February 18, 2014
Anne J. MacArthur Public School staff welcomed nearly 800 Grade 1-8 students to their new building in Milton today with a warm applause and a message of unity and promise.
Students were all smiles as a snowy morning greeted their first day at the 820 Farmstead Drive school. Principal Kathy McArthur says she is looking forward making the rest of this school year and the proceeding years as fulfilling as possible.
“I want students to feel they are part of this brand new community that we have started,” she says, while holding a picture of the school’s namesake she was presented by the Milton Historical Society. “I’m just hoping everyone has a wonderful day.”
She says one of the things she is excited to do is make the school a community hub. The goal is to use the gym and library for coffee and tea chats in the mornings and literacy and math evenings for parents to participate.
“We want the community to feel they are welcome at the school any time.”
Also, the school is using a youth settlement worker to help new families connect with the community, McArthur adds.
Students and parents are excited about moving into a new building.
Parent Alana Moore, whose son Caden is in Grade 1, says “awesome things are going to happen” at the school.
“I think everyone is excited,” she says.
“I like the new school,” Caden adds. “I have a bigger gym.”
On Saturday, April 26, 2014, a community event will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. celebrating the new school. A highlight of the event will include the creation of a time capsule to be opened later in the future.
Other activities include carnival-style games, refreshments, bouncy castle, clowns, caricature artist, face painting, Mehndi art, Parent Council information center, vendor tables, a Me to We booth, Spirit Wear, artwork, silent auction, a 50/50 Draw, cake, sale of annuals (plants/flowers), a world map demonstrating the heritage of students at the school, and the taking of an aerial photo of the school and students and staff.
The school community has been temporarily accommodated in the former E.C. Drury High School building while the new building was under construction.