PARKCREST FIRE – District reveals details of student-relocation plan

All students and staff from Parkcrest elementary school will move into George Hilliard elementary by next Monday, School District 73 officials confirmed today (Monday, Sept. 9, 2019).

They met with staff and parents from the two schools over the weekend to reveal the first phase of the Parkcrest Recovery Plan.

“We felt it important to show the plan to the Parkcrest Elementary School community, to the Four Directions Program and the Twin Rivers Education Centre Program (TREC), which are both housed at George Hilliard Elementary, before announcing it to the wider community,” SD73 superintendent of schools Alison Sidow said today.

Media reported the plan on the weekend after being told about it by parents who attended a meeting Sunday.

The district said today the plan was presented to the board Sunday and then to staff, parents and guardians of Parkcrest, Four Directions and TREC on the same day. SD73 also met with Norkam Senior Secondary staff.

“Things are moving fast, because we know the importance of getting the children back into their normal routine as soon as possible,” Sidow said. “This is a solid, workable plan that meets our key priorities, particularly in that it ensures the emotional safety and security and continuity of education of our youngest learners.”

The Parkcrest Recovery Plan is as follows:

The Big Little Science Centre will be relocated. This location has yet to be confirmed.

1. This will make room for the Four Directions students and staff, who will be relocated to the Happyvale Building which will be made available once relocation of the Big Little Science Centre is complete.
2. The Twin Rivers Education Centre students and staff will be relocated to NorKam.
3. The relocation of Four Directions and TREC students and staff will make George Hilliard Elementary available.
4. All Parkcrest students and staff will be relocated to George Hilliard Elementary.

Details are still being worked through, and the plan will be discussed at the school board meeting tonight. “For example, during the meeting with Four Directions and TREC parents and guardians, concerns were raised about moving TREC students to NorKam.

“This feedback is important and we are taking another look at what can be done for that part of the plan. The well-being of all our learners is a priority. And we appreciate that all parent groups and staff we spoke with understand that difficult choices have to be made,” Sidow said.

As the plan is implemented, and Parkcrest elementary students and staff begin their day on Monday, Sept. 16 at George Hilliard school, other students and staff will also begin classes in their interim locations.

Four Directions students and staff will be at the new United Way building on Tranquille Street. The arrangement is temporary until the Big Little Science Centre is relocated. Also on Monday, TREC staff and students are slated to begin classes at NorKam.

“In the long term, we look forward to replacing Parkcrest elementary, which will enable our alternate programs to return to their own site,” said Sidow.