Preparations are well underway for the grand opening of the new Fort Frances High School next Wednesday, with a tour of the state-of-the-art facility planned from 4-5:30 p.m.
The grand opening also will feature a ribbon-cutting in the school foyer, along with two other special stops at the library and the Townshend Theatre.
“We are naming the library after a well-known, long-time teacher in the community,” FFHS principal Terry Ellwood noted yesterday. But he could not reveal the name as it is still pending board approval.
Meanwhile, a 15-20 minute revue featuring Fort High students is planned at the Townshend Theatre.
“We have a wide range of the performing arts represented at our school, and John Dutton has something lined up there,” Ellwood remarked.
Following the formalities, refreshments courtesy of Kathy’s Katering will be served in the cafeteria.
Ellwood said he hasn’t heard yet if invited dignitaries such as Premier Mike Harris, NDP leader and local MPP Howard Hampton, Education minister Janet Ecker will be attending the grand opening.
But municipal reps, construction company management, and the architects responsible for designing the school will be on hand, he noted.
Ellwood stressed everyone is welcome. “We want students to feel like they’re part of it,” he said.
“Although some may not come during the [ceremony], we’re planning on doing something for students, perhaps during the lunch hour that day, that will definitely show them they are an important part of the occasion,” he added.
Meanwhile, parents of students will get a chance to walk the halls the following evening (Oct. 14) during Parents’ Night from 7-9 p.m.
“We’re not going to have parent-teacher interviews in the gym this year. They’ll be in the classrooms, giving parents a chance to walk around a bit and see what we’ve done,” said Ellwood.
“We’ve invited students to come along with their parents–they will be able to tell them all about the building,” he remarked.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
