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Napan Elementary School will transition to a Kindergarten-only school beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, bringing together young learners from across the Miramichi East catchment area in a dedicated early learning environment.

As part of this reconfiguration, all students who registered for Kindergarten at King Street Elementary have been transferred to Napan Elementary for September.

Students in Grades 1–5 who would have attended Napan Elementary beginning in September 2026 will attend King Street School instead.

This change is designed to support a strong and focused early learning environment for Kindergarten students while maintaining clear pathways for all other grade levels within the catchment area.

District Superintendent Dean Mutch noted the broader system impact of the change.

“We are very much looking forward to this new endeavour for Napan Elementary and the opportunities it creates for our youngest learners. The Province is also eager to see how this innovative approach will benefit students, staff, and the broader community. This reconfiguration not only extends the life and purpose of Napan Elementary, but also eases significant pressure at King Street School by creating more available classroom spaces, helping us better meet the needs of families across the catchment.”
— Dean Mutch, District Superintendent

Principal Barbara Brown shared her excitement for the transition.

“This new chapter for Napan Elementary is very exciting. We look forward to welcoming our new Kindergarten students and families and sharing what makes our school such a special place. Working together with families will help create a positive and joyful start for our Kindergarten students.”
— Barbara Brown, Principal, Napan Elementary

The school has already begun connecting with incoming families. On March 20, 2026, Napan Elementary welcomed future students and their families during its On My Way to Kindergarten event, offering an opportunity to explore the school and begin building relationships ahead of September.

Families who have already registered their child at either King Street Elementary or Napan Elementary do not need to take any further steps, as student files have been transferred. Any outstanding documentation, such as Medicare information or updated health details, can be submitted directly to the school.

Kindergarten registration remains open for families who have not yet enrolled their child. Registration can be completed at Napan Elementary between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

School supply lists will be shared with families by email in late June.

For questions or additional information, families are encouraged to contact Principal Barbara Brown at 506-778-6080, visit the Napan Elementary School Connect Facebook page, or check the school website at napanelementary.nbed.ca for updates.

On Saturday, March 21, 2026, Anglophone North School District welcomed students, families, educators, and community partners to James M. Hill High School in Miramichi for its annual STEM Fest to celebrate student learning, curiosity, and innovation.

The event brought together over 80 learners from across the district to showcase their scientific investigations and design projects, highlighting the strength of inquiry-based learning in ASD-N classrooms. Throughout the day, students demonstrated their ability to ask questions, investigate real-world problems, and communicate their findings. The day also included public viewing, interactive STEM partner sessions, and a closing science show and awards ceremony. Community partners and organizations were on-site, providing hands-on experiences and highlighting STEM opportunities available to students.

Gold medals were awarded to:

Gr 3-5

• Charlotte Wheaton – Paint Science (Janeville Elementary School)
• Morgan Daley – Can You Tell the Difference? (Janeville Elementary School).

Gr 6

• Ariana LeGresley and Emma MacKinley – The Nose Knows or Does It? (Nelson Rural School)
• Charlee-Rae Hughes – Nourritive et sentiments (Dr. Losier Middle School)
• River Pictou and Carter Johnson – Sturdy Bridges (Dalhousie Regional High School).

Gr 7-12

• Renee Martin – Rendre l’invisible visible (Nelson Rural School)
• Ingrid Watling – The Most ‘Eggcelent’ Toothpaste of All (Superior Middle School)
• Alexa Chamberlain – Chill Out (Superior Middle School)

All projects demonstrated strong observational skills and thoughtful experimentation and students’ ability to design investigations and apply scientific understanding to real-world contexts.

Three outstanding Gr 7-12 projects that also received gold medals, were selected to represent the district at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Edmonton, AB May 23-30 2026:

• Jonah Flanagan – DIY VR Headset (Jacquet River School)
• Jude Murphy – Mycelium Might (Nelson Rural School)
• Trent Collins – Stitching for Strength (Superior Middle School)

These projects demonstrated exceptional innovation, depth of inquiry, and real-world application.

A huge thanks goes out to our session facilitators: Brilliant Labs, The Gaia Project, Let’s Talk Science, Science East and the ASD-N ICE Center (Aviation). Our day also wouldn’t have been possible without our community sponsors and judges: APEGNB, Sunny Corner Enterprises, MREAC, EECD, City of Miramichi, Miramichi Salmon Association, Retired ASD-N Educators, NBCC and Centres of Excellence.

STEM Fest continues to reflect the district’s commitment to developing scientifically literate learners who can investigate, make sense of, and communicate their understanding of the world around them. Through events like this, students are empowered to see themselves as scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers who are ready to contribute to their communities and future careers. Thank you to all the teachers and parents/guardians who supported students in this endeavor and to our ASD-N Science Team for hosting STEM Fest 2026.