A Parkcrest Elementary parent says he’s been impressed by the response from the School District in the aftermath of the fire.
“We didn’t go to the meeting on the Sunday night. As soon as it was over, a voice message went out explaining what the results were and what was going to happen, then an email showed up about an hour or two later,” said Jason Hewlett, who’s also a Radio NL host.
“They kind of worked that out within what 72 hours? All the other parents I’ve talked to have really appreciated it as well, saying the district has really been on top of it. They’ve been really considerate about how we are feeling.”
Hewlett says immediately after the fire, there were a lot of questions about the future from his son, who had just started Grade 3 at Parkcrest Elementary this month, some of which he couldn’t answer.
“So finding out that they were all going to go to George Hilliard was a big relief. And the fact that the district was able to get all the students and teachers together,” he said. “So it’s basically just the school, and everyone in it being moved.”
“He’ll be with his friends, he’ll be with the teachers he knows, and the older students. They have a good buddy system there.”
Over the past few days, Hewlett notes things have improved, now that parents and students have some answers, and a new home for the next two years.
“There were a lot of rumours that were floating like they were going to go to Happyvale or Ralph Bell out in Valleyview, which would have been a good 20 minute trek,” he said. “That would have been an issue. This is just down the street. For some kids it’s even walkable still. I know it displaces a couple other programs. I’m glad they’re starting to figure out a way around that.”
“I know a lot of the parents appreciate it.”
Students at the Twin Rivers Education Centre will move to NorKam Senior Secondary School on an interim basis, while Four Directions students will move to the former Happyvale Elementary, which now houses the Big Little Science Centre, who will also need to move.
The cause of last week’s fire is still under investigation, but Kamloops RCMP have said it is not criminal in nature.
