New year, new school, first day: Grand River Public School opens in Fergus

FERGUS – School started on Sept. 3 for all students at the Upper Grand and Wellington Catholic school boards.

But for Grand River Public School students, it wasn't just a new school year, but a new school altogether.

The Fergus school opened as a JK to Grade 7 school and becomes JK to Grade 8 next year.

The school serves the new Storybrook subdivision. Until this year, students living there had been bused to other schools.

On Sept. 3, many families were able to walk or ride bikes – the bike rack was well-used and there were very few buses bringing students to school.

The building has capacity for 328 students, but exact enrolment numbers weren't known on Sept. 3 as more families move into the area.

Principal Brent Ellery said the building has some "cool features" such as a reflective roof, air source heat pumps, technology in every classroom and the layout "makes it full of natural light."

"A lot of thought went into the design of the building," he said.

An official school opening will be celebrated later this autumn.