Stawamus Elementary School staff, students, families and alumni gathered at the institution’s grounds on Wednesday, June 24 to say goodbye to their beloved “little school with the big heart.”
Beginning in fall, Stawamus will no longer function as a traditional elementary school. The Sea to Sky school district voted in March to discontinue the school in its current configuration and try to grow enrolment by offering two programs of choice: Cultural Journeys and Learning Expeditions.
The Squamish Nation-inspired Cultural Journeys for students in kindergarten to Grade 6 is an outdoor-based program that focuses on First Nations culture. Learning Expeditions, for students in Grades 7-12, offers project-based learning that involves critical thinking, collaboration and presentations.
“I know we are calling this a farewell,” Rick Price, SD48 chair of the board of education, said at the event.
“But I prefer to call this a celebration. One of the things we are celebrating is that we are not closing a school.
“We are delighted to be able to have found a solution that includes not closing a school in this district, but rather offering new and dynamic ways of learning.”
However, many at the event lamented the loss of a school community that has thrived for the 59 years since the school originally opened.
“Stawamus Elementary has certainly had its share of great sports teams, musical talent and notable alumni,” said principal Juanita Coltman.
“But we will all remember first and foremost the feeling of family at this school.”
She acknowledged saying goodbye to the school in its current incarnation was emotional.
“After 59 years, the Stawamus school sign is coming down,” she said, offering those gathered a story about the inevitability of change.
“But change is hard, so tonight is a night of reflection. The good times will live on in our memories.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Kindergarten teacher Sarah Jajic, who had taught at the school for 26 years.
She ran through a memory-laden “ABCs” of Stawamus Elementary, from how “amazing” it has been working at the small school to how much of a “zoo” it could be at times.
Former principal Angela Uren was also on hand at the event to bid farewell to her former school.
“We were the best kept secret in Squamish,” she said of the school. “Everyone truly cared about each other here. We were a family, working hard to accomplish some great things… and we did accomplish great things.”
Uren described being a student herself at the school and eventually returning as principal for eight years.
“It was interesting transitioning from a student to becoming principal,” she said. “And having to talk to students about things they were doing that I also did when I was a student.”
She told those in the audience to continue to “dream big.”
“That matters,” she said.
“And I am confident that Stawamus Elementary will live on in everyone’s hearts forever.”
The farewell celebration also included drumming and dancing from Squamish Nation’s Welh Tima Kexwusem dance group, live music from Squamish band The Overcomers and a potluck barbecue.
