Arcola School is looking forward to a good year and have welcomed new staff to the school.
The school welcomes approximately 220 kids this year from pre-K through grade 12, which Principal Kevin Hengen says is comparable to last year.
"It's about the same as last year although our projections for the coming years show an increase with a lot of young families in the area," Hengen said.
This year the school is focusing on two main initiatives which are part of the school division's four-year plan, including improving math scores and encouraging early learning.
"We're looking to improve the students' success in math, so we'll be focused on that in the classroom with activities and identification of where students are struggling," Hengen explained.
"The other initiative is a focus on early learning, which our SCC [School Community Council] has been doing for a couple of years now. They provide newborn packages including books for children and a list of developmental benchmarks prior to coming to school. And that has been something the SCC, the public health nurse and the Pheasant Rump public health nurse have been involved with."
This year the school also welcomes three new additions to the staff and are also welcoming back Jeff Bohnert, who is returning to teaching grade six after a year off.
Coming back to the school she graduated from, Janine Houston is taking on a one-year RTI position.
"I was in Manor for four years, but it's nice to be back, I'll be able to walk to work," Houston smiled. "It's nice to be here and I'm happy to be back."
"I'm working in learning support this year, working with kids who need that little extra help."
Houston will also be working with fellow teacher Carlee Annis in coaching the junior boy's volleyball team.
Kyle Tetarenko is originally from Tisdale and is interning in Arcola through the University of Regina's Education program. He is working towards an elementary degree and following his internship will be finished.
Tetarenko is interning in the grade two class with the guidance of Cindy Ellis, while he is also taking on the position of senior boys volleyball coach where he will be working alongside Eugene Brown.
"I really like it," Tetarenko explained. "I was here earlier in June to meet everyone and see the school and I absolutely loved it. I was here for sports day and it was probably one of the best days I've ever seen. So, since I've been here everyone's so friendly, the staff is so supportive, and it's been good."
"I'm looking forward to it for the rest of the year."
Dan Graf, originally of Regina, is taking over as the school's Community Education Liaison.
"We were living in Regina and we moved here at the beginning of the year," Graf explained of moving to the area with his wife and two children. "My wife took a position as a counselor in the school system in Estevan and in Bienfait, so we came here and I took over the parental leave then started looking for a job and this position came open..."
Graf has 15-years experience working at a group home in Regina with at-risk youth.
"I like working with kids, so I thought this would be a good fit," he said.
"It's a whole new position and a whole new learning curve so I'm looking forward to it and to just kind of get my feet wet. The community is very nice and the community is very welcoming."
