Qualicum Beach Elementary School students were met with an outpouring of support from nearby community members.
Approximately 30 neighbours held signs and greeted students on Monday morning, just before school started for the day.
“The last couple years, we’ve included the community in things that’ve happened at the school,” said John Williams, school principal. “Music concerts, plays, those kinds of things.”
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In June, Williams had been contacted by community members next to the school advising that they would like to do something celebratory if the children came back in September, amid the COVID-19 situation. At the beginning of the month, the community arranged to meet at the curb along West Ridge Way and Claymore Road, to show support for the students.
School District 69 (Qualicum) superintendent Dr. Kevin Elder said the school is right next to a “newer subdivision with very few, and at most times, no elementary school-aged children”.
“They’ve formed a terrific relationship between the school and that neighbourhood,” said Elder.
There are approximately 375 students who attend QBES, from kindergarten to Grade 7.