Crews are working on changes to Summerland Middle School, in advance of the transition of the building becoming Summerland Elementary School this fall.

Todd Manuel, superintendent of the Okanagan Skaha School District, said some changes are necessary to convert the building to a Kindergarten to Grade 6 facility.

Sinks are being installed in the primary classrooms, and washrooms are being installed in the Kindergarten classrooms. 

Handrails will be added to the stairways in the school.

鈥淲e鈥檙e well positioned to welcoming our primary learners,鈥� Manuel said.

Outside, the school will have new playground equipment and a new sports area for the children.

The changes come as the school district has made some changes to its structure. Instead of an elementary, middle and secondary school model, the school district will have Kindergarten to Grade 6 students in two elementary schools, and Grades 7 to 12 in Summerland Secondary School.

Giant鈥檚 Head School will be closed after this school year is over in June, with the students relocating to the new Summerland Elementary School. Trout Creek Elementary School will remain open, but the school will now house Kindergarten to Grade 6 students.

The restructuring was approved by the school board in the spring of 2024.

According to the target set in the Ministry of Education and Child Care鈥檚 facilities guidelines, schools should be at 95 per cent of capacity. However, Summerland schools have been at 69 per cent of capacity.

In addition to the school restructuring, the school district is constructing a daycare facility at the school site. This facility will be operated by BGC Okanagan once it is completed.