Greentree School is continuing its focus on literacy as it enters the new school year.
     Classes resumed at the K-6 school Wednesday, August 28. Associate principal Jane Smith says there are some exciting developments coming in to the new school year.    
    While final student numbers have not been confirmed, she  says they expect there will be more than 400 students. This year they have two full time Kindergarten classes as well as a part time Kindergarten program. There are also three classes per grade this year and four Grade 2 classes, keeping class sizes manageable.
    “We are continuing to offer a holistic approach with an emphasis on the Fine arts and our athletic programming,” said Smith.
     Mrs. Cassidy, who last year taught Grade 1, is teaching part time Kindergarten class as well as administering the school’s reading intervention program.
    “As well we get early literacy support from Golden Hills, so we are really working on our reading at this school,” said Mrs. Smith.
     Other staff changes include Erin Palmer who is teaching Grade 2, last year she taught early literacy. Stina Norman is also teaching Grade 2, last year she was on staff for a maternity leave.
    Shaila Schlachter is at the school teaching Grade 3. Teaching Grade 4  are Kaitlin Mattatall, who last year did her practicum at Greentree School. Ciara Schauerte is also teaching Grade 4. There is a new face teaching Grade 5, Karli Alm is joining the staff after teaching overseas in China. Rob Hegberg has joined the Grade 6 team.
    There have also been a few changes to the facility. They have made more space for Grade 6 classrooms by renovating part of the Library.
    “It’s good to be back to see all the faces of the students and staff. It’s good to get back into a routine,” said Smith. “We continue to work on delivering the best education we can.”

    The Drumheller RCMP are asking residents to stop, following increased incidents of rolling right turns at major intersections in town.
    Under the Traffic Safety Act, vehicles are required to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or red light, even when turning right.
    “People are not coming to a stop at stop signs when they are turning right. They are coming up to them and treating them like poor yield signs. There is also the requirement to come to a complete stop, even when at a red light,” said Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins of the Drumheller RCMP. “It is a lawful requirement when turning right that you have to bring your vehicle to a complete stop at a stop sign or red light.’
    RCMP will be increasing enforcement. Tickets for failing to stop can result in a hefty fine.
“We should have increased enforcement at those intersections. Failing to come to a complete stop is a violation and you could be subject to a fine of $287,” said Hopkins.
    However, failing to stop at an intersection could be more dangerous than simply receiving a ticket.
    “The majority of accidents occur at intersections. If people obeyed the signs at those intersections, most accidents would be greatly reduced,” said Hopkins.

Drumheller RCMP are cracking down on motorists who are rolling through right turns. Under the Traffic Safety Act, motorists must come to a complete stop at all stop signs and red lights, even when turning right. Failure to stop comes with a hefty fine. RCMP members will be increasing enforcement and handing out tickets to offenders.