Dawson City students will not be going back to class this week as scheduled.
An Aug. 17 Facebook post and an email to families from superintendent Marilyn Marquis-Forster announced the intended Aug. 18 start date for Robert Service School has been pushed back until next week.
Instead, the school will be opening on Aug. 22 for the new school year.
Progress on multiple school construction projects that are impacting the school’s ability to safely open and to allow the school’s staff to be ready to receive students is being cited as the reason for the delay.
“We acknowledge learning has been interrupted for the last three school years and it is important that students have a full school year,” reads the email.
“In the coming days, we will be working closely with the school council, school administration and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to determine the best approach to make up this learning time.”
In an email on the evening of Aug. 17, Clarissa Wall, director of community relations and engagement for the department of Education, said there are two constuction projects going on at the school: water and drainage repairs, and painting the classrooms.
The water and drainage work is the “primary cause” for the delay, according to Wall.
Water has been turned back on and the painting is in the final stage, which will allow staff to prepare for classes on Aug. 22.
“Staff are working hard to get the school ready for students and we look forward to welcoming them back on Monday,” Wall said.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com