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Truro Elementary School Officially Opens
Department of EducationMarch 30, 2009 1:18 PM

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Nearly 600 students celebrated the official opening of their new leading-edge elementary school in Truro today, March 30.

Premier Rodney MacDonald, Finance Minister Jamie Muir, parents, teachers, staff, school board members and other community members joined the students for the opening ceremony of the Truro Elementary School.

"While we have been investing $400 million in new and renovated schools, we know that a successful school is more than bricks and mortar," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "A successful school is a safe, healthy, creative, community-oriented place that gives our children the skills and knowledge to open the door to a better future. Truro Elementary has all those ingredients."

The primary to Grade 6 school includes 28 classrooms and a number of smaller teaching areas. It has the largest elementary gymnasium in the province and an enlarged cafeteria, both funded in part by the Town of Truro.

"The young students of Truro and area are being educated in some of the most advanced elementary schools to be found anywhere," said Finance Minister Jamie Muir, who spoke on behalf of Education Minister Judy Streatch.

"Truro Elementary, and the recently opened Harmony Heights Elementary, are state of the art, technologically and environmentally."

Truro Elementary was built to be a very green building. For example, rainwater is used to flush urinals and it is heated with cleaner burning natural gas. It is also high tech, including a projector and digital surround sound in every classroom.

"I am delighted with the new school and how its students and parents have joined together to make a new, vibrant school community," said Trudy Thompson, chair of the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board.

Students from four smaller schools began attending the $13.2 million school on Jan. 8. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal oversaw construction of the two-storey school. It was designed by Fowler, Bauld and Mitchell Ltd. and built by Marco Group.

Truro Elementary School was built through the province's multi-year, $400 million capital construction program.