NEW K-5 SCHOOL IN PINEHOUSE

Students in Pinehouse and area have much to celebrate today. A sod turning

ceremony was held to kick off construction of a new K-5 elementary school in

Pinehouse.



"The Community School will serve as a central gathering place for young

students and community members with an Elder's Room and counselling areas,"

Education Minister Jim Melenchuk said. "The Northern Lights School Division,

community members and the provincial government all recognize the importance of

this new school for students in this area."



Community Schools build strong relationships with families and organizations

and work closely with the community to help ensure students have the supports

needed to succeed in school.



"The existing facility has served Pinehouse students very well. However, the

time has come to provide a more comfortable and modern educational facility for

the youngest students in this vibrant and growing community," Melenchuk added.



Saskatchewan Education and the school division will share the cost of the new

school. The total estimated cost of construction is $5.2 million. The

government will contribute an estimated $4.2 million.



The 2000-2001 Provincial Budget contains $29.2 million in financial support for

school capital projects. This includes $5 million from the government's new

Centenary Fund.



"This project demonstrates the government's commitment to work with school

divisions to provide students with comfortable and well-equipped learning

facilities," Melenchuk said. The construction of this new school is another

step toward achieving our goal of addressing our highest-priority school

projects."



The grades 6 - 12 students will continue to use the existing school facility.



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For more information, contact:



Cal Kirby

Saskatchewan Education

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-6040