Students at Sen Pok Chin school have taken proud ownership of a new expansion project announced Monday.
Several pupils jumped in to cut the ribbon with Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie, who helped celebrate the opening of the new school wing.
There are two new classrooms for Grades 4-7 as well as two new offices for speech and art therapy.
Grade 6-7 teacher Kim Moffat said the students are working to become leaders since completing the “Leader In Me” program.
“They are taking on the responsibility of having their own wing to themselves.”
Students Billy J. Hall and Samantha Beatty said they love the new classrooms because they are more spacious, clean and quiet. They promised to take care of the new wing.
Principal Heather Kelliher said the school was originally built in 1998 with 23 students. Today there are 84 students, she pointed out.
Chief Louie thanked the students after their speech and their performance of the Okanagan song.
“You kids are awesome speakers and awesome singers.”
He also thanked the band council, Greyback Construction, School District 53 and everyone else involved in the expansion.
While the new wing is open for business, construction work has already begun on the band’s new administration office a stone’s throw away from the school.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
