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The start of a new school year
Likely final year at facilities for Inuvik studentsSamantha Stokell Northern News Services Thursday, September 8, 2011
With the super-school construction nearing completion and a hoped-for spring 2012 finish date, students could enter a brand new school next year. The significance of that has not escaped Samuel Hearne Secondary School principal Roman Mahnic. "We've mentioned to the students that it's historical that they're the last class going through the school," Mahnic said. "We want it to be memorable for them and to think about special events we'll do this year." Mahnic has thoughts of hosting a high school reunion to celebrate the history of the school, past alumni and staff that taught at the school. Nothing is set in concrete yet, but Mahnic definitely wants to ensure the history is shared and learned by students and the community. "We're excited about the opportunity that this brings, to be the last year in the school," he said. "Parents and grandparents all graduated from the school. It's an opportunity to bring back the memories and celebrate." Sir Alexander Mackenzie School also plans to commemorate the event, but doesn't have plans in place yet. Principal Janette Vlanich plans to focus on the year ahead and ensure the students succeed. "We're going to continue promoting healthy lifestyles and literacy," said Janette Vlanich, principal at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School. "Literacy has been a school goal for several years and it's really improved over the past few years." Mahnic also has plans to help his students succeed by increasing communication with parents and improving attendance. Mahnic and the school counsellor visited Tsiigehtchic and Sachs Harbour in August to speak with parents and grades 10, 11 and 12 students about the transition to Samuel Hearne and how to register for classes. For new Grade 7 students in Inuvik, the school held a barbecue for parents and students to make them feel welcome. "It's difficult to come here (from Tsiigehtchic and Sachs Harbour) and move away from their home and parents. Any increase in communication in the home community will lead to a better transition," Mahnic said. "The Grade 7 barbecue and home visits are all part of our goal to improve communication with the communities." To improve literacy with the kindergarten to Grade 6 students, Sir Alexander Mackenzie School has offered more books at appropriate levels, installed a library, educated parents and started the Kindersteps program, which helps pre-schoolers learn to read before reaching kindergarten. "We help prepare them for the year by meeting with them once a month," Vlanich said. "They meet with the teacher and become familiar with the school and routines before they start kindergarten." Sir Alexander Mackenzie School's population has been steadily declining in the seven years Vlanich has been principal and this year the department of Education, Culture and Employment cut five teaching positions. Seven years ago the school had 454 students but now has only 325. This means increased class sizes, with the largest being 29 and Vlanich and the vice principal teaching as well. "It's probably a combination of things. The economic climate with less employment and the declining birth rate means less coming into kindergarten," Vlanich said. "We're trying to look at it as a positive. We're going to have to co-operate and work together to make the best of the situation." Samuel Hearne Secondary School also plans to improve attendance to 90 per cent for all students, has formed an aboriginal student achievement steering committee and started a new program called Smarts Focus, or Career Focus, which will help students to determine what they should do after school. Also, all the teachers at Samuel Hearne have worked there before, meaning there is a consistency amongst the staff that's rare in Northern schools. This should also contribute to improved student achievement.
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