Marie Sharpe Elementary School

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Marie Sharpe Elementary[1]
Address
260 Cameron St Williams Lake, British Columbia, V2G 1S8, Canada
Information
School number	2727011
School board	School District 27 Cariboo-Chilcotin
Principal	Ms. Cheryl Dew
School type	Public Elementary school
Grades	K-7
Team name	Marie Sharpe Sharks
Colours	Violet and Teal
Enrollment	308 (October 20, 2007)

Marie Sharpe Elementary is a public elementary school in Williams Lake, British Columbia part of School District 27 Cariboo-Chilcotin.

Contents 1 History 2 Programs 3 Activities 4 References 5 External links 5.1 School Reports - Ministry of Education

[edit] History

The Marie Sharpe site occupies one block near the centre of the city of Williams Lake. It is bounded by Comer Street to the north, Cameron Street to the south, Second Avenue to the west, and Third Avenue to the east.

Construction of the "Williams Lake Elementary School" was completed near the south-east corner of the site in 1950, providing a 562 sq. m. (6,050 sq. ft.) single-storey, stucco-finished wood frame building above a dirt crawlspace. Near the approximate centre of the west side of the site a two-storey structure of similar construction was built to provide a 564 sq. m. (6,070 sq. ft.) dormitory for students.

In 1952, after two years of operation, the facility was converted to a secondary school (grades 8-12) with specialised classroom spaces (domestic science, industrial arts, science, and multi-purpose activity) added via wood-framed stucco-clad additions to the north and south ends of the original building, increasing the total area to 1,299 sq. m. (13,983 sq. ft.).

In 1954, a two-storey 948 sq. m. (10,205 sq. ft.) wood-framed, stucco-clad classroom wing was added to the north end of the school. By 1959 a new Williams Lake Secondary School was completed at another site, and the facility reverted back to an elementary school.

As part of the conversion back to an elementary school, a 694 sq. m. (7,470 sq. ft.) one- and two-storey south-west addition was built to provide a gymnasium complete with stage and service areas, and increased space for administration.

A final addition was later made to the main building when the original interior stairs within the two-storey general classroom block were replaced with larger stairs in additions to the west and east ends of that building. The area occupied by the original stairs were typically converted into service areas. The dormitory building was also extensively renovated to convert it into School Board offices and meeting rooms for the District Administration.

In the 1960s a single-storey, 917 sq. m. (9,870 sq. ft.) wood-framed annex building was constructed between the main school and dormitory building along the west side of the site to provided additional classroom and office space. A covered exterior walkway linked this building to the school.

Recently various studies have been completed to assess the condition of the buildings and to consider the option of renovating the 50+ year old structures to meet current building code and safety/accessibility standards. The option of constructing a replacement elementary school on the playfield (which occupies the northern half of the site) is also being considered.

[edit] Programs

École Marie Sharpe Elementary is home to the local primary French Immersion program, as well as the standard English-speaking program and also late french immersion for grades 6-7. First Nations language instruction in Chilcotin and Shuswap is also provided.

[edit] Activities

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] School Reports - Ministry of Education