Parents pushing for non-based education in Morinville got their wish Thursday, as the town starts to offer non-religious instruction to children.
Officials admit it's not the perfect scenario at the present time with two spaces inside the community centre serving as temporary classrooms for students in Grades 1 to 4.
"I'm really proud of what the teachers have done to establish a couple of rooms that flow together and be able to maximize the space that they have here," said Wayne Rufiange, principal of Morinville Public School. "Other than what the physical constraints are, it's going to be just like any other school."
Pre-school and kindergarten programs will be housed in the Morinville Parish Hall for the entire school year. And Grades 1 to 4 will be housed in the Morinville Cultural Centre from Sept. to Dec. 2011.
Parents are pleased this day has finally come. They've been fighting for this since last fall.
"I think it's a huge step for Morinville," said Jesica Logan. "I'm really excited, it's great too see a lot of new faces."
A total of 66 students are registered right now, but the school board says that number will increase due to additional enrolment in the pre-school programs.
Students at the community centre will eventually be moved to Georges P. Vanier School just beyond the parish hall where two portable classrooms have been added. That solution will be temporary as well.
School officials and parents hope to find a more permanent building in the future.
With files from Susan Amerongen
