Parry Sound High School and Francis Pegahmagabow Elementary School Update
October 14, 2026
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We’re pleased to confirm that Grade 7/8 students will return to the hex pods at Parry Sound High School on Monday, October 19.
With the major repairs complete, our facilities team is now focused on getting the classrooms ready for students and staff. They are working hard to clean the spaces, move furniture back into place and complete the final preparations ahead of Monday’s return.
The new short-throw projectors for the hex pods have been back-ordered. In the meantime, LCD projectors will be available in the classrooms to support teaching and learning. The new equipment will be installed once it arrives.
There is also some good news to share about the exterior work. The Joseph Street parking lot is now complete and provides approximately twice the parking capacity of the temporary parking lot. The upper parking lot, formerly known as the ‘Student Parking’ lot, as well as the temporary parking lot will be closed effective tomorrow, October 15.
Temporary lines are being painted on the track and, weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed this week. We ask that students continue to stay off the grass inside the track to give it time to take root and grow before the area is used for play and recreational activities.
Site work will now focus on completing the Isabella Street parking lot and transforming the area previously used for temporary parking into the elementary school yard. Field work and the installation of permanent fencing around the yard are planned over the coming weeks, with timelines dependent on weather conditions.
The new playground is also nearing completion. The equipment has been installed, and landscaping, including the addition of mulch, is expected to be finished over the next couple of days. Students will be able to use the playground once the work is complete and the final inspection has taken place.
We know this has been a challenging stretch for students, staff and families. Having students return to their hex pods is important, and we’re looking forward to seeing them back in their classrooms. Thank you again to the Parry Sound High School and Francis Pegahmagabow staff, facilities staff, IT team and contractors for their continued work to move this project forward.
We respectfully ask that everyone be mindful of the emails they send and the comments they post on social media. Negative or hurtful messages are not helpful in moving things forward, and sharing unverified information can create unnecessary confusion in the community.
Our priority is continuing to keep students safe, in school and learning. We will continue working through the remaining issues as we move forward. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we focus on what matters most: our students.
Jay MacJanet
CEO/CEDO
Rebecca Bell
Supervisor
