INNISFAIL - The new school year begins today (Sept. 4) in Innisfail and the area for students in both the Chinook's Edge School Division and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.
And with Chinook's Edge there will be major school leadership changes. Chris Adamson, who is new to the division, is the new vice-principal at Innisfail High School (IHS). Clark Peters moves from Penhold Elementary School to serve as the new principal of Innisfail Middle School, and Dana Schafer, who is new to the division, is the new vice-principal.
Penhold Crossing Secondary School is bringing in two well-known Innisfail educators to fill key roles. Scott MacDonald, the former vice-principal at IHS, is the new principal while Deen Lockhat, the former acting vice-principal at IHS, is Penhold Crossing's new vice-principal.
In the meantime the new principals and vice-principals throughout Chinook's Edge will be joined by 32 teachers who are either new to the profession or new to the division. They recently took part in the annual New Teacher Orientation, a three-day orientation and mentorship program, which is broadly considered to be one of the most extensive programs of its kind in Alberta. Five new teachers from Innisfail, Penhold and Bowden took part.
Lissa Steele, associate superintendent of learning services, described this year’s participants as highly positive and engaged.
· Students: Walk on sidewalks, use marked crosswalks and controlled intersections (wherever they are available) or where there are lights/crossing guards, and refrain from listening to loud music and texting while walking – it’s not cool.
· Parents: Take the time to go over important safety tips with your children such as making eye contact with drivers before crossing the street to be sure that they are being seen.
· Drivers: Be careful when driving in and around school zones – respect the posted speed limit and expect to see students crossing, especially around the time they arrive at and leave school.
