Langley’s newest elementary school will be open on time and on budget in September.
“There is excitement building around the opening of Lynn Fripps Elementary,” said Claire Guy, Langley School District assistant superintendent at last Tuesday’s (April 17) meeting.
Drywall is already up and equipment and furniture is ordered.
Guy said all but two of the 124 R.C. Garnett Elementary Grade 4 and 5 students have sent in their forms agreeing to attend Lynn Fripps.
Total enrolment for the school so far is 383 students, with 42 Kindergarten students and 103 Grade 6ers.
Capacity for the school is 510 students.
R.C. Garnett is being turned into a K-5 school next year. All the Grade 6 and 7 students will be bused to Lynn Fripps.
Guy said a transition team made up of principals from both schools, teachers, parents, support staff and even students is in place now.
It will work with R.C. Garnett parents to work out the logistics of getting the 122 students from the Willoughby slope area to 21020 83 Avenue in Yorkson.
“The PAC is formed but not elected. We had 60 parents there,” Guy said.
“I have to applaud the parents in the Willoughby region for donating items and sharing ideas to help Lynn Fripps.”
A district survey showed that parents wanted early learning initiatives at the school so before and after school care, preschool and daycare has been chosen.
Precious Moments met all of the district’s criteria, said Guy. They currently run out of Parkside Elementary but will be expanding to Lynn Fripps.
The provincial government has paid to build one playground but the new PAC will have to fundraise to build another.
But they will start with a nice nest egg, said district secretary-treasurer David Green.
The general contractor and the architect have donated money for a second playground.
The school was named after Fripps, a wife and mother of three boys, who was a devoted volunteer in Aldergrove, but lost her battle with cancer in 2005.