Posted September 19, 2104
Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) is excited about the facility renewal advancements being made to create an outstanding learning environment at Harmony Public School.
A letter will be going home to Harmony families this afternoon.
This week, Mandy Savery-Whiteway, Director of Education, along with other senior staff, have continued to work closely with the contractor, architect and board personnel with the goal of obtaining occupancy within the three-week timeline shared in earlier communications.
Unforeseen challenges have occurred throughout construction of this rural school. Some issues that have caused delays are related to fire safety, water and septic systems. School board officials have worked to address each new challenge as quickly as possible in order to keep on pace for completion. Student and staff safety have always been the first priority throughout this process.
"We have been well supported by all who are working with us to ensure our building is fully compliant and safe. While we are close to achieving occupancy and are anxious to get into our new school, we cannot rush this important work. I respect the need for families to have a clear outline of timelines and plans," stated Mandy Savery-Whiteway, Director of Education.
While a number of building inspections are anticipated over the next week, school board officials are unable to say with certainty that occupancy, which is our ability to safely occupy the school, will be granted by the end of September.
As a result of the most current information available, the existing arrangements for students and staff at the three alternative Harmony school sites in Belleville will continue until Friday, October 24, 2014. These additional weeks will allow time for building inspections to take place and to address any issues which may arise as part of that process.
Students will attend the new Harmony Public School on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 (Monday, October 27 is a PA Day). This date has been chosen to ensure that stable learning environments, routines and activities are maintained. It will also allow the school to be in a state of readiness for students without programming being affected in a significant way.
"It is important to me to give families time to plan ahead," stated Savery-Whiteway.
The Director of Education and senior staff will continue to visit the new school regularly. Some site work, such as completion of landscaping, will be ongoing into late October. As well, some work on the gym and learning commons (library) areas may still occur even after occupancy is granted. It is anticipated this work will be minimized through the extended time for construction.
Confirmation of occupancy will be shared as soon as it is received.
For more information, please contact:
Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, 613-966-1170 or 1 800 267-4350, extension 2354, [email protected]