‘Tis the season for connecting! In the spirit of connectedness, the Weir school community came together on the evening of Wednesday, December 6 at an open house hosted at the new, seismically safe school.

While the school underwent seismic upgrade work, students and staff were temporarily accommodated at three schools: MacCorkindale Elementary, Champlain Heights Community and, for the grades six and seven students, Killarney Secondary. After moving into the now seismically safe school in November, Weir Elementary students and staff were excited to welcome in family members to see their new learning spaces.

Hundreds of families attended the evening, where upon arrival they received a map to help guide them through a tour of the school. At each station, students stamped maps and then shared details about the pod and areas.

School principal, Riley McMitchell, explained the school is organized in pods, each identified with an animal name that provides a focus for students and reflects their progression through their learning journey. The kindergarten classes, for example, are in the turtle pod because as he explained, like young turtles, they are going slowly as they find their way on a new journey. Whereas the students in Grade 7 are located in the owl pod because, as the most senior students in the school, have wisdom. Principal McMitchell notes that the animal-themed pods provide teachers and staff with learning opportunities about nature and also enables exploration of Indigenous cultures and ways of being.

The seismic project at Weir saw one wing of the former building maintained, but there too are a lot of improvements including new furniture, freshly painted walls, storage spaces and teaching equipment like projectors. Weir Grade 5 teacher Tim Eves is pleased with the upgrades, especially the addition of a sink which makes for great use after art projects and other hands-on learning activities for students.

Grade 7 student, Rylen, who was an entry greeter for the evening says they wish that they could continue learning in the new school. “I’m happy I can at least be here for half a year, and I really like all the open space,” explained Rylen.

AJ, also a Grade 7 student, agrees with Rylen about wishing they had more time to attend the school, but she says she is really excited for the students currently in kindergarten who will get to be in the school for their entire elementary experience. AJ also really appreciates all the windows throughout the new building.

The bright and open spaces are also a favourite feature for Grade 7 student Kaitlyn. “I really like the stained glass because when it’s the afternoon and sunshine’s through it’s really pretty colours!” She also was really pleased to be part of the greeting crew, welcoming families to the new space.

“I think families are probably really excited about coming here tonight. Their kids have been coming here for a couple of weeks and now they get to see the space for themselves.”

Parents and guardians were equally excited to see the new school. According to parent of two, Gloria, “This has been a long-awaited night! The turn out this evening is amazing and it’s just so exciting!”

Also attending the open house were former students of the school and their family members. Many former school community members found one piece of art to be especially meaningful; a series four canvass pieces – when placed together they spell “WEIR”. The letters are decorated with painted handprints of students who attended the former school building. The art piece, provided by the school’s PAC is a true a connection to the past.

The Weir community open house capped off with entertainment by students in the new gym and plenty of reconnecting by former and current students, their families and school staff, who are now back together in an open, bright and modern school.

Watch students’ reactions upon arriving to their new school for the first time!