Nova Scotia schools open doors for Fort McMurray students

At least 30 children whofled the Fort McMurray wildfireswith their familiesare now settling into classrooms in Nova Scotia to resume their education.

Maryellen MacDonald's daughtersGabbi, 8, and Olivia, 6,started at H.M. MacDonaldElementary School in Antigonish on Thursday.

"It was wonderful to see them come out smiling, playing," she tells Radio-Canada."We want them to stay engaged and keep themselves busy, so they don't have time to think about it."

'Sense of normalcy'

Danny MacDonald, Maryellen's husband and father of the girls, says only the basement is left of their home in theBeacon Hill neighbourhood of Fort McMurray, but they hope to rebuild.

So far, he says it's a relief to have the girls in school.

"It gives them a sense of normalcy," he says. "That's the biggest load off my mind."

• 'I'm heartbroken':Beacon Hill neighbourhood all but lost in the wildfire

At least four school boards in Nova Scotia have welcomed Fort McMurray students. Here are the numbers:

• 15 Strait Regional School Board
• 10 Cape Breton-Victoria School Board
• 3Conseilscolaireacadienprovincial (CSAP)
• 2 Chignecto-Central Regional School Board
• None at Tri-County Regional School Boardor South ShoreRegional School Board
• Annapolis Valley Regional School Boarddoesn't have numbers yet
• Halifax Regional School Boardcouldn't say where newly enrolled students are comingfrom

'Lots of space'

The Strait Regional School Board has seen declining enrolment in recent years, as have many Nova Scotia schools, says PaulLandry, the student services manager.

"We have lots of space to accommodatenew students into the board,"Landrysays."We'recertainly willing to work with them in any instance, whether short term or long term."

Support available

The student can access a school psychologist or guidance counsellor, among other services, if they need help processing the trauma, he says.

"We try to make that as easy as possible for them," he says.

• N.S. high school adopts displaced Fort Mac school members

United Way also provided school supplies, says MaryellenMacDonald, who works for the charity in Alberta.

'Blue skies'

DannyMacDonald says Fort McMurraybecame home after he moved from Antigonish two decades ago for work.

Last week, hepicked up his daughters from school and packed what they could from the house.

"When I was pulling out, everything was up in flames," he says."I couldn't believe it. It was blue skies that day."

'Back to your roots'

In a hotel in Edmonton, trying to sort out insurance, he decided to come back to his other home.

"Best place to go is back to your roots," he says."They always say you can always come home, and I'm home."

• Store owner making sure Fort Mac grads get their special prom

So far, one of the highlightsat school for daughter Oliviawas holdinga baby chick, and Gabbi says she's played kickball and made friends.

"Yesterday I told them the whole story," Gabbi says. "They asked a lot questions, like was it scary and did you get to pack any toys."

Her father says he'll return to work in Alberta in a few weeks, and hopes the family will join him for the newschool year.

'Would be nice if they were staying'

That seems to bea common goal for families, says Lorne Green, chair of theCape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board.

"It would be nice if they were staying," Green says. "This is all just going to be a temporary thing until their lives get settled back in Fort McMurray."

• Trudeau tours wildfire-destroyed Fort McMurray, meets with those who've battled 'the beast'

No school records

Green says the board hasn'tbeen able to get school records from Alberta in the midstthe chaos, butthey're supporting the children as best as possible.

"We'revery,very,very glad that we can be of assistance to these children," Greensays.

Thathelp is appreciated by the MacDonald family,Danny MacDonaldsays:"You couldn't ask for a better spot than Nova Scotia,and the warm open hearts."