With students back in the classroom starting Sept. 4, teachers and principals across the district can hardly contain their excitement.
“It’s always invigorating for a new school year and to see what the kids have been up to over the summer,” said St. Mary School principal Vance Nakonechny.
“It’s always nice to reconnect.”
Nakonechny said he was particularly enthusiastic about the junior high’s new options program. Historically students at SMS have had to choose between courses like drama and band, but this year they will get a smattering of classes with six-week curriculum to get a much broader education.
“We’re giving kids a lot more choices. It will change each semester, but this semester they can take foods, they can take drama, band, robotics, technology, web design and we even have an active fitness class,” he said. “It gives them more exposure and variety in different experiences.”
While enrolment is still settling down, Nakonechny estimated the school would have around 275 students this year.
Aside from strong academics, he added the big goal for the school is to help students develop and maintain a positive attitude about the work they do.
“Our theme this year is listening to God’s word with joy. I think the key word there is ‘joy’,” he said. “We want to celebrate successes and achievements of students. We need to be present and appreciate those around us and our own growth.”
R.F Staples numbers
While junior high numbers are down slightly, R.F. Staples school principal Wayne Rufiange said his high school numbers are holding steady, with a total enrolment of roughly 700.
He said the school is focusing on strengthening its academic programs but a big project Rufiange is hoping to build on is the school’s mentorship program.
“Students can get up to six high school credits by helping support our Grade 7 students coming into the building with some extra guidance from someone who isn’t an adult and can relate to them on a more personal level,” he said.
“They can provide skill development regarding issues like bullying or even more basic help navigating the school and setting up time management schedules.”
Other areas Rufiange said he was focusing on was expanding the school’s numeracy lessons to all subjects so that students are polishing their math skills even while studying English or crafting in art.
One area of focus at R.F. Staples this year is helping kids take on big challenges and overcoming adversity. Rufiange said it was important to show kids that taking the harder road can yield far greater rewards.
“We’re not expecting kids to be calculus wizards, but we need to work on making math more accessible,” he said.
“Perseverance and resiliency in academics is important. Kids need to learn it’s okay to struggle and build life skills through accepting challenges.”
Personal wellness of students is also top of mind this year, with school staff being encouraged to help students cope with social media and the pitfalls that could come with it, make better dietary choices and putting more work into their personal well being.
WES up slightly
Westlock Elementary School principal Pierre Ouimet is ready to go.
While he has no major changes planned for the year as far as curriculum goes, Ouimet noted the new Grade K-4 curriculum currently being developed would trickle into the school over the year.
“It’s evolving and will be rolling out right away,” he said. “One of the main changes is the integration of subject areas. So you don’t just teach Chemistry or Social Studies, you try to find connections between disciplines. That idea has been around for awhile but it is way easier to do in elementary school.”
In the past few years enrolment has dropped at WES, but this year the school is closing in on 500 students and Ouimet said it appears that drought has passed.
He said his big focus is to emphasize the district’s goals of numeracy, literacy, diversity and relationships to help promote better inclusion of students across the school.
“A full generation ago there were some kids that were not included. There would be separate schools or separate wings of the school to divide kids,” he said. “Those days are long gone and we need to keep doing what we can to include all students.”
WES is the only school in town hosting a big celebration of the return to school. On Sept. 11 they will be hosting their “Back to School Barbecue” to help parents, kids and teachers get to know each other.
