Grand Erie’s Website Gets a New Look for Back-to-School

This summer, some big changes happened to Grand Erie’s website. With improved design and functionality, it arrived just in time for back-to-school. We’re thrilled to introduce you to Grand Erie’s shiny new online home!

The changes you’ll notice give the website a new overall look and feel, while allowing for better dissemination of system and school news, as well as the integration of social media. The website is also AODA compliant in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and streamlines content to whichever device you’re using. This will allow us to keep you informed about everything that’s going on in Grand Erie in the most timely and efficient manner.

Each Grand Erie school has a new website as well, so expect to find everything you need to know about your, or your child’s school, with messages from the principal, and news and events featured more prominently than before. You’ll also find transportation information, bell times, and staff directories in easy-to-find locations. Also displayed are the latest posts on social media.

Important news, days of significance, and interesting events from across Grand Erie are featured more prominently. Feature stories and media releases are available on the Newsroom page. Throughout the new website, you’ll learn more about Grand Erie’s Multi-Year Plan, and how it fits into the events, initiatives, and programs happening throughout the year.

The optimal browser to surf the new site is Chrome. We hope the new design provides a user-friendly web experience, with visual storytelling in the spotlight.

Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room

Elgin Avenue Public School welcomed staff, students and community to the Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

On hand for this special occasion was Chair of the Board Carol Ann Sloat, Trustee Rita Collver and Superintendent Liana Thompson as well as several members of the community that contributed to the fundraising, and Elgin staff members.

Allie Richardson (teacher of students with autism), Lori Minarik (EA working with students with autism) and Samantha Nicholson (Principal) worked together for over three and a half years to fundraise for this $30,000 project. The Elgin community, parents, local charities and the Grand Erie District School Board all came together to make this project a huge success.

A Snoezelen Room is a multi-sensory environment that provides a controlled, safe, relaxing space for individuals with a variety of sensory needs. The room is set up to give individuals a positive space where they can meet their specific needs in a calming atmosphere. This atmosphere helps in reducing fear, anxieties, repetitive behaviour, self-abusive behaviour and aggressive behaviour so that students are better able to learn. Students at Elgin in both self-contained classes and in the regular classes will be able to access the room to help meet their sensory needs.

According to Seth, a student who accesses the room daily, “It is the best room ever!!!”