Jim O'Neill Feb 26, 2016
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Bowes urges community to come together under school roof

At the unveiling of the plans for the K-5 school to built on King Street, the woman who pushed long and hard for it urges families to "Make this school your community!"

"Make this school your community!"

Eileen Bowes is the chairman of the committee that spearheaded the push for a new school over the past 5 years.  At the unveiling of the plans for the new K-5 school that will be built on King Street, Bowes was given the opportunity to speak last about what it has meant to see the project get to this point.

"I can't stand up here alone," Bowes said, and she called the other committee members to join her at the podium. The other committee members are Susan McLenaghan, Tanya Godfrey, Lisa McNeil, Beth McCarthy and Lori O'Neill

"I think to say we are excited would be a huge understatement today.  We are beyond excited, and to be truthful, it feels like a dream.  I can't believe it is happening."

"It has been a long road, but a very rewarding and wonderful journey that is not over yet.  We have built relationships among ourselves," Bowes said of the women standing beside her, "we didn't know each other before this.  To the community members and the families that supported us and believed in us.  And for the children, this is for you."

"We are excited to be part of this unveiling.  We would sincerely like to thank Mr. Rousselle.  You are the third Minister of Education that we presented to, but you were the only Minister that came here and toured the school, and we knew after we met with you that you understood.  We thank you so very much for understanding us and seeing our vision."

"To Minister Bill Fraser, I don't have enough time....  You supported us from day 1.  Five years ago I knew when we would call Bill and say we were having a meeting or a presentation, it didn't matter about the weather, we worried about Bill many times.  he would get in his car in Fredericton, come to a meeting that would last until 10 pm or later, and turn around and get back in car and go back to Fredericton.  he called, he checked in, he helped, he guided, and he made it happen.  You continue to work with us today.  Thank you so very much."

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"And Beth Stymiest, you are our fourth Superintendent.    Thank you to you and the District for your support and helping make this happen,  You believed in this as well and we thank you so much for inviting us to be part of the planning committee for this beautiful building."

Bowes also thanked Andy Flanagan and the District Education Council for making the new school a number one priority for the district.

"To the children here today, and to the staff, you were our inspiration.  We wanted you to have a safe and healthy environment to teach in and to come to work to every day.  And we wanted you and generations to come to have the opportunity to learn in a beautiful building that we are going to have,"

"Our team recognized the inequities that existed in our community when compared to the golden triangle of Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John.  We banded together to advocate for a new school, and we accomplished this goal with many dedicated hours of researching what was best for our children, and this would not have happened without the community input and support.  Today, this school offers renewed hope, and allows our community to come together under one roof.  It provided opportunities that didn't exist before.  It will provide a place for our community to build healthy, caring and peaceful relationships, and inspire families to grow and be strong to face the challenges ahead.  Investing in Miramichi and our families is a win-win."

"Make this school your community.  Participate as much as you can in what we are sure will be wonderful opportunities for everyone involved.  Our committee continues to work on projects and partnerships to make this school all that we envisioned it to be.  Once a again, thank you Bill Fraser -- you believed in us and made it happen.  Thank you Minister Rousselle for investing in us and believing."

"And to our children here today, you are our future leaders.  This is for you."

Beth Stymiest, District Superintendent, said she hoped all the students grew up to be community leaders like Eileen.

Photos from announcemnt of new school on August 8th, 2015

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