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OLIVER – Education and community services will be brought together in a single hub as Southern Okanagan Secondary becomes part of the Neighbourhoods of Learning initiative, Penticton-Okanagan Valley MLA Bill Barisoff announced today.
“Oliver’s secondary school has a legacy that will be strengthened through Neighbourhoods of Learning,” said Barisoff. “The renovation of Southern Okanagan Secondary is an excellent opportunity to formalize the school’s central role by creating space for community services and programs.”
Under the Neighbourhoods of Learning concept, schools become community facilities as well as learning spaces. Possible uses include early learning or child-care programs, space for non-profit organizations, health clinics, sports programs, family resource or seniors’ centres, industry training, or branch libraries. The Okanagan-Similkameen school district will consult with community and education partners to determine which services can be offered on site to benefit students and the community.
“I'm very pleased the ministry has chosen Southern Okanagan Secondary and the community of Oliver for one of the five Neighbourhoods of Learning model schools in the province,” said Okanagan-Similkameen board chair June Harrington. “With our recent announcement on the Southern Okanagan Secondary capital project, this now will allow us to retain and refurbish the school's important south wing for future use by the school and the community.”
In September 2008, the Province announced the Neighbourhoods of Learning model schools initiative. The first school district, Vancouver, is developing neighbourhoods of learning at Queen Mary Elementary, General Gordon Elementary and Lord Strathcona Elementary. Okanagan-Similkameen joins Alberni and Powell River as the first rural school districts to develop neighbourhoods of learning schools.
“The ministry will look at all new and existing school capital projects to determine if Neighbourhoods of Learning elements can be worked into their construction,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “Model schools like Southern Okanagan Secondary will provide the blueprint that other school districts and communities can follow.”
Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $4.8 million in capital projects for the Okanagan-Similkameen school district, including the replacement of Osoyoos Elementary and an addition to Okanagan Falls Elementary.
The Province has spent over $1.4 billion to complete 73 new and replacement schools, 147 additions, 25 renovation projects and 20 site acquisitions since 2001. By the end of 2008-09, the Province will have invested more than 3.1 billion in school capital and maintenance projects. As outlined by Premier Gordon Campbell, all new school construction projects will include B.C. wood in their construction whenever possible.
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Ministry of Education 250 356-5963 |
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