Media Release

International School Opens Doors to World on Tuesday

Calgary’s west side welcomes state-of-the-art school and facility.

Calgary, Alberta – August 28, 2003 – The staff and families of Calgary French & International School are pleased to announce that on September 2, 2003, our doors will be welcoming over 440 of our students to our new facility built in Calgary’s west side. As incoming principal, Darren Forrester has a busy first day planned for the students and staff. The new facility will also be the home for the Edge School for Athletes as they will be leasing six classrooms for their innovative program.

The facility, located at the corner of Old Banff Coach Rd. and 77th Street SW, was designed by SSE Architects. It boasts many features that many students, teachers and parents will have only dreamed of. Some of the facilities that will be shared with the community include gymnasium, meeting rooms and playgrounds that will be welcomed by the many new families in Cougar Ridge and West Springs. With state-of-the-art demonstration classrooms and partnerships with several local post-secondary institutions, Calgary French & International School is poised to take the lead as the centre of educational excellence in Language Immersion in the city.

Construction of its new $12 million campus was initiated several years ago when its lease of the Lakeview Elementary School was scheduled for termination. Stuart Olson, construction management and parent volunteer, Ed Romanowski, have worked tirelessly to ensure the timely completion of the school.

As an independent, not-for-profit school that prides itself on high quality education at an affordable tuition, fundraising for this new facility has been a major focus for its parent-run board. Karen Kryczka, MLA for Calgary West, has been instrumental in helping the school secure substantial government grants for facilities that will be shared with local community associations.

For over 30 years, Calgary French & International School (previously known as The Calgary French School), has prepared children to embrace the world around them and be active participants. The School fosters success in academics, athletics, music and fine arts all within a Language Immersion environment. It was Calgary’s first French Immersion school and established its French language program prior to the Royal Commission that led to the federal policy of official bilingualism. Currently, the School offers affordable French and Spanish Immersion education from Preschool to Grade 8.

An “official” grand-opening for the school will be held on site on November 7, 2003 at 2 pm.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Darren Forrester
Principal, Calgary French & International School
(403) 240-1500
d.forrester@cfs.calgary.ab.ca

Ed Romanowski
VP Facilities, Calgary International Language Foundation
(403) 256-9452
ed@bellstar.ca