Fireside School’s temporary location on the grounds of Mitford Middle School is ready to receive students – and the principal is inviting any children who might be feeling nervous about the upcoming semester to come and see the new space.
“I just thought it would be good to provide an opportunity for kids who might be anxious to come and see the site if they want to,” Fireside principal Thomas Elbel said this week. “It’s all about trying to build relationships.”
Earlier this year, administrators announced a 10-week delay in the completion of Cochrane’s newest educational institution, which will service families who live in Riversong, Riviera, Fireside and the Willows. Construction continues on the kindergarten to Grade 8 school for an anticipated opening of Nov. 14.
To accommodate kids in the meantime, a set of modular units at Mitford was set aside for students, many of whom will be transferring from Glenbow School.
Elbel met with those children in the spring to discuss any thoughts and fears about their upcoming move, and families were invited to explore the temporary space in June – before it was fully set up for Fireside.
Now that the classrooms are prepared, Elbel wanted to open the portables again before school starts as another way to make the official transition in September as smooth as possible.
“It looks great. The furniture is set up – (we’re putting) finishing touches,” Elbel said. “When the space is quiet and there is not the hustle and bustle of 300 kids, it might be a good time for students to come by and see which one will be (their) classroom.”
Parents can arrange daytime visits to Fireside School’s temporary site from now until school begins at the beginning of September by calling the office at (403) 932-4868 or emailing [email protected]. An open house is also slated for Sept. 1.
