Begbie View Elementary School was officially opened during a ceremony on Thursday afternoon.
The opening is closes a remarkable chapter in local educational history that saw RSS tore down and replaced and the closure of Mount View and Mount Begbie Elementary Schools and their replacement by the brand new and state-of-the-art school.
Here are some images from the opening and the open house that was held at the school from 4 until 8:
The massed voices of the Begbie View Elementary School Children’s Choir led visitors, educators and officials in singing O Canada at the start of BVE’s official opening ceremony on Thursday afternoon. David F. Rooney photoDoug Stewart, director of Capital Management for the BC Ministry of Education, tells the crowd how pleased Education Minister Don McRae is the the way the new school project turned out. Although McRae could not be here for the opening, he said in a statement that: “Begbie View Elementary is an excellent example of our vision for Neighbourhood Learning Centres—offering services to families while providing a modern, safe facility that supports student learning. Congratulations to the school board and our partners on this beautiful school.” David F. Rooney photoMike Hooker, SD 19’s superintendent-designate, SD 19 Chairman Alan Chell, Mayor David Raven, BVE Principal Shan Jorgenson-Adam, Revelstoke Acrobats President Kevin Bollefer, Childcare Society Linda Chell and Superintendent Anne Cooper listen as Doug Stewart speaks. David F. Rooney photoGrade One Teacher Colleen Wall played for the choir. David F. Rooney photoThe choir, led by Naomi Ford and Ashley Dollar, sang beautifully. David F. Rooney photoStudents Juiliana Carter and Brayden Folden spoke from the heart about students’ reaction to the amazing new school environment at BVE. David F. Rooney photoFor Superintendent Anne Cooper, who will be retiring next year, the conclusion of the new schools’ project caps a career that shepherded Revelstoke’s SD 19, its students and the rest of the community into a leadership position in the province when it comes to innovative and effective approaches to education. David F. Rooney photoJuiliana and Brayden were invited to unveil BVE’s brand new logo, which was designed by Sarah Mickel. David F. Rooney photoThey pulled on the ribbons and… voila! David F. Rooney photoAcrobats President Kevin Bollefer, ably assisted by Anne Cooper, prepares to cut the banner across the door the team’s amazing new facility. The team now has 300 members — way, way up from last year’s 100 members. David F. Rooney photoThe Childcare Society’s Linda Chell prepares to do a little snipping of her own. The society and its close allies in the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy and associated groups played a key role in developing the Strong Start Program and other programs that are incorporated in the the Neighbourhood of Learning facility attached to BVE. The NoL is BC’s first. David F. Rooney photoAfter the ceremony, people had an opportunity to schmooze and socialize. David F. Rooney photoLisa Moore (left), education assistant for the Aboriginal Education program, enjoyed the opening (and, indeed, officially welcomed it as a spokeswoman for aboriginal education in Revelstoke) with her friend Michelle Cole, acting executive director of the Railway Museum. David F. Rooney photoLucie Bergeron examines the offerings at the silent auction held during the late-afternoon open house at BVE. David F. Rooney photoParents and grandparents were eager to see performances by youth Acrobats’ team members. David F. Rooney photo
