The consultations are complete, and the Renfrew County District School Board has announced the new, merged JK-Grade 12 school in Barry’s Bay will be called Madawaska Valley District School.
The Renfrew County District School Board’s (RCDSB) Board of Trustees said they are pleased to endorse the recommendation from the School Naming Committee. The new, merged JK-Grade 12 school is made up of the former Sherwood Public School and Madawaska Valley District High School.
Officials say a well-attended, open to the public, information session was held in the library of the Barry’s Bay school on May 15, 2023.
“The rationale and process for merging and re-naming the two school entities that co-existed as two separate schools within the same building was outlined and community input was appreciated. The process followed the RCDSB’s administrative procedure, AP 535 – Naming of Schools,” reads a press release.
The naming committee was made up of students, families, staff, trustees, community members, and administration.
“The RCDSB trustees, staff, students, families, and community members recognized the importance of ensuring the new school name was community-led,” said local trustee and committee member David Kaiser. “The committee worked diligently to ensure that the new name best reflected the spirit of the public consultation in alignment with the RCDSB’s mission, vision, and values. This was a top priority for the group.”
“What was clear to the committee was the strong attachment to the name ‘Madawaska Valley’,” said Madawaska Valley District School Principal, Jennifer Schooley. “A majority of responses included ‘Madawaska Valley’ in one form or another in the proposed name.”
The new name was made official at the Jan. 30 board meeting. The rebranding process, including replacing existing signage will be ongoing.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)