School started early this year for Creighton students, who headed back to class on Tuesday Sept. 1.
Jason Straile, the new principal at Creighton Community School, shared some thoughts on the upcoming year with The Reminder.
Fresh faces
In addition to Straile moving from VP to principal, Wendy Bentley and Janel Pearson, both Creighton teachers last year, have taken on vice-principal positions.
Although a new administrative team will likely bring some fresh perspective to the school, there are no major changes planned at this point.
“We will take a look at how things are going and evaluate as the year goes on,” said Straile.
Alishia McCorriston, Hillary Scully and Mike Miller will be joining the Creighton teaching staff this year.
Sharing music
This year marks the third year for a unique service-sharing program between the Flin Flon and Creighton school divisions.
Creighton students in grades 6 to 8 are bused to and from Ruth Betts Community School to access band classes.
Before this program began, there was no band option for Creighton students, Straile explained.
Students now in Grade 8 were the first to benefit from the program.
When those students move to Grade 9, Straile said the school will support those who want to join the band program at Hapnot Collegiate on an individual basis rather than sending classes over.
Fall sports
Senior volleyball tryouts began this week, and Senior A girls and boys will be jumping right into a volleyball tournament on Sept. 11 and 12.
The Creighton Kodiaks football team is already in full swing after two weeks of summer training. Kodiaks played their first game of the season yesterday.
Long-term goals
In professional development sessions, Straile says the school will be working with the Saskatchewan Education Sector Strategic Plan, which sets out goals to be achieved by 2020.
Key goals include 80 per cent of students reading at grade level by the end of Grade 3, 85 per cent of students graduating on time, and increasing achievement and graduation rates for First Nations and Métis students.
Meeting these goals “comes down to closely monitoring our students and making sure we are meeting their individual needs,” said Straile.
Straile identified a few strategies in place.
“We have a literacy program where we take students who are below grade level and do more intensive reading. We also track graduates more closely, to make sure no one slips through the cracks.”
The school is also working closely with PBCN, and will be continuing a mentorship program, a partnership with the Flin Flon Friendship Centre, which began last May.
Mentor Daniel Ratt will be in the schools every day, “working with certain kids throughout the year,” so they have extra support.
Communication
Straile encourages Creighton Community School families to stay tuned to the school website and newsletters, and keep informed on students’ progress and attendance by accessing the Homelogic program on the school’s website, www.creightonschool.com.
