School board asks for your help in naming new schools

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

**************************** Algoma District School Board invites you to help name our new schools

SAULT STE. MARIE - (May 29) - This is a very exciting time for the Algoma District School Board (ADSB).

We are in the pre-construction phase of building two new schools in Sault Ste. Marie.  

As we get closer to putting the shovel in the ground, it is important to create an identity for each new school. 

Part of this identity involves selecting a school name.

“Building schools is not something our community gets to do very often. We want this process to be inclusive and we are sincere in our invitation to the community to be involved. This is public education and I feel the public has to have a voice in this process,” said Brenda O’Neill, principal at FH Clergue PS and member of the JK-8 School Naming Committee.

ADSB is inviting the community to submit names for the Grade 7-12 school to be built on North Street and the JK-8 French immersion elementary school on Weldon Ave. 

Two committees have been recently established, as per board policy (see www.adsb.on.ca/policies) and are comprised of two parent representatives of the school council, one superintendent of education, one student, one community member, two trustees, one principal, and one staff representative. 

The committees will oversee the submissions and will provide a report to the administrative council who will make  recommendations for naming the two schools to the board this fall.

While the school communities will be participating in a school naming campaign, the general public can enter their submissions for naming our new school online at www.newschools.adsb.on.ca. 

Entry forms can also be found in Sault This Week newspaper on Wednesday, June 3 and in the Sault Star on Saturday, June 6.

They will also be available for pick up or drop off at the ADSB Education Centre at 644 Albert Street East.  

They may be mailed also to: Algoma District School Board 644 Albert Street East Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2K7 ATTN: New School Naming Committee. 

Submissions will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Friday June 26, 2009.

ADSB Trustee Susan Thayer reiterated that the naming of the schools is open to the public: “We hope that the whole community will take the opportunity to be part of this exciting project. This really is a chance for everyone to play a part in naming a facility that will be an important part of the Sault Ste. Marie landscape.”  

Student Committee Representative, Elizabeth Antonello of Sir James Dunn Collegiate, echoed Trustee Thayer’s sentiments: “This is a great opportunity for students to have a voice. I would like to really encourage fellow students to take part in the naming process. After all, this will be our school!”

Martin Wyant, executive director of the YMCA, is both the chair and community member sitting on the secondary committee.

“I’m really pleased to be involved as a member of the community in such a historic effort. Our committee is looking forward to getting many creative responses.”

Rosedale Grade six student Laura Tomie, student committee representative, was excited about being involved: “This gives us an opportunity to take part in a really big event that will last into the future.”

While all names submitted will be considered, a process is being established by each committee to short-list. 

The short-list for both the Grade 7-12 and the JK-8 French immersion schools will be compiled over the summer for school communities to consider in the fall. 

It is anticipated that names will be brought forward for board approval in October 2009.

The Naming of Schools Policy outlines that the name for a school will be chosen from:

a) The name of street on which the school is located;

b) A feature of the district which the school serves;

c) An historical name that once applied to the area;

d) The name of a person (with appropriate permission) recognized as having made a significant contribution to the community, province or Canadian/international society; and or

e) Wording that is supportive of the board’s mission, vision and values and meets the best interests of the school’s students.

Participants submitting a name will also be asked to supply a rationale for the name they enter; simply why they believe this name should be considered and/or what is the importance/significance behind the name.

For the complete Algoma District School Board Naming Of Schools Policy please visit www.adsb.on.ca/policies. 

For further information on submitting an entry please contact Superintendent of Education Asima Vezina at 705-945-7236.

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