PIERREFONDS-ROXBORO – The pouring rain matched the mood at schools across the Lester B. Pearson School Board in the West Island as parents soaked in the news of impending closures and mergers.
At Thorndale Elementary in Pierrefonds-Roxoboro, parents told Global News they’ll miss the small-school atmosphere.
READ MORE: Lester B. Pearson School Board reveals plans to merge schools and close others
“It’s very sad,” said one parent.
“It’s a small, good little school, good staff and people who have been working here for years.”
Another parent said her son, who has Down Syndrome, was welcomed at the school.
“This was a great school for him,” she said.
“He did really well and he was integrated. It’ll be sad. It was a great school that met his needs.”
Principal Deborah Heuff said that despite the news, staff are trying to stay positive.
“Your first choice is to stay in your own building – that’s just human nature,” she said.
“I think the mood is fairly positive considering that we will be moving.”
She told Global News that the biggest step now is explaining to her 200 students that in a few months’ time, they’ll be leaving their beloved school.
READ MORE: Some Lester B. Pearson schools on the chopping block
“We’re going to be talking about change and how we deal with change and how we accept it and that will be the message,” said Heuff.
All mergers will be in effect starting in Sept., 2016.
WATCH: Senior anchor Jamie Orchard sits down with the head of the LBPSB Central Parents Committee, Darren Kotania, to discuss school closures and mergers.
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