École Maple Elementary School has been selected as the new name for École Kingston East
Elementary School (ÉKEES) by Trustees of the Limestone District School Board at
a regular Board Meeting May 18, 2022.
École Maple Elementary School was chosen from
a short list of four names provided to Trustees by the École Kingston East Elementary School (ÉKEES) Renaming Committee. The final four names –Butternut Creek, Forestview, Maple and Mapleview – were selected from a variety of suggestions provided through considerable
consultation and work within the community.
Trustees voted unanimously to initiate a
renaming process for the former École Sir John A. Mcdonald Elementary School in
June 2021. “The Board of Trustees
acknowledges the ongoing pain and harm related to the use of that name within
our school communities but particularly with Indigenous members,” said Board
Chair Suzanne Ruttan. “A new name, I believe, is one step on the journey to
truth and reconciliation.” She extended sincere appreciation on behalf of all
Trustees to the members of the Renaming Committee for their diligence and
commitment to the renaming process.
The naming process was overseen by the ÉKEES Renaming Committee which
included student, parent/guardian, staff and Indigenous community representatives.
The committee sought input from the school and the greater Kingston community
through a year-long consultation, including three online community surveys, a
week-long collection of student voice, and a Walking the Land and school tour
for Trustees.
The renaming process followed a process that was used in previous
school naming processes but with an emphasis on how and why the former name was
harmful, and what name attributes would respect and honour the Indigenous
experience. The board’s Indigenous Education Team supported a significant and
age-appropriate education component for ÉKEES
Kindergarten to Grade 6 students during November 2021 which is also Indigenous Education
Month in Limestone. Families and community members were also provided with an
education component to support their understanding of the renaming process. École
Kingston East Elementary School, the interim
name for the school, was the placeholder name used while the school was under
construction.
With the new name decided, the school will now work on a redesign
of the school logo. The Majors athletic crest and school colours of red and
black will remain. Given there are just a few weeks left in this school year and
the need to implement a few logistical changes, the school will remain École Kingston East Elementary School for the remainder
of the school year. École Maple Elementary
School will officially be in place for the start of the 2022-2023 school
year.