Grand River Public School Celebrates Grand Opening

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2025

Students, families and staff from the newly opened Grand River Public School were on hand Monday evening to cut the ribbon that officially marked the milestone of completion on the major building project many years in the making. 

 

Grand River Public School - Grand Opening

"The completion of this building isn’t just about a physical space; it represents a vision of an inclusive, supportive and enriching learning environment to serve Caledonia students and families," said Susan Gibson, Chair of Grand Erie District School Board. "On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank the incredible staff at Grand River Public School, Grand Erie’s Business Services and Facility Services teams, and the families and community members who share in this vision."

Grand River Public School is now home to the Herons – a name chosen by the school community. Through a collaboration with the artist Raymond Skye, a member of the Six Nations of the Grand River, it now has a visual identity rooted in a deep appreciation for the natural world and its teachings. The Grand River is home to many herons, which play an important role in the balance of a healthy ecosystem. Skye was at the event, and along with students, staff and trustees including Claudine VanEvery-Albert and her family members, led the group in the planting of a white pine on the school's grounds to mark this connection. The event also included an opening and closing address in Mohawk. 


"It still never ceases to amaze me how much careful planning, expert guidance, collaboration and inspired vision goes toward bringing a project of this scale to life," said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. "This is all for the students, and now Grand River Public School will be a place where you ask bold questions, lean into challenges and grow into the leaders of tomorrow."

 

The joint-use building is also home to Pope Francis Catholic Elementary School and together includes 76,000 square feet with capacity for nearly 750 learners and 49 spaces to accommodate preschool children in a new childcare centre. The schools welcomed learners for the first time for the start of the school year in September.

 

Grand River Public School Tree Planing


"This past month, the hallways of this building have been filled with smiling faces, eyes wide with excitement, high-fives, fist pumps, laughter, banter, and possibility," said Mark Fraser, principal. "In the four weeks since we opened our doors to learners and families for the first time, after so many months of anticipation, we have become Grand River Public School."

The project was funded through the Ministry of Education’s Capital Priorities and Child Care Capital Funding Program, and reflects Grand Erie's priority of supporting the cognitive, social-emotional and physical needs of each learner. 

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