The brand new Westbrook School is ALMOST ready to welcome students.

The Kindergarten to Grade 8 school is located on Highway 22 north of Cochrane. The old building which was operational since 1952, was recently torn down to make way for a parking lot and bus loop. 

Construction started on the new building in June, which is located adjacent to where the old school once stood; and Rocky View Schools was granted occupancy earlier this week.

While most students under the RVS board are preparing to head back to the classrooms next week, Westbrook students won't be heading back just yet.

Superintendent of RVS, Greg Luterbach says that he asked the Board of Trustees to delay the opening to allow teachers and staff to move into the new building.

He says "We believe as administration, that to support the school and school community we'd like to give them a little bit more time to help out and get all these tasks done. This will allow the school to have smaller groups, walk the students through the various new safety protocols." 

Luterbach says that Westbrook students will ease into the new facility starting on September 8. Half of the 150 students will be in attendance on the 8, the other half will start on the 9, and by the 10 all students will be in attendance.

Principal Christine Parker says that she's excited to welcome students back, and wants to ensure that both the staff and facility are properly prepared.

She says "We really do want to open. We really do want to be there on day one, but we also want to make sure that we do it right. And so I just want to make sure that we are setting ourselves up for success. The extra time is going to really allow our community members and our staff to prepare appropriately."

To adhere to COVID protocol, Westbrook was not able to provide students with an in-person tour of the new facility, but provided a link to an online photo tour of the school.

A gallery of photos at the new facility can be found below. The photos were taken prior to RVS possession of the building, therefore don't include COVID-19 safety practices outlined in the RVS Re-entry Plan

Teachers and staff at Westbrook School will return to work starting tomorrow (Thursday) to prepare for the upcoming school year.