Merritt students set to be back in school by early new year

MERRITT, B.C. — School District 58 (SD58) is announcing its face-to-face learning plan which will allow Merritt students to access in-person learning by mid-January.

Since the Coldwater River burst its banks, flooding the city of Merritt — just over a month ago — many Merritt students have been forced to continue their studies online.

While three schools remain damaged and unusable, SD58 has been looking at alternative learning spaces to get students back into their seats.

The former Coquihalla Middle School will be used for grades 8 to 10 of Merritt Secondary School which is now closed.

Merritt Central Elementary students will be in classrooms at the crossroads and evangelical free churches.

Meanwhile, students from Diamond Vale Elementary, which is also closed, will join classes at Merritt Bench, Collettville, and Nicola Canford Schools on Monday.

SD58 says it has hired a mental health clinician to provide students support after the flood and is working to source another clinician. Almost 100 families and students have accessed this service so far.