École St-Denis takes flight

Like a metamorphosis from caterpillar into butterfly, the new École catholique St-Denis is an evolution from one school into another.

That's why Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario settled on releasing butterflies when students, staff and friends celebrated the official opening of the new French-language Catholic school June 22. Hundreds of butterflies were release to mark the occasion.

Minister of Education Laurel Broten, in town for the Liberal convention over the weekend, attended the event alongside the school’s 379 students. They all bore witness to the advancement of French-language Catholic education in Sudbury, according to a news release.

Located on Ramsey View Court in Sudbury, the new building is situated on the south side of the James Jerome Sports Complex. Whereas 379 students are currently registered from kindergarten to Grade 8 at École St-Denis, the new three-floor building will have a capacity of 411 students and occupy 46,700 square feet (4,338.5 square metres) on three floors.

“It is my pleasure to be here to celebrate the official opening of École St-Denis. For children and families in Sudbury, this new school will be a community hub where they can access seamless, integrated supports like full-day kindergarten and child care under one roof,” Broten said.

The construction of the new school was made possible as a result of support from the province and the federal government. Of the total $11.5 million cost of the project, the province provided $9.9 million in funding, including nearly $500,000 for the school’s geothermal heating system.

The province also provided $109,856 to support the new child centre.

The CSCNO also received $533,000 in federal government support through the Canada-Ontario Agreement, which made it possible to add a daycare centre to the school.

“French language Catholic education has been provided to students in Greater Sudbury since 1894. As heir to this tradition, the CSCNO is pleased to provide modern and ecological learning facilities that are adapted to our students’ needs,” school board president Marcel Montpellier said. 

“We recognize École St-Denis’ tradition of excellence since it first opened its doors in 1961. The move to a new building, with links to our school’s history, will ensure the promotion and transmission of a thriving French Catholic culture.”

The new learning space will greatly benefit each student and help them to achieve academic success and promote their cultural and spiritual identity, Lyse-Anne Papineau, director of Education, said.

“Faithful to its tradition of excellence, the new school will benefit from its modern learning infrastructure and ecological features. In the light of its strategic location, the school will become a key City of Greater Sudbury partner in the years to come.”

Posted by Arron Pickard