Remembering the past, welcoming the future

With a new school to be constructed, École Wedgeport also honours the importance of the old school

There are a lot of emotions that come with the construction of a new school – excitement and anticipation being among them.

But there are other feelings for the old school that is being replaced – these speak to the nostalgia and history being left behind.

Such is the case at École Wedgeport in Yarmouth County where after years of hoping, pushing, and stating the long-overdue need, construction of a new elementary school is underway.

Still, there are mixed emotions at this Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) school. The old school has been an important part of the community.

Because of this, a keepsake booklet – written in French as this is a Francophone/Acadian school and village – had been created for students and families. It explores not only the history of the school, but also the history of Wedgeport. This history includes companies and industries, new and old, that operate in Wedgeport. Unique trivia, unique visitors and unique moments in time are also explored.

It looks back at the polio vaccine trial in 1962, the sinking of the Silver King in 1967, the heydays of the international tuna tournaments, and more.

There are also contributions from current students through photographs and written passages.

The idea for the booklet came about years ago from Blair Boudreau, a former principal of the school.

“I knew that the school was going to be closing and I've done other books,” he says. “I thought this would be another way for the students to learn their culture and to have fun reading, because I want them to continue reading and learning.”

Boudreau spent countless hours researching and writing the book, but it was worth it, he says.

Partly because of the COVID pandemic, things took a lot longer than first anticipated. Originally the idea was to complete the project in one year, but it took close to four.

Boudreau only saw the final product on June 21, the same day students of the school did. He was very pleased with the final result.

École Wedgeport principal Angèle Marr says the booklet will be a nice keepsake. She says it's especially nice because there was student, community and staff involvement in creating it.

“I'm really proud of it. A lot of work and effort put into it,” she says. “It talks a lot about the village, which has a rich history, and the school does as well.”

The June 21 unveiling of the book was also a celebration of the school for another reason. It also marked an official unveiling of the school's nature trail, which has been enhanced as an outdoor play and learning area with obstacles, gathering spots and play areas. The work, which was carried out by Cobequid consultants, came about after students were asked about what improvements they'd like to see at the school. Many wanted to see the trail become a more interactive play and

learning area.

Meanwhile, although never forgetting the importance the current school has had for many generations of families, the construction of a new school will bring about many modern and spacious improvements that people can't wait to see.

“I know it's going to be a loss for the community when the old school goes down. There are some students that are sad, and there are people in the community that are sad, we understand that,” Marr says. “But it's also exciting because we're going to be in a new building. We're still going to be in the same area and we're still going to be able to use the playground and the trail.”

She notes old schools, like this one that opened in the early 1960s, were never set up for the technology that exists in schools nowadays. The layout of the current school also lacks some functionality.

“The new design is going to much more modern. Lots of soundproofing as well, which is nice, because now if you go in the cafeteria and it can be very loud,” she says. “And lots of shared learning spaces, which is something that's big and important now, but back in 1962 wasn't really something that people thought about.”

She and others are also hopeful the new school will bring about other benefits too.

The existing school has 85 students. The new elementary school will be able to accommodate up to 150.

“So room to grow,” Marr says. “We're hoping the new school is going to help us attract new families to Wedgeport because it's a very nice community to live in.”