May 12th, 2017

The Elmira community came out in full force to celebrate the official opening of Riverside Public School and Elmira Children’s Centre. On May 9, more than 150 students, parents, staff and community members joined the celebration.

The front of the new Riverside Public School.

In addition to students, staff and community members, the school welcomed many special guests, including Meaghan Martin on behalf of Michael Harris, Kitchener-Conestoga MPP, Ken Seiling, regional chair, Scott McMillan, chair of the board of trustees, John Bryant, director of education, and Peter Rubenschuh, superintendent of student achievement and well-being. Kim Johnstone, executive member with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario—Waterloo Region, who presented the school bell, joined them.

In partnership with the Region of Waterloo, the third-generation Riverside PS will become a community hub for students and families, as the Elmira Children’s Centre is also located on the same site.

“This partnerships allows us to forge a strong relationship between current Riverside PS students and future students,” said Brent Hatcher, principal at Riverside PS. “The opportunity to start early and get students on the path to success is beneficial to both the students and staff.”

Riverside Public School’s time capsule on May 9, 2017.

The evening included student performances, video presentations and the compilation of the school’s time capsule, which they hope to open at a later date. The time capsule included items, such as: a program and invitation from school opening, a piece of ribbon from the first day of school, local media coverage, 2016-17 class and staff photos, a miniature Roly the Racoon, a embroidered baseball and contributions from the children’s centre.

Riverside Public School’s student choir performing at school opening on May 9, 2017.

“The people of Elmira make this school and community a great place to grow up and learn,” said Scott McMillan. “Teachers may never know the impact they have on students—until much later.”

Twenty-four years later, in the hallway at the Riverside PS opening, McMillan bumped into Jim de Bock, his grade 8 teacher, who made reading ‘cool’. It was a memorable evening for de Bock, as he began his teaching career at the original Riverside PS in 1968.

Chair McMillan and Jim de Bock at Riverside Public School’s opening on May 9, 2017.

Stay connected with Riverside Public School — visit www.riv.wrdsb.ca.