January 28, 2015

During their respective regular meetings held on January 27, 2015, the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) and Huron Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB) trustees adopted the motion to advance with the redevelopment of Catholic schools in Elliot Lakes and to see all three Catholic schools operate from the same building, presently shared by École élémentaire catholique Georges Vanier and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School. Joining them in this building located at 140 Hillside Drive North will be Our Lady of Lourdes French Immersion Catholic School.

The boards agree that students from École élémentaire catholique Georges Vanier will be moved to the wing presently occupied by Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School. Space at the opposite end of the building will be shared by Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School and Our Lady of Lourdes French Immersion Catholic School. This project is however conditional to securing funding from the Ministry of Education to allow for renovations such as modernization of classes and building, redesign of the school yard and reorganizing parking lots. The goal of this collaborative effort is to maximize the use of space while ensuring that all students continue to have access to the best programming possible in quality school facilities. 

“We believe that this collaboration will allow CSCNO to continue to offer quality French-language Catholic education to its elementary students,” states Mr. André Bidal, CSCNO President. “Although the school site will be shared, our Francophone school will maintain its autonomy. As always, we are committed to offering our students a quality learning environment where they will be able to learn and strive as Francophones and Catholics.”

“The decision of our Board of Trustees to approve this collaboration with our coterminous board will ensure that our students will continue to receive the best Catholic education possible. Bringing together our two Catholic school communities in Elliot Lake will strengthen our commitment to develop the full potential of every student in our care. The HSCDSB appreciates input received from all stakeholders and looks forward to providing a learning atmosphere that will allow our students to become the Catholic leaders of tomorrow,” said HSCDSB Chairperson, Mrs. Leslie Cassidy-Amadio.     

The CSCNO and the HSCDSB have been working in collaboration since last year to address the student accommodation needs in Elliot Lake in response to a request from the Ministry of Education. They jointly produced a feasibility study of various options pertaining to the utilization of school sites in Elliot Lake while consulting their respective school communities.

Media contacts:

Paul de la Riva
Coordinator of Communications and Community Development
Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario
705-673-5626, ext. 294 / 705 677-8195 cell phone
 

Jim Fitzpatrick

Communications Officer
Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board
705-945-5666 /