The Sturgis Composite School invited special guests, board members and Good Spirit School Division administrative members to join the students and staff in officially opening the newly-renovated school on October 20.
The newly-renovated school currently houses both high and elementary students under one roof. The celebrations got under way with a photograph opportunity of all staff and students sporting their new orange shirts for students and blue shirts for staff members.
A special banner displayed at the front of the stage was created by the Grade 6 and 7 students. A special plaque was created by Kacie Meroniuk, Tory Reynolds and Shanae Olson under the direction of Michael Andrusko.
The program was overseen by Brad Cameron, principal. Cameron welcomed all special guests including: Terry Dennis, MLA for Canora-Pelly Constituency; Crossroads Credit Union personnel; Mayor Alan Holmberg; Quinton Robertson, GSSD Director of Education; Mark Forsythe, Superintendent of Education; Lois Symandych, GSSD board chair; members of the School Community Council; staff; parents, and community members.
Also acknowledged were Teresa Korol,assistant superintendent of business administration, and her team.
Cameron introduced all staff members and students as they entered the gymnasium. He continued with a brief history of the school consolidation.
On June 9, 2016 the Sturgis Community Council held a public meeting in which representatives from the GSSD and the public met to discuss the possibility of consolidation of the elementary and high schools, Cameron said. On June 20, the SCC passed a motion to consolidate the schools. Cleaning out of the upstairs of the high school began in November. The renovations began in November and continued until May when the high school students moved upstairs.
In the months of May and August the south end classrooms and art room were renovated with new lights installed in the gym over the summer. In July 18 to 20 the new playground was installed in the south end.
The new name for the school was selected from many names that were submitted. In the end it was recommended to the school that the name Sturgis Composite School be sent for approval to GSSD.
“Sturgis Composite High School was the first composite high school in Saskatchewan and we wanted to honour that heritage,” Cameron said. “We also wanted to recognize the contributions of the Sturgis Elementary School to the community.” Terry Dennis, brought greetings on behalf of the provincial government.
Quintin Robertson, GSSD Director of Education acknowledged everyone in attendance.
“It is a privilege to be here today to celebrate this special day," he said. It all began inn October 2016 when the facility team worked tirelessly to make this a Kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school. He acknowledged everyone who contributed towards the project
The School Community Council recognized that since the schools were going to be consolidated, a playground on that location was needed. A loan from GSSD was attained in order for new playground equipment to be purchased. The parent support group from the Sturgis Elementary supplied the down payment of $24,000 that enabled the Sturgis school to be approved for the loan from the division. The total cost for the playground was $115,000.
"There were many individuals who helped us with this project," said Cameron.
Sturgis Composite students from both the high school and elementary gave some positive testimony of being one school. Students included: Bo Babiuk, Student Representative Council president; Cole Kowalchuk, Grade 12 student; Kaeleigh Folk, Grade 12 student; Neveah Rudachyk and Cole Secundiak, both Grade 5 students.
Rudachyk and Babiuk participated in a special ceremony of pouring two different coloured crystals into one vase symbolizing the uniting of both schools.
Jeff Bisschop, Crossroads Credit Union CEO, presented a donation of $3,000 to Janice Beatty, president of the Sturgis Community Council.
To date two phases of the renovations have been completed which encompasses the upstairs, the south end, the roof on the gym and upstairs offices and new LED gym lights.
The next phase of the construction starts in November with the gymnasium renovations, it was said. The gym will be receiving new paint, washrooms and new flooring. The renovations are expected to be done by September 2018.
A pulled pork lunch concluded the program. A cake was supplied by Preeceville Shop Easy.
