A new $14-million elementary school serving a rich cultural tapestry of students was officially opened today by Education Minister Peter Fassbender.

At the new J.W. Sexsmith Elementary school a total of twenty-one different languages are spoken - with Chinese and Punjabi the predominant languages. Also on hand for today's opening were students, parents, teachers and school board representatives.

J.W. Sexsmith Elementary was originally comprised of a three-storey centre wing built in 1912. A gym and stage wing was added in 1950 and a three-storey classroom wing built in 1954.

A seismic assessment, done in 2004, indicated that the school was a high-risk facility. Under the province's Seismic Mitigation Program for schools, further study determined that a complete replacement school would be more cost effective than a seismic upgrade of the original building.

The new J.W. Sexsmith is built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold standard and features a geothermal heating and cooling system. Extensive playground areas, a bright, spacious library and an atrium highlight the school's design.

The school now has capacity for 390 kindergarten to Grade 7 students. Included in the new building is a Neighbourhood Learning Centre. The centre provides community office space, music rooms and an area for pre-schoolers and out-of-school care.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

"This is a bright, new learning facility we can all be proud of and one that is safe, comfortable and ready for modern learners. It is one more project completed under our Seismic Mitigation Program, and I know it will continue to build on the century-old history of the original."

Dr. Moira Stilwell, MLA Vancouver-Langara -

"This is a wonderful new school, and the diverse student population it serves speaks to B.C. educators' ability to bring students from a wide variety of cultures together and create vibrant, successful learning environments."

Patti Bacchus, chair of the Vancouver school board -

"The replacement of J.W. Sexsmith school is an important milestone for this community and the Vancouver school board. We have been working hard to ensure all Vancouver schools are seismically upgraded, and we are pleased to see this projected completed. We look forward to continuing to work with government to address the remaining high-risk schools."

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, 44 capital and seismic projects worth more than $280 million have been completed in the Vancouver school district, including funding for additional space for Full Day Kindergarten.
• Since 2001, the Government of B.C. has spent or committed $2.2 billion to seismically upgrade or replace 214 high-risk schools. It is anticipated it will cost a further $600 million to address the remaining 104 high-risk schools in the province.
• Since 2001, government has spent more than $2.5 billion to complete 99 new and replacement schools, 151 additions, 27 renovations and 26 site acquisitions throughout B.C.

(flickr.com)

Learn More:

Vancouver school board: http://www.vsb.bc.ca/

The Ministry of Education's Seismic Mitigation Program: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/capitalplanning/seismic/

BC's Education Plan: www.bcedplan.ca

Media Contact:

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