Calgary kids’ first day at Mahogany Elementary School

Mahogany Elementary School opened its doors for the first time Thursday.

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) says this is one of four new schools opening in 2022.

Children going into grades K-4 saw 600 new faces at the newly built elementary school.

Calgary mother Kanwal Shah’s son, who is in Grade 4 this year, was among the many children to start at the new school Thursday.

Shah says the school is “cool” and is happy Mahogany is just around the corner from where they live.

“I think it’s better because the school is right in the community. Now we’re like just a block away,” Shah said. “It’s easier now that he doesn’t have to take the bus. So, there’s less commute time, early [to come] home, and you can wake up a little better in the morning.”

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Sandra Gaytan dropped off her son, who says he is excited to start Grade 1.

“I’m going to learn new stuff and get new friends,” Tyler said.

Gayten, who is expecting another child, has lived in Calgary for just under two years. She is originally from Mexico and moved to the city from Texas.

She says her son going to a brand new school is a new experience for her family.

“It’s very nostalgic and I’m very happy and very excited for him,” said Gayten. “We’re all excited. He’s growing up. And I want him to be independent and happy. And I’m sure this is going to be really good.”

A boy in tears is held by a woman outside Mahogany Elementary School in Calgary on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. Some children were nervous for their first day, and for some, it was a change from being with their parents at home. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews photo).

New school, new changes to protocol

Mahogany Elementary principal Tracy Kohan says the school is filling up quick, with around 530 students registered. She adds that the new school “totally brings us together.”

“Mahogany has a pretty tight-knit community,” Kohan said. “And they have been anticipating this from the get-go. They’ve been watching this school grow from the first shovel in the ground, to the last solar panel on the roof.

“The first day of school is exciting no matter where you are, for kids, for families, for teachers, and we just can’t wait to kick this year off on an amazing note.”

This is also the first time in two years that both Calgary school boards will be holding in-person classes without any COVID restrictions.

Students will no longer be required to wear masks, test themselves for the virus, or disclose their vaccination status.

Kohan says some students may have a tough time with the transition.

“We do have students for sure that have never experienced anything without masks or without that view, a serious, full-on cleaning protocol happening all the time, and being more in individual seating,” Kohan said.

“So now that we’re able to go back to that collaborative way of working, we have a lot of things planned and activities and tasks that teachers have been working on.”

Kohan adds kids are still able to wear masks if they want to, and that teachers and staff will keep reminding them to wash their hands, saying “that’s the best way to go.”

As a mother, Shah says the changes to COVID-19 measures are welcomed.

“It’s obviously been very overwhelming for the kids, especially because 2020 was two years ago … so he was even way younger,” Shah said. “It was way more overwhelming for the kids to understand the fact that they need to wear a mask, go to the sanitizer, and all that kind of stuff.”

You can find more information on the CBE’s return to school for the CBE, families plan on its can find it by visiting their website.

-With files from Gaby Rios