GUYSBOROUGH – The culmination of the Acadian revival in the Tor Bay region, the creation of a French school in the area, is one step closer to reality.
An information session was held on April 21 at the Chedabucto Lifestyle Complex in Guysborough to share information about the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP), the Acadian/francophone school board, and discover the opportunities related to an education in French.
CSAP representatives at the meeting included Michel Collette, Directeur-Général of the CSAP; François Rouleau, Directeur de la Région Est de la Nouvelle Écosse; Nicole Dupuis, Directrice-Générale de la Fédération des Parents de la Nouvelle Écosse; as well as the administration, specialist team and staff from the CSAP school in Pomquet, Antigonish County.
Jude Avery of Larry’s River, who is spearheading the campaign to bring a CSAP school to the area, said that, although not as many people as he would have liked attended the meeting, many are committed to the goal and pledged to enrol their children, if a school went forward.
Jennifer Delorey, also of Larry’s River, was instrumental in gathering community support, creating a list of 20 to 30 parents who are interested in the project.
Avery told The Journal on April 22 that, “The message last night was very clear from the two administrators that were there…don’t worry about numbers, if there’s any guideline at all, 10 is the minimum and if we get 20 to 30 we’re fine…once you open the doors, students come. And that has been the experience right across the province.”
The next step in the process is to send an official, written request to form a school to the CSAP, which Avery quickly completed Friday morning (April 22).
Once the school is approved by the CSAP, a search for a location will begin.
CSAP officials will scout the area, “see what is available, see if there are any existing buildings that they could rent or renovate for the interim while the school is being built,” said Avery.
Avery also said that the time is right to move ahead with this school proposal, “We were told that it’s a very good time to submit our request… Seems as though the political and economic goals of the province are such that it lines up with our project. From that point of view, there is a fair degree of optimism.”
