The future of a soon-to-be-closed Penticton school has become more clear.
The board of education at School District No. 67 (Okanagan-Skaha) says it is moving forward with plans to lease out a portion of Parkway Elementary School to local daycare business Pitter Patter Learning Centres.
The new facility will include four classrooms for children ages two-and-a-half to five.
Final decisions on the future use of Giant's Head Elementary School in Summerland and Penticton's Carmi Elementary have not been made, the district said in a release.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to welcome Pitter Patter Learning Centres to Parkway Elementary,鈥� school board chair James Palanio said. 鈥淭his partnership reflects our commitment to supporting families in our community by providing high-quality early learning opportunities in a nurturing environment."
As part of the transition at Parkway, the school's existing library is expected to be transformed into an activity area.
Sand and water play, climbing structures, and shaded areas for both age groups of the daycare will be made available outdoors, the district added.
The school's current garden, meanwhile, will be preserved and "used as a hands-on learning space," the release stated.
School District No. 67 says it is accepting proposals from interested parties on potential uses for the soon-to-be-closed Giant's Head and Carmi elementary schools. Inquiries and submissions can be made to .
The 2024-25 year marked the last of operation for all three schools. They will officially close on June 30.
Declining student enrolment led to the restructuring of the district's schools.
The changes in Penticton, approved in spring 2024, include elementary schools accommodating kindergarten to Grade 7 students, and the city鈥檚 two high schools hosting those from Grades 8 to 12.
In Summerland, two elementary schools will have students from kindergarten to Grade 6. Its high school will host Grades 7 to 12.
Changes will take effect for the 2025-26 school year.
