Powell River Christian School (PRCS) principal and staff opened the new campus for everyone to see Wednesday August 28 and students began their first classes September 3.
More than 300 people attended the event at the old Grief Point Elementary School. Teachers and staff welcomed returning students, their families and the public.
“We thought that if we get 100 people we’d be happy,” said school principal Karl Kruse. “This is just unbelievable.”
Kruse said a lot of neighbours came to visit and told him that they were happy that the building was still being used as a school. Kruse said he is thankful for the warm welcome from the neighbourhood. “It’s been an amazing process,” he said.
The school moved in July and volunteers worked over the summer to freshen up the well-used elementary school.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” said the principal, “coming from the other school and having to renovate.”
Students’ parents and community members helped to paint the inside and out of the school as well as install new carpets and flooring. “We have the room here now,” he said.
For eight years PRCS was located in the same facility as École Côte du Soleil, the French school in the former JP Dallos Elementary School on Michigan Avenue where space was at a premium. The new space has allowed the school to set up a computer lab, develop its library collection and expand its preschool program. Increased space also will allow the private school to branch out and increase its enrolment with a view of creating grade 10, 11 and 12 classes.
He said that the school has already hired two new teachers for the fall and will have an art teacher.
Kruse said the school is continuing to conduct interviews for new students so he does not know yet how many students will be enrolled in September. He estimates that enrolment is up 15 to 20 students from last year.
The principal added that he plans on having the students engage in community projects, that he calls “kingdom projects” this year.
Although there is a new location, the school’s curriculum and core values of providing “a Christ-centred education” will remain the same.“We feel very blessed,” Kruse said.
For more information about the PRCS, readers can visit its website.
