MEDIA RELEASE:
Temporary Accommodations for St. Mary Catholic School, Mount Forest
February 2, 2024 | For Immediate Release | St. Mary Catholic School in Mount Forest staff and students are preparing for a return to in-person learning on Wednesday, February 7 following a fire last Thursday, thanks to the support of Father Mike Anderson at St. Mary of the Purification Roman Catholic Church and members of the governing council of the First Baptist Church in Mount Forest.
“We want to thank the St. Mary Catholic School staff, students, families, County of Wellington, the Township of Wellington North and the greater Mount Forest community for the outpouring of support we have received since the fire. We have had outreach from businesses, faith communities, and staff and administration from the Upper Grand District School Board as well as the incredible support we have received from various departments and colleagues within the Wellington Catholic District School Board. Everyone has been extremely helpful and supportive. We also want to extend our gratitude to the first responders who fought the fire at our school early Thursday morning. We are grateful for their bravery and service,” shared Michele Hasson, principal of St. Mary CS in Mount Forest. “We understand that this has been a challenging and unsettling situation for everyone involved and we are doing our best under the circumstances to have students return to their friends, classmates and teachers.”
On Thursday morning, Wellington North Fire Service responded to a fire at St. Mary Catholic School in Mount Forest. No one was at the school during the blaze and no injuries were reported.
Since then, administration has been working extensively to find temporary accommodations until the end of the school year. The Wellington Catholic DSB has been in contact with the Diocese of Hamilton and Father Mike Anderson at St. Mary of the Purification Roman Catholic Church and members of the governing council of the First Baptist Church in Mount Forest, and have secured temporary accommodations at these sites. The church hall will accommodate students from Grades 5 to 8 and is being prepared accordingly. The First Baptist Church was the former Mount Forest Public School and there are several classrooms available on site to host students in kindergarten to Grade 4.
“After the unfortunate fire at St. Mary, we as a church are happy to host the students and staff of the Catholic school. Our building has been a blessing to us and we are grateful to extend that blessing to assist the school in this difficult time,” shared Pastor Matthew of the First Baptist Church Mount Forest. “We look forward to the joy that comes with children learning in the building throughout the week once again and we continue to pray for St. Mary's as they navigate this stressful chapter.”
Transportation to sites will continue to be available for eligible students. School administration continue to finalize plans for this transition to the new temporary accommodations and will be shared directly with families.
“The fire damage was extensive in the school, and it is currently anticipated that we will remain in these temporary accommodations until the end of the school year,” shared Hasson. “Planning for the renovations and restoration to our school is underway. We are looking forward to a return to our St. Mary Catholic School site in new school year.”
Students will be welcomed to their new site on Wednesday, February 7 where they will continue in-person learning with their classmates and teachers.
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For more information please contact:
Ali Lupal, Communication and Community Engagement Lead
alison.lupal@wellingtoncdsb.ca
Wellington Catholic District School Board consists of 18 elementary schools, three secondary schools and an alternative education program. We are proud to meet the educational interests of near 9,000 students in the City of Guelph and the County of Wellington.