What’s in a name? SD60 to establish school-naming policy

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — For now, the newest elementary school in School district 60 is being referred to as ‘North West Elementary School’, due to it’s geographic location in relation to the rest of the City.

But the district wanted to establish a formal name for it soon, and also establish a protocol for school-naming in the future while they’re at it.

“We need to give the site a proper name so we can start dealing with it on a provincial basis,” said Superintendent Dave Sloan, during Monday’s Committee of the Whole Meeting.

When Sloan looked, all he could find was a motion set forward in 1964 for the naming of one school, which the district believed could have been for Bert Bowes Middle School.

The names of schools in the district range from recognition of local figures, to geographic references. In Fort St. John, the majority of the schools in city limits are named after famous figures, with the exception of North Peace Secondary School and Ecole Central Elementary, which got a geographic nod.

Outside of Fort St. John, the rest of the schools are named for their region, such as Baldonnel Elementary and Upper Pine Elementary.

In the Committee of the Whole meeting, Sloan sent forward a recommendation that trustees establish criteria for a naming-protocol, and offered some suggestions. Other jurisdictions were also looked to, to see how they name their new schools. He found that Edmonton, and a community in Ontario called Halton, take suggestions from the public subject to criteria, and Calgary has a naming committee headed and run by trustees.

He recommended that schools be named after people who have made valuable contributions to the community, who represent diversity, and are renowned for historical and humanitarian contributions. He also recommended the names of notable figures be of those that have been deceased for at least five years, that the names stand the test of time, and that the names not be of people who are employees or trustees of the school board.

However, if the schools are named after another person, Sloan suggested trustees consider the name of a female pioneer in the community — as all the schools in the district named after people are named after men. He cited a push from the North Peace Historical Society to see more recognition of female figures in public buildings.

“If we’re going to continue the practice of naming buildings after people, we might want to add a little gender diversity,” Sloan said.

The names of female pioneers who left a great impact on the area were suggested, including Margaret Murray, Monica Storrs, Bella Yahey, and Anne Young.

Murray spearheaded the launch of the Alaska Highway News alongside her husband, George. She was very involved with the community and was remembered for her intelligent and out-spoken voice on a variety of topics — from politics to farming.

Storrs lived in the area from 1929 to 1950, before returning to England. According to the letter, she contributed to the community by traveling far distances to take care of people, for her work. She also accommodated students so they could attend school in town. Trustees received a letter from a student at Upper Pine Elementary School, urging them to name the new school after Storrs.

Yahey was born to the Great Chief Attachie of the Beaver First Nation, who, in 1900, signed Treaty 8. She married Charlie Yahey, who is the namesake of Charlie Lake, and passed away at the age of 118 in 1976. It’s believed that she was the oldest living Canadian at the time of her death.

Anne Young was the first registered nurse in the North Peace region. The North Peace Museum has a quilt made by Young, which bears the names of 99 babies she delivered. She is remembered for delivering between 300 to 400 babies, and sometimes having to travel to homesteads on horseback in outrageously cold temperatures to do it.

Sloan also presented a list of notable men who had an impact on the history of the area, as well.

The list includes Dr. Vasil Szilagyi, a pioneer dentist in the community; Frank Worth Beaton, Hudson’s Bay Factor; Grant McConachie, an avioator and founder of Canadian Pacific Airline; Ross H MacLean, a long-time supporter of minor hockey and youth athletics; and Alexander MacKenzie was explorer, widely accepted as first European to explore the area.

Considering geographic possibilities, Sloan said the district could consider Sunset Ridge Elementary, or even just stick with North West Elementary.

The $24.8-million school is expected to be finished by the end of next year. The two-storey K-6 school, near the Sunset Ridge residential development, will have room 365 students altogether — 40 kindergarten students and 325 in grades 1 to 6.

The City of Fort St. John awarded the district with their $2.5 million contribution in February, for a community centre/gymnasium at the school.