Students and staff were well past their first day of school jitters during the grand opening of Banff Elementary School, but that didn’t hinder the nervous anticipation, excitement and pride palpable on the faces of so many in attendance.
Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen, MLA Cameron Westhead, members of Banff town council and Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) Board of Trustees were all on hand to assist in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, (Sept. 26), after completion of the first phase of upgrades and renovations to the school.
Banff Elementary School Principal Debbie McKibbin was mistress of ceremonies, and began by emphasizing that the development of the school will continue to further foster the safe and supportive space that students so value.
CRPS school board trustee Arlene Rheaume said the building will be a pathway to the future where “the most current teaching practices and student engagement will continue to flourish in this state of the art school.”
Inclusivity is a key issue addressed by the new design, with structural barriers removed to allow for optimal accessibility for all students.
“The opportunities for collaboration and shared teaching strategies which are fundamental to our practice are supported in the structure of our new school,” she said.
Rheaume noted that BES is not only technologically and scholastically advanced, but environmentally as well, boasting the use of over 200 solar panels – “one of the first (schools) to be built with this technology.”
Large windows that offer panoramic views of the Bow Valley were installed to encourage the right to light, while a layout that optimizes the flow of traffic within the building, making it as unobtrusive as possible, makes for a much calmer atmosphere for staff and students at the school.
Other features and innovations include flexible furniture and nesting tables that create space and allow kids to work in any way that best suits them – be it on ‘wiggle chairs’ that help with focus, at a stand-up desk, independently, or with peers.
Desks also are equipped with writable surfaces that easily wipe clean.
“We want students to know it’s OK to make a mistake; that’s a key part of what we value here,” said McKibbin.
Garage doors are installed between classes and can be utilized to create more space, allow for co-teaching, and open up opportunities for students to collaborate outside of their assigned classrooms.
As for the students, new water bottle filling fountains are an overwhelming favourite feature, according to McKibbin.
Chris MacPhee, superintendent of schools, said the phase one project came in under time and under budget, and phase two, which will include a new gymnasium and library, is now in the tendering process and design phase.
“Today is also a reflection of a generation of students who have already passed through these doors and now we’re looking towards a new, preferred future. I can proudly say today we officially open phase one and this is a legacy facility for generations of Banffites and town families to come in the future. I’m looking forward to seeing that, and phase two, come true.”
