By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

Work wrapping up on one school, starting on another

Aug 25, 2017 | 11:43 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Some Taber kids are going to have a different school experience, when they head back to class Sept. 5.

A modernization project is underway at St. Patrick’s School. While the early learning-grade five facility is completely gutted and renovated, Chris Smeaton, superintendent of the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic school division, explains students will attend a temporary facility on the grounds of St. Mary’s School. It’s built entirely out of modular classrooms, and kids will have access to the St. Mary’s library and gym.

Smeaton is excited about the changings coming to St. Patrick’s, with more open spaces.

“Instead of having the typical old library it’s more of a learning commons where kids are expected to be there,” he explained. “Classrooms are open to each other so there’s lots of work between grades, and multi-grade. Just those type of things that, instead of a buidling looking like an institution, it’s far more welcoming as a learning environment.”

The school division has completed similar renovations at St. Michael’s School in Pincher Creek.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

12h ago

Week-in-review: Street sweeping, policing in Coaldale and #SlowYourRoll

Apr 13, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 12, 2024

Apr 12, 2024

“That community’s going to walk into a brand new, modernized building. So we’re very excited about that,” Smeaton said. That project was done in two phases, and students were already in the first phase while the rest of the work was done.

Holy Spirit is entering the second year of its three-year education plan, which Smeaton says includes a big focus on literacy and numeracy, especially for kindergarten to grade three.

“We know if we get kids, to ensure that they have those strong foundational skills at the beginning, that they’re going to be successful as they go through school and can graduate,” Smeaton said. Other components are an emphasis on faith and ensuring the same level of achievement among Aboriginal students.

As with most other school divisions, Holy Spirit students will return to class Sept. 5.