Students made their way back to school last week after the summer recess, with staff anticipating a busy first few days as everyone gets back to routine.
“We're very excited to start off a new year and welcome back all those families that are coming back to us and those who are new. I think we've got lots of really good things going on for students in terms of learning and extracurricular activities. (There is) lots of focus on literacy and numeracy,” said Debbie Thompson, principal of Ecole Olds Elementary School.
The school welcomed new teachers Jamie vande Pypekamp and Leanne Rinne, Grade 1 and Grade 4 French immersion teachers, respectively.
Thompson estimated that the school is up to about 550 students, up about 15 to 20 from projections. The school is having a meet-the-teacher barbecue on Sept. 13 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
At Deer Meadow School, principal Randy Wiberg said the school has about 455 to 460 students to start the year, up about 10 from projections. That is down however, from the high point a couple of years ago.
“That's always encouraging that our numbers are up instead of down. The population is stable and we have a nice size,” he said.
“We're looking forward to a great year here,” he said.
Wiberg said he is encouraged there will be about 40 to 50 academy offerings at the school for Grade 7 and 8 students this year, encouraging everything from the arts to sports.
“We're going to build on some of our successes from last year, where for the first time in about a decade we had two drama productions last year and we're looking forward to doing those things again,” he said.
