New school, new identity (16 photos)

Students from JK to Grade 6 left Johnson Tarbutt Central Public School December 18, 2015 for Christmas break, returning in January to a brand new school and new identity.

More than 150 students, dignitaries and special guests, including Algoma-Manitoulin MPP, Mike Mantha, Johnson Township Mayor, Ted Hicks along with Algoma District School Board Trustees and Administrative Council, gathered Tuesday for the Ribbon Cutting Celebration at Central Algoma Elementary School.

“Change can be a challenge and a little scary for children and adults, but is always easier with support,” said Principal of Central Algoma JK- 12, Jana Tetreault.

Students and staff are still adjusting to their new and spacious building, pegged at just over $5 million to construct.

“Today is a day of celebration as we officially celebrate the transition of Johnson-Tarbutt Elementary School community into its new identity as Central Algoma Elementary School,” said ADSB Director of Education Lucia Reece. “Capital projects are always the work of many hands and I want to acknowledge and thank all those individuals who have helped us, at every step of the way to make this project a reality and a success. Today, together, we celebrate this great learning space for students.”

Elementary students played a significant role in the ceremony with 'O Canada' being performed by all students accompanied by the Central Algoma Secondary School band.

Through the Eyes of a Student, a special segment of the program, had student representatives from JK to Grade 6 share his or her personal experiences from their first month at the new school.

Those who gathered also heard from representatives from the Grade 7-8 and Grade 9-12 Student Council presidents.

ADSB Chair, Jennifer Sarlo and Superintendent of Education, Marcy Bell presented a plaque to Grade 5/6 students Peighton Baron and Patrick Cameron to commemorate the ceremony.
 
Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapaskasing MP Carol Hughes and Sault Ste. Marie MPP, David Orazietti were unable to attend.

Orazietti did send greetings.

“As a former teacher who began working at CASS, I know how important this investment by the province, through the ADSB is to the parents and students served by the staff at this remarkable school,” Orazietti said.
 
Johnson Township has been the home of Central Algoma Secondary School for nearly 45 years.

“Over the years, the school has become a fixture on the North Channel of Lake Huron and is part of the identity of thousands of students,” said Johnson Township Mayor Ted Hicks. “The school has also expanded its role within the communities its serves by offering the very successful Grade 7-8 program.”

Hicks went on to say, with this arrangement, parents can drop off their child at the elementary door when they are four-years-old and pick them up at the secondary school door when they are 18.

“I will not lie when I say it was difficult to leave the old Johnson-Tarbutt School in December,” Hicks said. “I saw the tears because a lot of them were my own.”

But time, Hicks said, wear and tear and the fact that the older schools were never equipped for the demands of present day education, finally meant it has run its course.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a one room schoolhouse built in Gordon Lake in 1902 or the Johnson school built in 1956, they will always have a place in the hearts of this community,” he added.

Hicks attended a monthly ADSB meeting in Thessalon when the concept was first being tossed around.

“My opinion at that time was that the creation of a JK to 12 school at Central Algoma would serve as model for rural and northern education the the province of Ontario, if not the entire country,” Hicks said. “So, in the future when other communities wrestle with changes to the way they deliver JK to 12 education, I would encourage them to come here and see first hand what has been built and how education can be delivered to our youth in a safe and healthy environment.”