The hard hats are gone and students are back in their regular classrooms as Sangster Elementary school's seismic upgrade is now complete.

Four classrooms, several walls and a portion of Sangster Elementary school's roof are now seismically upgraded.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender celebrated the $2.1-million upgrade with school board chair Wendy Hobbs, students and school staff before heading out for a game of basketball and to learn more about Sangster's Nature Kindergarten class.

Sangster is home to B.C.'s first Nature Kindergarten program. Students in the program spend every morning exploring the nearby trails, lagoon and beaches. Inspired by European forest schools, the two-year pilot program began in 2012. The district is exploring options to expand the program into 2015.

James Bay Community and South Park Family schools have both started Coastal Kindergarten programs, which will begin this fall.

Sangster's upgrade project is part of the B.C. government's continued commitment to student safety through the Seismic Mitigation Program. During construction, students were temporarily relocated to other areas of the school.

Sangster Elementary school was built in several phases between 1957 and 1973 and has a capacity for 215 kindergarten-to-Grade 5 students.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

"Sangster is an innovative and well-loved school and this upgrade ensures students and staff have a safe school to learn, play and grow for many more years."

Wendy Hobbs, chair, Sooke board of education -

"The board of education is thrilled the seismic upgrade is now complete at Sangster Elementary. Safety is our number one priority for our students and staff in School District 62; they will enjoy the upgraded building for years to come."

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $52 million in the Sooke school district to complete six capital projects, including $5.5 million to build Crystalview Elementary and more than $8 million to replace Happy Valley Elementary after it was destroyed by fire.
• Government has also committed more than $94 million for two new secondary schools in the district.
• In addition, the Province invested more than $12.6 million for additional space for full day kindergarten.
• Since 2001 government has spent or committed $2.2 billion to seismically upgrade or replace 213 high-risk schools. It is anticipated it will cost a further $600 million to address the remaining 102 high-risk schools in the province.

Learn More:

BC's Education Plan: www.bcedplan.ca/

Sangster Elementary: http://www.sd62.bc.ca/sangster/Home.aspx

Nature Kindergarten: http://naturekindergarten.sd62.bc.ca/

Media Contact:

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