New year, new schools for Catholic students in Simcoe County
The first day of school for Catholic students Wednesday included an added first for those attending St. Charles in Bradford and St. Cecilia in Alliston.
"We love it. I actually got a tour yesterday. It's really beautiful inside, [with] a lot of natural light. We're very happy about it. And we're so close, within walking distance," said mom Christina Knowlton.
The Catholic school board hasn't had two schools open in the same time frame since the early 2000s.
St. Cecilia's principal, May Boucher, said everyone was delighted to start the school year at the new facility.
"It was wonderful to have the energy of the staff and students in our building today and all the smiling faces that joined us this morning. Parents were thrilled, and so were our staff and students."
Construction on the schools began in June 2021 after both locations were approved.
St. Charles' school principal noted the shift from a school with seven portables "to right now, all of our students are in the building," said Cassandra Medve-Racine.
The Bradford elementary school has seen a 40 per cent increase in enrolment since June, with 120 new students. Seven additional classroom teachers were hired, plus extra support staff.
"We are able to actually accommodate the need right now and will continue to grow," Medve-Racine added.
Crews are demolishing the former school building for a new field to be put in its place.
Meanwhile, as students settle into classrooms for what is anticipated to be a return to a normal school year, the Catholic board is offering help to families in need amid a reported rise in children's mental health issues.
The increase comes after years of instability and the cancellations of extracurricular activities spurred by the pandemic.
The Catholic board offers several programs to support students, including videos, podcasts, and consultations.
Complete information and access to these services, are available online.
With files from CTV's Kraig Krause
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NORAD tracking high-altitude surveillance balloon detected over the U.S., Canada says
The Department of National Defence says Canada is working with the United States to protect sensitive information from foreign intelligence threats after a high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected.

Senate passes Liberals' controversial online streaming act with a dozen amendments
Big tech companies that offer online streaming services could soon be required to contribute to Canadian content as a controversial Liberal bill gets one step closer to becoming law.
Migrant workers sneak secret menus into Canadian restaurants to expose exploitation
Hundreds of customers who scan QR codes for restaurant menus across Canada are being surprised by secret menus instead, revealing the hidden costs behind the food they eat.
Woman says Russian Embassy denies her consular services, cites Facebook page
A Russian woman says she has been denied consular services by her country's embassy in Canada over claims her Facebook activity poses a security threat.
opinion | How much rent can you afford?
Many Canadians have continued to see an increase in their rental rates in 2023. In an column on CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains how to calculate how much rent you can afford.
W5 Investigates | Lebanese-Canadian family of 3-year-old killed in Beirut blast still searching for accountability, answers
More than two years after downtown Beirut was levelled by an explosion, a Lebanese-Canadian family of a 3-year-old girl killed in the blast is still searching for answers. Watch W5's documentary 'The Explosion' on CTV at 7 p.m.
Nearly 6 in 10 public transit users say they feel less safe commuting after string of violent attacks
After a string of violent attacks on public transit in Toronto and other cities, a new survey has found that nearly six in 10 public transit users in Canada say they feel less safe or somewhat less safe while commuting.
Why Delissio pizzas and other Nestle products will disappear from Canadian stores
Nestle Canada says it is winding down its frozen meals and pizza business in Canada over the next six months. The four brands that will no longer be sold in the freezer aisle at Canadian grocery stores are Delissio, Stouffer's, Lean Cuisine and Life Cuisine.
Would you pay $300 a year for quick access to a nurse? Dealing with demand, Ontario doctors get creative
Paid subscriptions to on-demand care are among the many strategies primary health-care providers in Ontario are adopting in order to meet increased demand for access to doctors in the past year, while also managing staffing shortages.