Baie Verte school welcomes kids displaced by Fort McMurray wildfires
Newfoundland and Labrador has about 130 more students in school for the last weeks of the school year, as a consequence of the wildfires that devastate the Fort McMurray area in May.
Copper Ridge Academy in Baie Verte is hosting nine of the displaced kids.
"I find it's a lot more chill back here," said Grade 10 student Connor Fudge, who is enjoying life in Baie Verte, and was able to be reunited with friends he had already made on family visits to the community.
The relaxed lifestyle of the small outport town is the biggest difference for him, since things at home were more "frantic and fast-paced."
"I found I kind of have to take my time more and look around more. It's a change of pace, which is good, but nothing like home," he said.
To make that transition as easy as possible was our main goal.- Sherry Haas, principal
Like other Fort McMurray high schoolers, Connor is exempt from final exams this year.
Eight-year-old Bailey Hemmings is finishing Grade Three in Baie Verte.
She said while she loves life in Baie Verte, she misses her friends in Fort McMurray.
"It was fun and I had a very best friend named Madison," she said. "She helps me with a lot of things. We usually sit by each other and usually, if I don't know work I'm doing, then Madison will help me."
Bailey said she's is happy in Newfoundland, and she enjoys playing outside and riding her new bike. She's even made some new friends to help her get used to the changes.
"Her name is Sydney. She doesn't sit by me, but we usually hang out with each other. "
Providing emotional support
Copper Ridge Academy Principal Sherry Haas said welcoming the Alberta students required much more than just giving them a desk and locker. Faculty have done their best to provide them with the emotional support they need to get them past what has been a difficult experience.
"Letting them know the staff was available to talk," she said.
"Between the office administration and our guidance counsellor here on base was key; a very integral part in making sure we made time available for those students if they needed to address any issues or concerns."
Haas said the students and staff at Copper Ridge have been glad to welcome the newcomers who needed a safe place and the support of friends.
"Really trying to partner them up and making them feel welcome in their new classes," she said.
"For several of them, it was their first time at Copper Ridge Academy and the Baie Verte Peninsula. So they had to make a new friend base, which would be a challenge for them. To make that transition as easy as possible was our main goal."