Full-day kindergarten students attending school for the very first time met Education Minister George Abbott, who was in town touring some of the 13 new classroom spaces that have been made available to support the district's early learners.

The $2.75-million addition to Shannon Lake Elementary, open this September, created space for eight new energy-efficient classes for elementary and full day kindergarten students. Every classroom has interactive white boards and an enhanced sound system to ensure every student can hear. Corridors in the addition maximize natural light and, as part of the construction project, new public sidewalks were installed in front of the school to benefit the public and enhance student safety.

The Anne McClymont Primary building, located across the road from Anne McClymont Elementary, was restored and re-opened to accommodate five full-day kindergarten and early grades classrooms, as well as space for future enrolment growth. Upgrades to the original 1950 building include new paint and flooring, updated lighting, new millwork and countertops, classroom updates to allow for enhanced sound systems and ceiling-mounted projectors, fire and intrusion alarm updates and restored playground equipment.

Anne McClymont Primary was temporarily closed in 2009 due to declining enrolment and the opening of Chute Lake Elementary.

Quotes:

Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart -

"Investing in early learning supports the future of our province by preparing our students with the tools they need to achieve their best. These capital investments are making a big difference for families and students in Westside-Kelowna."

Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick -

"Enrolment has increased in this district in each of the last three years and will do so again this year. That's why partnerships like this that create new classroom space for Kelowna's young learners are so crucial."

Central Okanagan board of education chair Rolli Cacchioni -

"We are thrilled to be in a position to offer dedicated classroom space to meet the needs of our students. These new learning environments are a tremendous support to help us accommodate both full-day kindergarten as well as our district's growing student population."

Quick Facts:

• These projects are part of government's $144-million commitment and six-step action plan to help ensure 709 new classrooms were available to meet the needs of full-day kindergarten learners this September.
• As part of this commitment, the Central Okanagan school district (SD 23) has also received 15 modular classrooms at 11 school sites.
• An estimated 1,415 full-day kindergarten students are currently enrolled in SD 23.
• Full-day kindergarten is available for every eligible five-year-old entering the B.C. school system.
• Since 2001, government has invested more than $84 million for school capital projects in the SD 23, including the new Chute Lake Elementary and the replacement of Dr. Knox Middle school.
• During the same period, the Province has spent more than $1.8 billion to complete 83 new and replacement schools, 149 additions, 26 renovations and 22 site acquisitions, and has committed more than $3.9 billion overall to school capital and maintenance projects.

Learn More:

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

Contact:

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