Schools are ready for the new year

Times Contributor

 

School is back in full swing and teachers, students and parents alike are excited about the upcoming 2013-2014 school year. Here is what the new year holds for Strathmore’s elementary schools.

 

Trinity Lutheran Christian Academy

 (To provide a learning environment that challenges each student to fulfill the potential of all God-given abilities in service to God and community.) 

Trinity is very excited with their increased enrollment this year. The school has seen tremendous growth in the past two years. The school now has two pre-kindergarten classes with 12 students enrolled in each class, which is huge compared to their one class of 10 students last year.  Mr. Funk is proud to announce the addition of his newly appointed associate, Principal Kristen Odegard. 

“It is nice to be able to have a full time administrator responsible strictly for Trinity Lutheran,” said Funk.

With the growth the school was also able to bring in a new Kindergarten teacher, Trisha Hincks. Administrators at the school hope they will continue working towards growth of the school in order to minimize the amount of split grades that are incorporated into the K-9 Christian School. 

 

Westmount Elementary School 

(Working together, the staff at 

Westmount School, helps students to be the best they can be, both inside and outside school. We encourage ownership, responsibility, and we inspire our students to reach their full potential as successful life-long learners.)

Westmount Elementary is starting the new school year off with a newly finished $250,000 playground.  The school has fundraised for the last two and a half years and has received some very generous donations as well as a matching government grant. 

The new playground has had great effect on the entire community; everyone wants to come play on the awesome new equipment at Westmount. A few positive changes have occurred in both the Grade 5/6-hockey program as well as the fine arts program. Dan MacDonald (Bisons coach) will be on the ice with the students this year. This is a great new addition to the program, as they were able to break up the students into grades this year enabling both levels to have two segregated ice times a week. This will give the coaches better ability to focus on the different skill levels within smaller groups.  

A new dimension within the fine arts department is being implemented this year. Instead of a K-6 music specialty program, the focus will now be on drama for the Grade 5-6 students. The younger grades will be specializing in music. Principal Funk wishes for his students to, “work hard, and when the opportunities arise to play hard, life is supposed to be fun, so I hope you have fun in a learning environment.”

 

Brentwood Elementary School 

(Preparing children for the future. 

Every day, every child, a success.)

Brentwood Elementary is sailing into the new school year with some fresh ideas. “We are very excited to be introducing a new program called ‘1 Book 1 School’ this year,” said Principal Laurie Huntley. 

This program will enable the school to focus on reading as a small school community. Students will receive one book to take home and read with their family. Every student, teacher and administrator will be reading the same book at the same pace. For those who need help, they are going to be able to come in at lunchtime to catch up on their reading with guest readers. The school will design fun and educational activities that will be solely based on this story. Once the students have finished the book, they will all be participating in a school-wide fundraising event, which will also focus around the values that the book has taught. 

The Fine Arts department is getting a face-lift with the introduction of hip-hop and clay workshops for all grades. The Grade 5/6 students will now have the option to participate in a drama club. All grades will also be participating in the continuation of the Healthy Active Living Run club. Principal Huntley hopes that her students will, “have a great learning environment with an emphasis on Fine Arts and Healthy Living, because this combination is extremely important to the success of our students.”

 

Sacred Heart Academy 

(Precious in His Sight)

With the new school year at Sacred Heart Academy come new goals, new friends and renewed faith. The school as a community is excited to move towards the building of their new playground. A final fundraiser will be held on Thursday, Sept. 26 and the entire community of Strathmore is invited to come out and share in a movie under the stars. This is the second time SHA has held this type of event, and organizers hope come rain or shine they will have great town support. Each class will be continuing on with their good works projects, which include little flower students praying and singing for seniors and the fostering of two children in need. The school is excited to introduce their newest family member, Mr. Dustin Moreau, who will be teaching physical education. 

The school and parent council is taking a new spin on Kids Convention. They are redefining the workshop to focus more on Healthy Living and Lifestyle. The students will take part in mini workshops that focus on nutrition, exercise and many other topics.  Principal Paulette Chotowetz prays that teachers and students, “hope and pray for each other and sees the uniqueness, giftedness and preciousness of each and every individual.”

 

Wheatland Elementary

 (Lead with Confidence. Learn without limits and love who you are.)

Wheatland Elementary School has redefined their mission statement this year to follow more closely to the teachings of Stephen Convey’s ‘7 habits for discovering the Leader in Me’ The teachers at Wheatland have all been trained to instill what they feel are the 7 most important habits towards highly effective learning.  Under this new format the student leadership programs will be expanding and growing. The school is very excited about the up and coming athletic curriculum, which includes volleyball, basketball, floor hockey and track and field.  The school has decided on “Wagon Wheels West” as their school musical and will be starting preparation for this after Christmas. Principal Lane is excited to begin a new school year with definite focus on “learning, leadership, confidence that have no limits.”

As the school year continues we at the Strathmore Times look forward to seeing all of the projects and events each and every school is involved in.