It’s official, Grade 5 and 6 students from Bridgewater Elementary School will move up to Bridgewater Junior High this September.
The issue was voted on at the South Shore Regional School Board’s December 13 meeting.
Superintendent Scott Milner says the move will leave room for a possible pre-primary class when the time comes but it will also address overcrowding.
“The other aspect of this move is that it balances utilization between the facilities which eases pressure at the elementary school to provide better programming for students,” says Milner.
Milner says programming will still be age appropriate for all students and some specialty instructors, like music and physical education teachers, will be able to be shared.
Bridgewater Elementary School will have 311 students this September and Bridgewater Junior High will have 332. Currently the elementary has 444 and BJHS has 199.
David Walker, vice-chair of BJHS’ School Advisory Committee, thanked the board for making the change, saying the SAC was in favour of the move.
‘I think with the capable leadership of the two principals and staff and with board support, we’re confident that come September there will be a smooth and efficient transition.”
Correction: CKBW incorrectly stated the number of students predicted to attend the schools. That has now been corrected. We apologize for the error.
