NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2012EDUC0007-000037 Jan. 18, 2012

Ministry of Education

 

Sunnyside Elementary set to grow, relocate

 

SURREY – Students in the rapidly growing Grandview Heights neighbourhood will soon be able to attend a brand-new and expanded replacement school early next year.

 

The Province has signed an agreement with the Surrey school district (SD 36) worth more than $12.8 million to relocate the current Sunnyside Elementary school to a new site. This new school will offer 80 additional full-day kindergarten spaces and 100 more elementary spaces. It will also be home to a Neighbourhood Learning Centre, and will host Montessori school components.

 

Surrey is one of the fastest-growing school districts in B.C., growing by 10,700 students in the last decade, and is expected to continue growing with about 1,000 students annually. This new school will be found in a more accessible neighbourhood and will help meet the high enrolment demands of this South Surrey neighbourhood.

 

 

Quotes:

 

Minister of Education George Abbott –

“With nearly 1,000 students joining this school district every year, the new Sunnyside Elementary school will provide increased learning opportunities for local students while meeting continued enrolment demands.”

 

Surrey board of education chair Laurae McNally –

“We are very excited for this new school and the Neighbourhood Learning Centre it provides for the area. Parents, and in fact the entire community, have been very patient, and our board is anxious to get construction completed as quickly as possible.”

 

 

Quick Facts:

 

·      The replacement school will be built to LEED gold environmental standards.

·      The Surrey school district has grown by 60 per cent elementary students and 40 per cent secondary students in the past year.

·      Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $243 million for 49 capital and seismic projects and eight site acquisitions in the Surrey school district.

·      In addition, the Province is investing more than $25.8 million for additional space for full-day kindergarten.

 

 

Learn More:

 

·      To learn about BC’s Education Plan, visit: www.bcedplan.ca

·      For information about Sunnyside Elementary, visit: http://fcweb.sd36.bc.ca/schoolwebsites/Sunnyside-Web/

·      Read more on Neighbourhood Learning Centres: http://www.neighbourhoodlearningcentres.gov.bc.ca/

 

 

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement Ministry of Education 250 356-5963

 

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect