With nearly two-thirds of its students in kindergarten to Grade 3, École Willow Point Elementary will benefit substantially from a new structure just delivered to the school.

It has bright colours, high ceilings and natural lighting that will provide young students with a healthy, nurturing learning environment. As one of nine new modular classrooms for the Campbell River school district, it will be ready for students in September 2011.

Why It Matters:

École Willow Point, a single-track French Immersion school, is the first school in Campbell River to receive one of B.C.'s new modular classrooms for full-day kindergarten. Five Campbell River schools will receive nine modular classrooms:

• Two at École Willow Point Elementary.
• Two at Ocean Grove Elementary.
• Two at Penfield Elementary.
• Two at Pinecrest Elementary.
• One at Sandowne Elementary.

Modular classrooms are unique learning centres that are bright and open, with high ceilings and windows for plenty of natural light and cross-ventilation, and are a permanent, versatile solution with the same lifespan as a standard school classroom.

Quick Facts:

• Full-day kindergarten will be available for every eligible five-year-old starting school in 2011.
• As part of its $144.5-million full-day kindergarten capital investment to create learning spaces for full-day kindergarten, the Province has a nearly $30-million contract with Shelter Industries to design, construct, deliver and install 140 modular classrooms in 26 school districts throughout B.C.

• About $1.9 million to construct nine modular classrooms.
• More than $980,000 for a two-classroom addition at Ripple Rock Elementary school.
• More than $1 million to prepare the school sites for the modular classrooms and to cover installation costs for the district.
• About $30,000 to convert two elementary classrooms for kindergarten use.
• These new classrooms will be constructed to meet the commitments of B.C.'s Wood First Act and include high-performance building envelopes to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.
• The $144.5-million full-day kindergarten capital investment is being provided in addition to B.C.'s three-year, $365-million commitment to implement full-day kindergarten.
• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $23 million in the Campbell River school district for capital and seismic projects, including the new Ripple Rock Elementary and a seismic upgrade and addition to Carihi Secondary school.
• During that same period, government has spent more than $1.8 billion to complete 83 new and replacement schools, 149 additions, 26 renovations and 22 site acquisitions across B.C.
• Since 2001, the Province has committed more than $3.9 billion to school capital and maintenance projects throughout British Columbia.

Learn More:

Watch B.C.'s new modular classrooms being built and see how the Province is creating learning spaces for full-day kindergarten: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/capitalplanning/fdk_modular/

Learn more about full-day kindergarten programs: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/early_learning/fdk/

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963