Some Northern Students Face Longer Bus Rides

Some Northern Students Face Longer Bus Rides

Wednesday, July 09, 2003 at 15:40

 

 

 

The closure of 2 schools in northern Saskatchewan and the end of the high school program in Green Lake means a number of students will be spending a great deal of time in transit.

 

Kids from Buffalo Hills School in Michel Village will now be bussed to the neighboring community of St. Georges Hill, roughly 17 kilometers away.

 

High school students from Green Lake will now have to take a 20-minute bus ride to the high school in Meadow Lake for grades 10, 11 and 12.

 

As well, Northern Lights School Division spokesman Ralph Pilz says some kids from Garson Lake School will be home schooling while others will have to move to La Loche for the school year.

 

Low enrollment is the reason for the closures — a decision that Pilz says is never easy.

 

Pilz says the schools in Michel Village and Garson Lake will be decomissioned for now, but adds that Northern Lights will be keeping a close eye on the situation.

 

On a positive note, Pilz says the fact that the students will be attending larger schools means that more courses, activities and sports programs will now be available to those students.