St. Joseph Elementary School recently blessed its newest relocatable classroom, marking an important milestone in the school’s ongoing expansion to accommodate growing enrolment.
The classroom, which opened at the start of the school year, is being used by Grade 7 students. A blessing ceremony was held on Oct. 30 with Father Arun Rodrigues presiding.
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Principal Nicole Blais said the school’s student population has increased significantly in the past year and a half, making the addition necessary.
“We’ve grown a lot,” said Blais. “We were at capacity where we needed to expand and we’re very fortunate the Lloydminster Catholic School Division felt that need as well and added a classroom over the summer. They worked very hard to make sure it was ready for us to start the year.”
Blais emphasized the additional space enhances student learning and well-being.
“It’s important to us to give our students a safe place to learn,” she said. “Having extra space means we aren’t feeling crowded and it gives us an opportunity to continue to grow.”
As part of the Catholic tradition, Father Rodrigues was invited to bless the new space.
Taylor Weaver – Meridian Source
“Being part of a Catholic school division, we always want Father to bless any new area added to our school,” Blais noted.
The new classroom is a relocatable unit, similar to a ready-to-move home, a type of learning space that has become increasingly common as schools adapt to fluctuating student populations.
“We have a few relocatables at St. Joe’s as the school has expanded,” said Blais. “Some have been added and taken away over the years as our population ebbs and flows.”
Blais said today’s classrooms provide space for hands-on learning, experiments, smaller class sizes and more meaningful student engagement.
“As we continue to grow, it’s great we get to impact more students every day,” she added. “We’re blessed to come to school and teach students about God and the importance of having Him in their lives.”
Lloydminster Catholic School Division board chair Paula Scott attended the event and praised students and staff.
“When I hear all the beautiful things you say about why you’re the light, you really are,” Scott said. “Your beautiful light shines so bright and we are so grateful for each one of you and your teachers.”
LCSD director of education, Glenda Kary, also shared a message of gratitude.
“We have a doorway that can remind us every time we come in or out to say, ‘Thank you, God.’ Thank you for friends, thank you for a kind teacher, thank you for a chance to learn together and to share and love.”
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