Prince George, B.C. – A Fort McMurray family displaced by last week’s harrowing wildfire has found refuge in Prince George and plan to enroll at least one of their three children in a local school for the remainder of the school year.

Interim superintendent Sharon Cairns with the Prince George School District isn’t releasing the family’s name but confirms they recently reached out to the district’s head office.

“They contacted our board office and have been given some information about the schools that would be in the neighbourhood of the hotel they’re staying with.”

She says one of the children, an elementary aged student, will start classes today while the child’s two siblings, secondary students, will be encouraged to register for the remainder of the year.

“The employee at the secondary school was told that the Fort McMurray students already have been granted credit for the courses they were in before the fire. We would like them to consider further learning for the next six weeks and registering with us.”

Cairns says this is not the only family that has settled in the district.

“We have a family in Valemount. My understanding is that it’s not their plan to remain there. Their plan is to return to Fort McMurray as soon as they can.”

As such, she notes the family does not plan to enroll their two children in any classes.