Yellowknife (Aug 16/06) - About 250 students from fire damaged Ecole St. Joseph school will attend classes in two nearby schools starting on Aug. 29.

The Aug. 3 fire destroyed four classrooms and a mini-gym and resulted in heavy damage to five classrooms, a computer lab and a "breakout space" in the Grade 5-6 wing of the school.

Yellowknife Catholic Schools officials met with about 250 parents, students and teachers Tuesday night to explain where there students will attend classes.

Where the kids are going: William McDonald (for two months) 1. 4/5E MacFadyen 2. 5E Kennedy 3. 6E-G Genge 4. 6E-V Vickers N.J. McPherson (Minimum one year) 1. 2/3F Dumas 2. 3F Sampson 3. 4F Leger 4. 5F Charron 5. 6F Chambers-Beaulieu

"We are in a crisis situation, we will take what we can get," said YCS superintendent Kern Von Hagen.

What they're getting are nine classrooms in two Yellowknife Education District No. 1 schools, William McDonald and NJ Macpherson.

The public learned for the first time last night that in addition to the complete destruction of part of the school, there was heavy smoke and water damage the adjacent wing. As a result, there will have to be extensive renovations before students are allowed back in.

The renovations are expected to be complete by Nov. 1.

On speakerphone while away on vacation, YCS board chair Shannon Gulberg asked parents for their patience and support.

"Nothing tonight is ideal," she said. "Right now we all really need to be a community and rally together in what are tragic circumstances."

Under the YCS plan, four classes, a Grade 4/5 split, one Grade 5 and two Grade 6 will attend William McDonald for the first two months of school.

Five of St. Joe's French immersion classes from Grade 2-6 will take up classroom space at nearby NJ Macpherson school, creating a "French Immersion academy." Those classes will remain at NJ for at least a year.

Seventeen classes remain at St. Joe's.

Students attending Yk 1 schools will have full access to computer labs, the library, gym and music classes and efforts will be made to include them in regular school functions.

"We are going to do our best to minimize the effects on the kids," said Von Hagen. "We want to continue to provide the community and atmosphere of belonging to St. Joe's."

Helping make the transition to new schools is the fact St. Joe's students go back to school on Aug. 29, two days before Yk No. 1 students return, said assistant superintendent Claudia Parker.

As well, recess and lunchtimes for St. Joe's students attending Yk No. 1 schools will be at different times than Yk 1 students.

YCS will provide bus passes to students who will attend William McDonald, but how the arrangement affects busing for students going to NJ remains to be seen.

"There may be some effects on those on the furthest out on the bus route," said Von Hagen. "We will do our best to accommodate them on a case by case basis."

YCS will hire extra staff and will provide cellphones so staff communicate between the three facilities. An administrator will be at each site at all times, said Von Hagen. Retired YCS teacher Sheila Hart has been hired to be the site administrator at William McDonald.

Principals of the three schools still have to meet to work out timetables and final scheduling details, said Von Hagen.

Parents seemed supportive with what's being done.

"I think it's a good plan," said Betty-Lou Comber, who has one child enroled at St. Joe's. "My oldest is still here, but my youngest is going to William McDonald for a couple months."

Maurie Edwards, another parent, agreed.

"With the short period that they had to put this together, they did quite a wonderful job," he said. "Once everyone gets back from holidays, there will be a lot more ideas."

Parent Sean Lee put a positive spin on what's happening.

"It will be a great learning experience."

Von Hagen said YCS has had preliminary discussions with the education department to see if the $18 million retrofit planned for St. Joe's in 2008 can be moved up a year, with design work beginning this year.