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Question 5: Will the new Belmont school offer French Immersion?

Response: The new Belmont elementary school will not offer French Immersion programming. To find the elementary and secondary French Immersion schools for your area, please visit the Find My Local School tool on our website.

Question 4: Has consideration been given to the inclusion of daycare facilities adjacent to or interconnected with the school? As enrolment grows and more families move to Belmont (ourselves included) once the school is constructed, the small locally-run daycare will quickly become overwhelmed. This pre-construction stage seems like a good opportunity to consolidate services within one facility, which could then offer before/after school and school-age care programs for students as well.

Response: We certainly recognize that the demand for child care in the Belmont region has increased. At the time of TVDSB and Elgin/St. Thomas Municipal Manager submitting a request for a new school, the demand for child care was limited and was accommodated by the current child care operator. As a result, we are unable to request funding to build a new child care centre.

Question 3: Is TVDSB any closer to finalizing the stormwater drainage solution? Will this delay impact the opening of the school?

Response: As of March 20, 2024, TVDSB is currently working with the municipality to develop interim storm servicing solutions as development of the 6th phase of the Craigholme Estates subdivision has not started. The municipality has initiated a petition under the Drainage Act that will allow TVDSB to obtain a temporary stormwater outlet. Once an interim solution is established through this process, TVDSB will work on finalizing the school’s design and putting together a package to the Ministry of Education for approval to go to tender. We continue to be on track to open the school for the 2026/2027 school year pending favourable outcomes to the approval processes.

Question 2: Will there be turning lanes and/or stop lights installed at the corner of seventh and the Belmont road?

Response: We have reviewed your question with the municipality and traffic impact considerations for the development of the subdivision within the school block property are currently under review.

Question 1: Will this school have a Partial Integration ASD class or any extra supports that some other schools don't have?

Response: Programming decisions regarding special education classes will be made the spring prior to the school opening. Communications for the program offerings will be discussed with the affected school communities at that time.