Sníne Elementary ready to welcome more than 300 students as Kamloops’ first new school in 25 years

More than 300 students are already registered, including an eager principal preparing to open a brand new school for the first time in her career.

“This is my first school opening,” says Rosie Caputo, the principal of Snine Elementary. “I’m really looking forward to working with all of the families and creating that partnership, and I know all of our staff are really looking forward to that and being part of this community in Pineview.”

Inside, the standout wood isn’t just an accent, it’s part of the school’s foundation. Much of the building was constructed with mass timber sourced from the Kootenay region.

“It’s two by six plywood, and a lot of the structural elements are made of that,” says Art McDonald, the director of facilities for SD73. “So a lot of the walls, the floors are made of that, the roof deck is made of that and the idea is to use B.C. source materials.”

The result is a warmer, more natural setting with new classrooms, a library and a gymnasium — all waiting to be filled — though some lessons will take students beyond the school’s walls.

“Students love being outside,” Caputo tells the CFJC Today team Friday (Aug. 28). “There’s some outdoor blackboards as well, so if they can be outside and learning and just breathing in the fresh air and having the green trees around them, I think that’ll be amazing for them.”

Those outdoor learning spaces include an indigenous garden which was also designed to welcome students from across the district to learn more about indigenous culture, and storytelling. The school’s name, “Snine” means “Owl” in Secwepemctsín, a symbol that will support shaping the school’s identity.

“An owl is seen as a guardian and someone to watch over. So that is why we chose the name ‘the Snine Sentinels.’ Someone to watch over and guide us.” adds Caputo.

The building may be finished, but it still awaits traditions, character and the community. Which will all be created by the people about to walk through those doors.

“You always get butterflies the first day.” says Caputo, explaining her excitement for the school’s opening.

Those butterflies arrive when Snine opens its doors on the eight of September.

Ultimately, once students and staff have settled in, the school will begin planning its formal ‘opening celebration,’ marking a first for Kamloops in a quarter century.

by Jeremy Russo

Sníne Elementary ready to welcome more than 300 students as Kamloops’ first new school in 25 years

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