There were a few new schools in Fort MacMurray that were opened in time for the new school year, and parents and administrators both celebrated these welcome editions to the school system in the area. There are 2 new elementary schools in Fort MacMurray that were not available to students last year, and although the schedule was tight both managed to open in time for the start of school this year. St. Kateri School, in the Fort MacMurray Catholic School District, opened on September 2nd, although there is still some construction going on even now. In the Fort MacMurray School District the Walter and Gladys Hill Public School also opened on September 2. Both schools are operating normally, with both classes and extracurricular activities already in full swing.
Opening up 2 new elementary schools in Fort MacMurray in time for the new school year means that there are enough spaces for all the elementary students in Fort MacMurray and then some. It is undeniable that the area is growing and expanding quickly, with more people arriving from around Canada and the world every week. Both elementary schools will be connected in the middle by the new community centre, however this part is still under construction. Right now St. Kateri does not have all of the classrooms open, and some classes are larger than normal but there are two teachers instead of one so the quality of learning is not affected. According to St. Kateri principal Valerie Dyck“In the classroom, there would be more students than what would be typical, but there are two teachers in the room at all times. The kids really do get the benefit of if the teacher that happens to be teaching is busy, there’s another teacher walking around, understanding what they’re supposed to be doing. It seems to be working really well.”