Students are going to see quite a few new faces at Greentree School this year, though that isn’t the only change happening at the elementary school.
School began yesterday and here are just a few things they will see happening in Greentree School.
Fresh faces join teaching staff
It’s an exciting year at Greentree School in regards to teaching staff. There are five new teachers at the school.
At the end of last year, Barb Gammie, who had taught at the school for many years, retired. In her place comes Jacquie Kolm, who had previously taught at Drumheller Valley Secondary School. Kolm will be taking over for Gammie.
“We’re pleased to have her, she’s a fantastic teacher. She’s taking over for Barb Gammie who retired last year,” said associate principal of Greentree School Jane Smith.
The school is offering three full time kindergarten courses this year. As a result, Miss Taylor will joining the school as a new kindergarten teacher.
Shaila Schlachter, who some students will recognize from last year helping Mrs. Messom in Grade 3 as Ms. Collins, will now be teaching Grade 2 full time.
Covering for a maternity leave is Rob Hegberg. He will be at Greentree until February, 2013, and will help bolster the school’s athletics.
“He’s got an athletic background, so he’s excited to get involved with athletics at the school,” said Smith.
Grade 5 students will have a new teacher this year in Kim Pearson, who joined the school over the summer.
Lastly, the school has a new music teacher. Dennis Callahan moved from Ontario to take up a job with Greentree School. Callahan will be in charge of the school’s choir and music classes.
The new teachers also provide an opportunity to expand the school’s extracurricular activities. One of the options, currently lacking at the school, is a fine art program.
“We’re keeping the same student clubs and student focus this year. We’ll still be running lunch intramurals, after school sports, choir, band, student leadership opportunities,” said Smith. “With the new teachers coming on board, they bring their own expertise. Some have expressed interest in fine arts, so we might have some fine arts classes as well.”
School renovations complete
Greentree saw some renovations over the summer. The walls were knocked down between the science classrooms, formerly the junior high rooms, to create four new rooms.
“It was to accommodate the numbers of classes. We’ve been increasing the number of home rooms. We always like to keep our homerooms quite small,” said Smith.
School focused on student conduct and literacy
Greentree School has worked over the summer, on their Positive Behaviour Support program.
“Our school has worked on something called Positive Behaviour Support. We looked at the student code of conduct, we made some posters, and we’re going over it as a staff to make sure we’re on the same page with the Positive Behaviour Support Committee,” said Smith.
The school is also looking at improving strategic instruction this year through the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement. The goal will be to streamline instruction for students, particularly in regards to vocabulary and tying that in with literacy.
To help, Ashley Neefe will be working with teachers and staff to develop effective means of improving instruction.
Students rushed back into school yesterday for the first day of classes at Greentree School.
“Everything has been busy for the last couple days. Everyone was getting their classrooms ready for this year,” said Smith. “We’re really excited for the first day of school and to see the kids back.”
