A high school in Mistissini, Quebec, within the Cree community, is set to reopen on Monday after being closed for a week due to concerns about the building’s structural stability following a noticeable shift. Staff at Voyageur Memorial High School sensed movement in the building on August 26, leading to a temporary closure for structural assessment by engineers. The engineers have now confirmed the safety of the building, allowing the school to resume operations on September 8.
Sarah Pash, the chairperson of the Cree School Board, reassured that such ground shifts are not uncommon and expressed confidence in the safety of the school for the return of staff and students. The school, established in 1988, comprises three levels with a gymnasium on the ground floor, a library on the second floor, and classrooms spread across all levels, accommodating over 300 students from grades 7 to 11.
Despite the disruption caused by the closure, Pash mentioned that the school distributed laptops on September 2 and conducted online classes from September 2 to 5 to ensure students could continue their learning. Pash also noted that the timing of the closure at the beginning of the academic year allows students to catch up more effectively compared to closer to exam periods.
Safety remains a top priority for the school board, with regular maintenance and inspections in place to ensure the well-being of students and staff. Pash stressed the importance of maintaining building standards to avoid future concerns. The incident in Mistissini has underscored the need for upgrades and modernizations in Cree communities, with the Cree School Board advocating for government funding to enhance school facilities for improved student learning.
Collaborating with the Quebec government, the Cree School Board is working towards a proposal for a new school in Mistissini, aiming to address long-term educational infrastructure needs. Pash affirmed their commitment to advocating for necessary improvements and fostering partnerships to realize a new school building in the future.
