Remi Poliquin
Counsel
Rooted in Community Growth at Birchwood Elementary
by Dan Mullins
As the off-island population rapidly expands, Birchwood Elementary is embracing an era of significant transformation. To meet immediate family needs, the Lester B. Pearson School Board is installing a new six-classroom modular building for the upcoming academic year. Rather than simply adding capacity, the school is thoughtfully reimagining its educational landscape to foster a deep sense of community belonging.
The demand for space has been driven by a booming off-island population, fueled by more affordable living costs and the arrival of a new hospital. While the Board has been granted the construction of a new elementary school to serve the region, that extensive process will take time to reach completion. The need to accommodate local families, however, is immediate. Birchwood Elementary, located in the West Region, serves as a central hub for municipalities including Vaudreuil, Saint-Lazare, and Les Coteaux-du-Lac, making it a logical site for the expansion. Principal Laurence Assouline embraces this evolution with optimism. “We are all at the station and we are all moving together,” Assouline explained, highlighting the shared momentum of the community.
Bringing this vision to life required a coordinated effort across the Lester B. Pearson School Board. Following thorough needs assessments, technical evaluations, and a formal request and approval process by the council of commissioners, the project officially moved forward. On January 6, 2026, Quebec’s Minister of Education officially authorized $2,008,049 for the addition of six modular classrooms at Birchwood. Assouline emphasized the crucial support she received from the Directorate throughout this transition, noting that they helped solidify a comprehensive vision for the school’s future. Meanwhile, Jean-Mitchell has taken the lead in managing the complex construction and site logistics, ensuring the project progresses smoothly alongside the school’s daily operations.
The two-storey modular addition will contain six physical classrooms. However, the administration is being highly intentional about how that growth is managed. Next year, the school will welcome four new classes, specifically two K4, one K5, and one Grade 3 class. By focusing on younger students, the school ensures that expansion feels natural. “We are trying to control the growth by the roots, by the kindergarten,” Assouline noted. “Because this is how you build your community also.”
This targeted expansion has prompted a complete internal reorganization of the school. Next year, the first floor will be dedicated exclusively to the six kindergarten classes, while Cycle 3 students will move into the new modular classrooms. Integrating the new portables has also required reallocating a portion of the existing grounds, sparking a comprehensive redesign of the schoolyard. Assouline has been collaborating closely with Jean-Mitchell, an architect, and an urban planner specialized in schoolyard layouts to ensure the new space meets Ministry standards while reflecting a strong focus on outdoor education.
Navigating such a massive logistical shift at the end of the school year has been demanding, but progressive communication has kept the focus on family and community. Presentations were made to the staff and the Governing Board to ensure transparency and reassure parents. The school hopes to unveil the completed modulars and redesigned yard with a community corn roast on September 3. Despite the upheaval, the expansion is ultimately a celebration of a flourishing, family-oriented educational institution. As Assouline reflected on welcoming the next generation of students, the mission remains clear. “You really starting with the roots right, and starting the growth with kindergarten, this is how you’re building the community.”
