Tecumseh's new Beacon Heights Public School impresses
Lauren St. Louis and three other school mates shared in the first announcements at the new Beacon Heights Public School in Tecumseh Tuesday morning.
“It's really nice in here,” said the grade 7 student who is one of around 570 students at the school, which replaces DM Eagle.
Her classmate Oliver Hawkeswood was looking forward to the first day of school. “I'm so excited,” Hawkeswood told CTV News. “I really want to meet my teacher. It’s a new school, just a new environment. Can't wait.”
The public school is one of two, including Erie Migration District School, to open in the region Tuesday.
Students from Tecumseh Vista’s English track moved to Beacon Heights.
“I really liked DM Eagle too, but I'm really excited for this school,” said student Harper Hill.
Students arrive for their first day of class at Tecumseh's newest school - Beacon Heights, September 3, 2024 (Bob Bellacicco/CTV News Windsor)
Rob Romano was equally excited, “What I've looked forward to most is obviously just watching the students and seeing their expressions,” said Romano, who was principal of DM Eagle. “It's like their birthdays today. They walk in and seeing their faces, seeing everything fresh.”
The bigger school has more capacity and can hold up to 650 students, which is double the size of DM Eagle, and has about 570 currently registered. “It's like a lot bigger than our old school,” said St. Louis. “There's a lot of kids, so it's just like a big change from our last school.”
Students and parents alike raved about the new school.
“The air conditioning. We didn't have air in our last school at all,” St. Louis said.
Melissa Bondy dropped off her twins, who are in JK. “The gym was a huge selling factor for my kids,” Bonday said. “They love the gym. The JK rooms are amazing, you know, the way they have them set up and really easy for the kids.”
The gym has a high ceiling, and a giant scoreboard with the school logo on it. It can also accommodate pickleball when it becomes available to rent.
“We're looking forward to having our first assembly on Friday or early next week with the new sound system and the projector,” Romano said.
Every classroom has a digital chalkboard helping students focus on learning. There's still some work to do inside and outside where the playground is being groomed. It will eventually be a space available to the public when finished.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada, pilots reach tentative deal, averting work stoppage
Passengers with plans to fly on Canada's largest airline can breathe a sigh of relief after Air Canada said Sunday it has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing more than 5,200 of its pilots.
'The Life of Chuck' wins the TIFF People's Choice Award
'The Life of Chuck,' an offbeat film by writer-director Mike Flanagan, wins the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
What are your rights as a neighbour in Canada?
If you have beef with your neighbour and you feel it's gone too far, what should you do? A personal injury lawyer has some advice.
Tuesday's Lotto Max draw set to hit all-time Canadian record of $80 million after no Friday winner
In a Canadian lotto first, the national Lotto Max jackpot has reached an estimated $80 million prize.
They came from Jamaica for work, now they're homeless and out thousands of dollars in lost wages
Abuse of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program has left a group of carpenters from Jamaica 'destitute' after an Ottawa company refused to pay them for nearly half a year of work.
Canada's Eugene and Dan Levy set to become first father-son duo to host Emmys
The stars and co-creators of CBC's 'Schitt's Creek' take the reins as several Canadians compete for trophies, including D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai and Martin Short.
New evidence upends contentious Easter Island theory, scientists say
Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, never experienced a ruinous population collapse, according to an analysis of ancient DNA from 15 former inhabitants of the remote island in the Pacific Ocean.
Montreal bars, restaurants react to Quebec bill to regulate merchant tipping requests
Quebec tabled a bill on Thursday that would regulate how merchants determine suggested tips, forcing businesses to calculate them based on the price before tax. Restaurant staff and management are divided on the policy.
Queen Victoria's favourite Tuscan villa for sale for more than US$55 million
Once a favoured holiday destination for Queen Victoria, and reputedly described in one of the greatest works of Italian literature, the Villa Palmieri is steeped in history and could now be yours – if you have more than €50 million (US$55 million) lying around.