| October 16, 2009 NORTH SAANICH - Students, educators, parents, trustees and district staff celebrated the official opening of the new, eco-friendly KELSET Elementary School with a ribbon cutting ceremony, Saanich North and the Islands MLA Murray Coell announced today. "The Saanich school district, in co-operation with the North Saanich community and First Nations partners, has established a school environment that stands as a shining example of positive design practices," said Coell. "KELSET Elementary is a leader in school safety, energy efficiency, environmental consciousness and cultural awareness." KELSET Elementary was designed to consolidate the school populations of MacTavish Elementary and Saanichton Elementary. It was built according To Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles for maximum site and building sustainability. Design elements that were put into place to reduce the school's impact on the environment include:
The school's design also contains numerous advanced technological features including SMART boards (interactive white boards), ceiling mounted LCD digital projectors, document cameras, voice enhancement systems for select classrooms, and state-of-the art labs and classroom computers. "This impressive school gives students and staff a green, state-of-the-art environment in which to work and learn," said Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. "Through community consultation, green design practices and a focus on technologies that support learning in the classroom, B.C. continues to build some of the best schools anywhere in the world." A large stage, equipped with a Murphy bed-style folding mechanism, supports fine arts performances, while a First Nations Cultural Centre, which features work by local First Nations artists, helps facilitate First Nations culture and language programs in the school. "Our community is thrilled about the many successes already evident at KELSET," said Saanich board of education chair MaryLynne Rymer. "The parents, students and staff of the previous Saanichton and McTavish schools have come together as one in KELSET, clearly a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. The students are happy and learning, the parents are proud and connected, and the staff members are taking full advantage of this 21st century learning environment. First Nations culture is front and centre in the artwork, programs and family connections at KELSET, as are the connections to nature, environmental stewardship and recreation. This is another great day in Saanich." The Saanich school district consulted extensively with the community during the planning for the new school. As a result, community traffic concerns were addressed by employing improved engineering of the entrance and exit to the parking lots. A parent "Way to Go" committee was formed to develop safe pedestrian access at the school and along surrounding streets and trails. The school and nearby Panorama recreation centre continue to work together to provide traffic and parking solutions to ensure the safety of students and the broader Forest Park community. Since 2001, seven capital projects worth more than $55.6 million have been completed in the Saanich school district. Over the same period, the Province has spent more than $1.5 billion to complete 75 new and replacement schools, 147 additions, 26 renovation projects and 20 site acquisitions across B.C. All new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic standards. By the end of 2009/10, the Province will have committed more than $3.8 billion in school capital and maintenance projects across the province. -30- | |
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