Several changes coming to west Lethbridge schools

LETHBRIDGE – More than a hundred parents filled the Chinook High School gymnasium Wednesday night to hear the future of Westside.

Lethbridge School District No. 51 held a capital projects meeting, discussing new school projects, boundaries and language programs being introduced to students.

“It’s a vibrant, growing community. Very excited about the schools, programs and spaces that we are going to be able to offer the children of west Lethbridge,” said superintendent, Cheryl Gilmore.

Parents got the opportunity to see design plans for the elementary school in Copperwood, set to open in 2017. The 4,032 square metre facility will accommodate up to 600 students.

Plans were also revealed for the new Waterbridge middle school, scheduled to open in 2018. The 6,534 square metre building will fit 900 students.

“The classroom space in the school is only one space, there’s also other spaces that program delivery happens around that are really critical for the learning of students,” Gilmore said. “We need to relive some pressure so that services can be delivered.”

The district is also asking for help in naming the new elementary school in Copperwood. They are asking residents to submitted their ideas on the district’s website by March 3.

The need for new boundaries for the west end was also addressed. Currently the three west-side elementary schools have over 500 students each, putting them all at capacity. The proposed boundaries, which will be implemented in the 2017-2018 school year, would help alleviate those stresses.

“We look at geographic factors, major roads, barriers to being able to walk or access a school, as well as enrollment numbers,” Gilmore said.

The district also introduced French immersion and Spanish bilingual programs they will be offering in 2017.

The french immersion will be opened for kindergarden through grade 6 at Nicholas Sheran School will free up some space at Agnes Davidson School. Also, if there is sufficient interest, a Spanish language program will be offered at the new Copperwood school.

“Second language programming is an excellent way to broaden the experience of students and to give them opportunities that they may not otherwise receive,” said Wendy Fox, associate superintendent.