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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-11-14, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013. PAGE 13. School honours fallen police officers at opening Continued from page 1 podium, explaining she felt much more than excitement at finally being able to say the school is open for business. She thanked the municipalities of North Huron and Morris-Turnberry for the work they did for their “youngest citizens” and said it was a difficult process going from conception to opening the new school. “I’m very proud for all of our staff both at the board level and in the school who have put in many, many hours, well above and beyond their duties, to insure this institution will be a perfect place to learn,” she said. Schenk stated when she was first named a trustee 19 years ago, she would never have thought there would be the chance for her community to recognize the opening of such a facility. “I never would have dreamed that our community would have the opportunity to house such a magnificent institution,” she said. “One that promotes an education beyond the 21st century, one that affords our community a fine place to grow and play, one that demonstrates good environmental stewardship and one that opens its door and its heart to all ages.” She then said she was pleased, delighted, honoured and humbled to declare MRES officially opened. Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson also commented on how “amazing” the building is and how fortunate the students are to be able to attend school there. “It must have been thrilling the first day you walked through these doors and were greeted by your principal and speakers because, what a phenomenal institution that you have the honour of breaking in,” she said. She presented a scroll ofcongratulations to Joshua Pham, a member of the student council for MRES, and said the school represented “beautiful opportunities” for all the communities it serves. She also handed Pham an Ontario flag for the student council to use. North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent took to the stage next, saying it was his pleasure to thank everyone for their hard work in getting the school open. “This is a big day because the history in this area says, you open a school every 40 to 60 years,” he said. “You made it to this opening. It’s great for the students and North Huron is proud to be a strong supporter of the school and of the things that happen here.” Morris-Turnberry Mayor Paul Gowing followed, stating he was pleased to bringing salutations on behalf of his community to everyone involved. “I congratulate the AMDSB on the opening of this new MRES,” he said. “You picked a great location, creating an educational hub here in North Huron County.” He said that, aside from the spacious, bright building, the students, teachers and staff create a light there as well. “This is so important because it’s the people here that create the great atmosphere that we know within these walls,” he said. “That atmosphere is a great one to learn and grow with. I also commend the Avon-Maitland School board for having this open house at this time. You’ve let the students and staff get settled comfortably in this new facility, putting them first is the way it should be.” He said the school was a great addition to the board as it was built with the most up-to-date technology and offered ample room to grow. “It’s a facility we all should be proud of,” he said. “It will serve our children and our community for many, many years to come.” Ted Doherty, the Director of Education for the AMDSB, spoke next, echoing the words of Vincent in saying schools don’t open often in the area. He said this was the second school opening in the last 20 years and that, after one more opening shortly, there likely wouldn’t be any others for quite some time. “This is a very, very, very big day,” he said. Doherty then thanked the original landowners, Devlin Construction, external consultants including engineering firms, facility staff, transition experts, IT experts, staff at MRES and custodial staff. He also said that, of all the consolidation projects, this one was the most difficult and said praise was due to those who helped complete it. “This was a unique project,” he said, stating the school had consolidated twice, first from five schools to two, and then, this year, from two schools to one. “It’s a lot of work,” he said. “This has been the most complex transition we’ve ever gone through. This is the result of all that work.” Other speakers included MaggieSpeer, vice-chair of the school’s parent council and Terry Marklevitz, one of the engineers involved with the creation of the school, who explained the newest addition to the school, the large metal tree placed in memory of all fallen OPP officers, including Constable Vu Pham, whose son Joshua is a student at the school. Vu Pham was killed during an a traffic stop in Huron East three years ago. The tree was indicative of a story Joshua had told involving him and his father and a tree the younger Pham had fallen out of. For full video coverage of the event, visit The Citizen’s website at northhuron.on.ca 44229 Amberley Road west of Molesworth 519-291-4643 www.old86famersmarket.com Monday - Saturday 9 am - 6 pm Sunday 10 am - 5 pm Christmas in the Country November 22-24 20%off Home & Garden and Christmas Décor Fresh cedar roping, wreaths and Christmas patio pots Remembering their roots When visitors arrive at Maitland River Elementary School, the first thing they see, besides the building, will be this monument to fallen OPP officers. Inspired by a story told by Joshua Pham, a student of the school and son of slain OPP Constable Vu Pham, the tree is a reminder of those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. (Denny Scott photo) Unveiling history Maitland River Elementary School student council leader Joshua Pham, right, and Avon Maitland District School Board Chair and Colleen Schenk, left, unveiled a plaque commemorating the construction of the new school during a special grand opening at the facility last week. (Denny Scott photo)