Whitehorse, YT – The doors were opened for the first time at the new Whistle Bend Elementary School inviting parents and future students to wander through the halls and look at the classrooms that will soon be bustling with students and staff once at the start of the new school year in August.
Set to serve kindergarten through to Grade 7, the new building can accommodate 425 students. It features modern amenities, gender-neutral bathroom stalls, a kitchen, sensory rooms, gyms, and a state-of-the-art music room. The only thing yet to be completed are the sports fields and playgrounds which will be finished over the summer.
According to Yukon Government projections, the population of Whistle Bend is set to increase from 4,000 to between 8,000 and 10,000 by 2030 and with the fast growth of the neighborhood Minister of Education Jeanie McLean highlighted that the new building was planned with that in mind.
“We have 204 registered students as of [May 29th]. It’s built for growth,” said McLean. “We’ve done a lot of work, of course, to look at what the growth needs are within the city of Whitehorse.”
Concerns were also raised in a letter from December 2023 from the Whistle Bend Elementary School Council that particularly outlined worries over the size and design of the sensory rooms which Jeff Cressman, Principal of Whistle Bend Elementary, says they worked to address.
“There’s a small sensory room upstairs, a quiet space. Downstairs, a larger sensory room is being set up, more like a snooze room,” said Cressman. “We’ve collaborated with the school council and student support services to address concerns, and they’re pleased with the changes.”
The school will offer a range of culturally inclusive spaces and allow students to learn Southern Tutchone with plans to explore opportunities for other Indigenous languages.
Before the crowd of parents and children gathered at the school went off to explore the space an opening ceremony was held with Premier Ranj Pillai, Minister of Education Jeanie McLean and Minister of Highways and Public Works Nils Clarke.
Whitehorse Mayor Laura Cabott, Kwanlin Dun First Nations Chief Sean Smith and Ta’an Kwächän Council Chief Amanda Leas were also in attendance.
The opening ceremony featured a traditional smudging ceremony led by Elder Betsy Jackson of the Ta’an Kwächän Council before the leadership in attendance commenced their speeches. Many thanks were given to the builders, planners and leaders who worked on this project and a special welcome was given to those who will fill the school’s halls.
“It is a joyous moment to welcome each and every one of you to this school, I would like to extend a special welcome to the future students and their families who are here today,” said Clarke. “Welcome to your new school.”
