New Saskatoon elementary schools named after athletes, scientists

Saskatoon's public school board is looking to the past for the names of its new elementary schools.

At Tuesday night's meeting, the Saskatoon Board of Education chose the names for four new elementary schools in the city.

The new school in Evergreen will be named after Doctor Sylvia Fedoruk, developer of the world's first Cobalt 60 unit used to treat cancer. In Hampton Village, the school will be named after famed artist Ernest Lindner. Rosewood's school will be named after Paralympic athlete and former Saskatoon teacher Colette Bourgonje. Finally, Stonebridge's new school will be named after Chief Whitecap, founder of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation and co-founder of the city of Saskatoon.

"Our board of trustees has chosen to honour four admirable individuals who have made incredible contributions to our community," said school board chair Ray Morrison. "The legacy of each of these four individuals represents the priorities of our school division, not to mention that they set an inspiring example for the students who will learn and grow in these new schools."

The choices were made after consultations with the public, which generated a long list of names. Board members then shortened the list down to four names.

"As advocates for public education being open to all, we feel these four names represent the diversity, strength and richness we value so much in our students," said Morrison.

The schools are scheduled to open September 2017.