Trustees for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board received an update at the June 22, 2021 Regular Board Meeting on the Monsignor Uyen Catholic School project.
“We are pleased to report that this project is progressing well, with substantial completion targeted for July 23rd this year,” says Deb Crawford, Director of Education. “We are excited that this major renovation project will be completed in time for students and staff to begin classes in the new home for French Immersion in Chatham on the first day of school in September.”
Construction highlights include:
- Administration Office – 95% complete, reception desk & office furniture now on site
- Classrooms – 95% complete and ready for furniture delivery the week of July 5 – 9, 2021
- Gymnasium – 95% complete, with athletic flooring to be installed the week of June 28, 2021
- Learning Commons – 95% complete and ready for furniture delivery the week of July 26, 2021
- Roofing – 100% complete
- Road Sign – to be installed in July 2021
- Rear yard asphalt – scheduled to start July 12, 2021, and to be completed by August 20, 2021
- Landscaping – to be completed by August 20, 2021
- Outdoor Classroom – to be completed by August 20, 2021
- Childcare rooftop unit replacement – Fall of 2021 (October or November)
- School open to staff beginning August 9, 2021
When members of the Monsignor Uyen Catholic School community relocate to the new site on Baldoon Road, they will take with them the Uyen name, school history and traditions.
“We will be honouring the history of the Uyen Catholic school community, which stretches back to 1969,” says Laura Callaghan, Superintendent of Education. “The school has undergone many changes over the years and the relocation to Baldoon Road will be the latest chapter in its 52-year history.”
Other significant dates in the school’s history:
- French Immersion was introduced in 1989, with one grade added per year.
- In 2002, primary French Immersion classes were transferred to Our Lady of Fatima.
- In 2004, the school name was changed from John Uyen School to Monsignor Uyen Catholic School, with an official blessing and unveiling of a new sign.
- In 2012, the school became single-track French Immersion, with English language students being transferred to Our Lady of Fatima.
The school is named for Monsignor John Uyen, who came to Canada from Holland in 1913. He served as a parish priest in Chatham and Wallaceburg. The school was named for him because of his extensive contributions to education.
“We are in the initial stages of planning events to celebrate the opening of the new Monsignor Uyen Catholic School,” says Mrs. Callaghan. “These are exciting times for the Uyen community and for our Board!”
Take a virtual tour of the school.
Important dates include:
- Family tours of the school – (Tentative) August 25
- Official Opening and Blessing Ceremony – September 23