“It was definitely a must to build this new school. Those buildings needed to be replaced,” said the Grade 1 teacher.
Rehill taught in the former Temperance Street school and then in Acadia Street school, which were both closed when the new school opened its doors in September.
She said many times at Acadia Street she would take her class to the gym, only to find buckets everywhere collecting water from the leaky ceiling. “On really bad days we couldn’t use the gym.”
NGA is a modern building with many amenities the other schools didn’t have, including a cafeteria.
“Acadia was very old and run down, with squeaky floors, leaking ceilings and no blinds on the windows,” she said. “Here it’s perfect. We have everything – beautiful classrooms, laptops, iPads, overhead projectors, a beautiful playground and gym. The whole school is fantastic.”
Although students have been in class at NGA since September, the official opening of the school took place Monday.
Principal Allison McNeil-Wilson said this is the traditional practice for a new school.
“The minister announces the date, and it’s as the school year happens because (when it first opens) there’s still construction going on.”
Along with the Temperance Street and Acadia Street schools, NGA replaced New Glasgow Junior High, and was constructed on the site of the junior high school.
“Our first year at New Glasgow Academy has been an exciting one,” said McNeil-Wilson. “We brought three schools together and the community we have built is an amazing one.”
The school features a totem pole in the lobby that incorporates symbols from the three former schools, reminding students about the new school’s heritage.
“Three separate schools came together with their own unique challenges and opportunities and together built a real community at New Glasgow Academy,” said Chignecto-Central Regional School Board chairperson Trudy Thompson.
She said the school has a positive atmosphere, which has a direct impact on student success. “That’s what I felt as soon as I walked through the front door. That spirit bubbles up all around you.”
New Glasgow Deputy Mayor Nancy Dicks said the new facility brought together the students and families of the former schools, along with A.G. Baillie Memorial graduates, to become one family with an already strong school spirit.
“New Glasgow Academy celebrates the cultures, heritages and traditions of our town in every aspect of its design and educational mantra, creating a welcoming and motivating place of learning and an inspiring community gathering place,” she said.
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey encouraged students to be steadfast in pursuing a goal, making reference to the 10 years of perseverance by many dedicated community members that resulted in the school becoming a reality. “When it is the right thing, it’s worth hanging onto. Keep that in your head and your heart – if it’s truly the right thing to do, don’t give up… stay on the road to what’s true to your heart.”
The province invested $18.1 million, with the enhancement committee raising $285,000 for additional footprint and non-footprint items, including upgrading the cafeteria, gym, music room and the natural play area. The school also features break-out rooms for group work, a science lab and tech-ed production lab. As well, NGA is targeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold designation.
“Any time we make investments in our youngest citizens, we all reap the rewards, “ said Casey. “Working with the community ensured a vibrant, new facility for students that will serve them well for years to come.”
During the ceremonies Monday morning, Casey unveiled a plaque that will be erected on the outside of the building to commemorate the school’s opening. Along with the education minister, local MLAs, students, representatives from the school board and the town of New Glasgow attended the morning festivities, which featured performances by the school’s concert band and choir.
A second event was held Monday evening with the school’s beginner band and Grades 3 to 5 choir, to which the public was invited. At both events, tours of the school took place and donors to the enhancement campaign were honoured.
On Twitter: @NGNewsCarol
“It was definitely a must to build this new school. Those buildings needed to be replaced,” said the Grade 1 teacher.
Rehill taught in the former Temperance Street school and then in Acadia Street school, which were both closed when the new school opened its doors in September.
She said many times at Acadia Street she would take her class to the gym, only to find buckets everywhere collecting water from the leaky ceiling. “On really bad days we couldn’t use the gym.”
NGA is a modern building with many amenities the other schools didn’t have, including a cafeteria.
“Acadia was very old and run down, with squeaky floors, leaking ceilings and no blinds on the windows,” she said. “Here it’s perfect. We have everything – beautiful classrooms, laptops, iPads, overhead projectors, a beautiful playground and gym. The whole school is fantastic.”
Although students have been in class at NGA since September, the official opening of the school took place Monday.
Principal Allison McNeil-Wilson said this is the traditional practice for a new school.
“The minister announces the date, and it’s as the school year happens because (when it first opens) there’s still construction going on.”
Along with the Temperance Street and Acadia Street schools, NGA replaced New Glasgow Junior High, and was constructed on the site of the junior high school.
“Our first year at New Glasgow Academy has been an exciting one,” said McNeil-Wilson. “We brought three schools together and the community we have built is an amazing one.”
The school features a totem pole in the lobby that incorporates symbols from the three former schools, reminding students about the new school’s heritage.
“Three separate schools came together with their own unique challenges and opportunities and together built a real community at New Glasgow Academy,” said Chignecto-Central Regional School Board chairperson Trudy Thompson.
She said the school has a positive atmosphere, which has a direct impact on student success. “That’s what I felt as soon as I walked through the front door. That spirit bubbles up all around you.”
New Glasgow Deputy Mayor Nancy Dicks said the new facility brought together the students and families of the former schools, along with A.G. Baillie Memorial graduates, to become one family with an already strong school spirit.
“New Glasgow Academy celebrates the cultures, heritages and traditions of our town in every aspect of its design and educational mantra, creating a welcoming and motivating place of learning and an inspiring community gathering place,” she said.
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey encouraged students to be steadfast in pursuing a goal, making reference to the 10 years of perseverance by many dedicated community members that resulted in the school becoming a reality. “When it is the right thing, it’s worth hanging onto. Keep that in your head and your heart – if it’s truly the right thing to do, don’t give up… stay on the road to what’s true to your heart.”
The province invested $18.1 million, with the enhancement committee raising $285,000 for additional footprint and non-footprint items, including upgrading the cafeteria, gym, music room and the natural play area. The school also features break-out rooms for group work, a science lab and tech-ed production lab. As well, NGA is targeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold designation.
“Any time we make investments in our youngest citizens, we all reap the rewards, “ said Casey. “Working with the community ensured a vibrant, new facility for students that will serve them well for years to come.”
During the ceremonies Monday morning, Casey unveiled a plaque that will be erected on the outside of the building to commemorate the school’s opening. Along with the education minister, local MLAs, students, representatives from the school board and the town of New Glasgow attended the morning festivities, which featured performances by the school’s concert band and choir.
A second event was held Monday evening with the school’s beginner band and Grades 3 to 5 choir, to which the public was invited. At both events, tours of the school took place and donors to the enhancement campaign were honoured.
On Twitter: @NGNewsCarol
