New school year, new school for some students in French public board

Thousands of students returned to class in Ottawa’s French schools. CTV’s Katie Griffin says it was a special day at one school in the Barrhaven area.

It was back to school for tens of thousands of students and teachers in Ottawa’s French boards on Tuesday and for some the new year of learning starts at a brand new school.

“I feel a little bit nervous but really excited,” said Aiya Mohamed who is starting Grade 3 at école élémentaire publique Des Visionnaires. “I’m looking forward to learning some new stuff.”

The French public school in the Barrhaven-Manotick area can accommodate 475 students from Kindergarten to Grade 6.

“It’s exciting, it’s a new school,” said Mohamed’s mom Halima Omar. “Brand new everything. I’m excited for her to make new friends, meet new teachers. It’s just an exciting time.”

The school is the 45th school for the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO).

“It’s a community that has been waiting for a French public school for years and years…it’s more than a school. I would say we’re building an entire community here,” said Christian-Charle Bouchard, the director of education for the CEPEO.

“It’s people going to activities together, it’s barbecues, it’s parents coming in and out and it’s kids getting an education in French in a quality French public system.”

Tuesday was also the first day of classes for students in the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE). Over 30,000 students attend CECCE schools.