The opening of the new Fireside School is right around the corner and currently the school and its grounds are a beehive of activity in preparation for the bell to sound.

Colette Winters, Rocky View Schools (RVS) director of facility planning, says the school is on target to open Nov. 14. Right now, contractors are adding finishing touches to the interior and RVS crews are preparing the classrooms and hallways for occupation. Outside, the final pieces of sod are being laid and the balance of the sidewalks are being completed..

When the doors open, over 350 kindergarten to grade 7 students will be moved to the school from their temporary home in the portables of the Mitford/CCA school, says Winters.

By next year, the school's enrolment is anticipated to increase by about 100 students when grade 8 is added. At full capacity, the school will house 750 students and that is expected to be reached within three to four years.

That's not only a good thing for the school, it's good news for Cochrane.

Currently, Cochrane is #4 on the priority list for future schools being sought by Rocky View Schools. No announcements have been made for further schools for Cochrane, nor are any anticipated at this time, but when it does come down the pipes it will be a K-5 school in the Heartlands neighbourhood because that is the only site shovel ready.

The Fireside School will accommodate the educational needs of youth living south of the Bow River, excluding Bow Ridge, Bow Meadows and Jumping Pound. 

The school had originally been scheduled to open on Sept. 5 but was setback by construction delays. 

A full range of activities are already in the works and one of the first is a Fireside School Kick-Off Day at the SLS Family Sports Centre on Nov. 30. Students will participate in multi-grade leadership and team-building activities and will be treated to a pizza party. Visioning and parent sessions are also in the works.