Planning continues apace for the new elementary school set to open adjacent to Simon Fraser University in September.

A principal has been designated, current Parkcrest elementary principal Lori Driussi, and potential school names are being considered from 70 suggestions submitted by the public.

Three learning themes have also been set–sustainability, community involvement and learning through inquiry.

The school building itself, a former SFU building currently being renovated, will play a part in the sustainability lessons, according to Burnaby school district’s assistant superintendent Kevin Kaardal.

When completed, it will be the first renovation in the province to reach a gold standard in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The school grounds will also serve as teaching areas, with a garden and outside classroom.

The district hopes to develop partnerships with SFU faculty members, particularly the education faculty, to engage with the elementary’s students, as well as provide space at the school for community programs run by Burnaby’s parks and recreation department.

Learning through inquiry, known as the Summit Learning Program, is offered at several other Burnaby schools and involves students looking at the world through “big ideas” that they would study over extended periods of time, Kaardal said.

As for the school building, it’s been designed to allow for collaboration between classes. Flexible spaces mean hallways could be converted to a small study space, and four rooms could become five or six.

The school will eventually house 250 students, drawn from residents of the UniverCity and SFU communities and those who attend the SFU childcare centre.

Deadline for registration is Feb. 28.

wchow@burnabynewsleader.com