TVDSB to build in Havelock Corners

A new Woodstock school !

Finally, a new Woodstock school !

The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB.on.ca) issued a press release in December of 2021 announcing some basic parameters for a brand new JK - 8 public school in Woodstock. The brand new construction would be designed for 660 students with a small component for an in-house daycare (Pre-school).

The school would be appearing in the Havelock Corners subdivision. The TVDSB has been placing many children on a bus to Hickson Public School for many years and after conducting a thorough accommodation review of existing schools in the Friendly City, the board is finally prepared to move forward. 

In the world of waiting for bread crumbs, the even bigger announcement had to wait until last week (Oct. 27) when the school board hosted a virtual public meeting to reveal the exact location (It truly was not a secret when you look at the subdivision maps) and architects 'basic concept drawings' as prepared by JP Thomson Architects based in Windsor.  

The land parcel is about 8 acres and the final construction costs will be in the range of $17.5 million.

As we realize, Woodstock is growing quickly and by the time this school opens its doors, we could have a population above 50,000.  Dividing 660 by 10 grades results in a quick math of 66 students per grade or 3 classrooms for each age. I would hope that the land set aside in the Havelock Corners subdivision (see map) will be large enough as the city moves eastward through the former Woodstock Meadows golf course and then farther east to County Road 4.

The Design Stage for the yet-to-be-named school was approved through a process committee. I would expect an exact ingredient list will be modified before backhoes arrive as technology, a gymnasium, library, accessibility concerns, and other amenities will be analyzed and shuffled, rectified, re-drawn and re-considered before the blueprints are finalized.

In London, meanwhile, the TVDSB has witnessed a controversy at 5-year-old school Sir Arthur Currie in the northwest of the Forest City as it was built for 530 pupils but as the area grew quickly enrollment is now 950, so the newish elementary learning building on Buroak Drive has a dozen portables already.

As the weeks transpire and new press releases reveal more details, I'm hoping there will be a name-the-school contest open to everyone in Woodstock to participate in. Do you have any ideas? I certainly do, but I will keep my wish name quiet for now. 

TVDSB Original Announcement For Woodstock

Posted: Tuesday, December 7, 2021

New school in Woodstock announced

The Ministry of Education has announced funding for a new elementary school and child care centre in north Woodstock. 

“This is great news for students, families and community members in Oxford County,” said Thames Valley Education Director Mark Fisher. “This is a major milestone for the community, and we are very excited to support Woodstock with a much-needed elementary school and licensed child care facility.”

The $17.5-million project includes a new school for 660 pupils, and a five-room child care centre for 88 infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

“The recent Attendance Area Review that was approved by Trustees helped to balance enrolment at existing schools in Woodstock, paving the way for approval of this new school,” said TVDSB Board Chair Lori-Ann Pizzolato, who praised Oxford Trustees Barb Yeoman and Graham Hart for their leadership and community engagement during the review. 

“We are so pleased with Ministry of Education’s support for our students and their families,” added Chair Pizzolato.

The project is part of a provincewide investment of more than $600 million to support new school and child care spaces that were recently announced by Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. 

“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made safer schools a priority, which is why we continue to invest in modern and accessible learning spaces with improved ventilation,” said Minister Lecce. “This investment is part of our multi-year plan to build, expand, and update schools and child care spaces across our province. It will leave a lasting legacy that benefits working families for years to come.”

“The new north Woodstock elementary school is great news for our community,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “This investment will provide choice and flexibility for families and new opportunities for the children of north Woodstock.”  

LINKS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WaXt-qvsnw   

https://www.tvdsb.ca/en/our-board/new-woodstock-school.aspx

https://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/news/new-public-school-announced-for-north-woodstock

https://www.tvdsb.ca/en/woodstock-attendance-area-review.aspx

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/arthur-currie-school-portables-1.6040904

Note: The pictures here were originally posted on Facebook last week by 

Susannah Wopereis of Woodstock by snipping shots from the virtual meeting.  

Woodstock Meadows subdivision as proposed

()()()()()()()

Thanks again for re-electing Mark Schadenberg

to Woodstock City Council

Contact me at (519) 532-2068 or 537-1553

Email: mschadenberg@cityofwoodstock.ca