New Minister of Education Visits St. Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School
Ontario’s new Minister of Education, the Hon. Jill Dunlop, made her first visit to a Niagara Catholic school on September 23, visiting the new St. Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School in Wainfleet.
Minister Dunlop was joined at St. Elizabeth by Director of Education Camillo Cipriano, Family of Schools Superintendent of Education Joe Zaroda, Controller of Facilities Services Clark Euale, trustees Larry Huibers, Jim Marino, and Paul Turner, and other board staff including project manager Tunde Labbancz, and Board Chaplaincy Leader Krista Olivieri.
The new St. Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School is the result of a joint-use project with the District School Board of Niagara, which began in 2020. The DSBN closed William E. Brown and Winger public schools in June in advance of the renamed Marshville Public School/St. Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School opening on the site of the old St. Elizabeth school on the first day of school September 3.
The tour also included a visit to Marshville school, before a group photo was taken with staff and trustees from both boards, as well as Wainfleet Mayor Brian Grant in the school’s common library area and Minister Dunlop continued to St. Elizabeth to tour classrooms and meet students and staff.
Minister Dunlop was welcomed to St. Elizabeth by principal Julie Mangiacasale, who showed her the highlights of the new school. Minister Dunlop was impressed by how bright and welcoming the school is, and by St. Elizabeth’s chapel, which is nearly completed.
During the 25-minute visit, the Minister participated in a faith-based art project with Grade 7 and 8 students, making stained glass pieces for the new school’s chapel. While she worked on her own piece of art – a heart design that students will finish and send to her at Queen’s Park – Minister Dunlop spoke to students about their favourite subjects and interests, and about how they like the new school.
We are grateful to Minister Dunlop and Mayor Grant for visiting the new joint-use school, particularly St. Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School, and welcome them back to visit any time.