along with students and staff, gathered for an important milestone - the completion of an $18.7-million seismic upgrade and heritage restoration at the school.

Circle the globe 825 times and you will have travelled 33 million kilometres, the distance B.C. school buses travel each year. Through its annual fleet renewal program, government is providing $11 million for 31 school districts around the province to purchase a total of 96 new buses.

For most students, the first week of school involves new friends, new teachers and a new grade level.

The District of Port Edward and the Prince Rupert board of education, supported by a contribution from the B.C. government, joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind school at the municipal hall.

B.C. school buses travel over 33 million kilometres each year, the equivalent of 43 round trips to the moon.