With a new year starting, staff at Samuel Hearne school have prepared a new plan that is aimed to help the students.

Samuel Hearne vice-principal Lorne Guy, centre, talks with Edna Kasook, left and Stanley Kowana about registering for classes after an assembly on Tuesday afternoon. Classes have resumed at the high school this week. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The first thing that needs to be done is the registration of new and returning students.

Lorna Jones Martin, guidance and program support counsellor, said that the first wave of registrations were held on Tuesday.

"We had senior high in the morning and junior high in the afternoon," she said.

For any parents that need to register their children, they can see Martin at the school. The registration day was a good platform to introduce some of the new changes in the school.

Vice-principal Lorne Guy said that a new bell schedule is in place that will better suit the community as a whole.

The morning bell rings at 8:40 a.m. and starts the first period.

"There is no homeroom period, they start the first class right away," said Guy.

"We ask that students be in the building before that time."

The lunch break has also been changed to reflect the lunch hour of the working community.

"We will now break for lunch at 11:55, and start our afternoon at 1 p.m." said Guy.

The last bell of the day will send the students home at 3:30 p.m.

"We want to bring about the best possible learning situations for the kids," said Guy.

New principal Roman Mahnic said the reading groups have also been changed.

The reading period is a 15 minute session where the students take time to read a book of their choice.

Previously the reading period was first thing in the morning, now the it is before morning break.

"The new reading time is at 10:05," said Mahnic.

The use of cell phones has also been addressed for the new year.

"It is now a rule that students are not allowed to bring cell phones in during instructional times," said Mahnic.

The late policy is also in full effect, said Mahnic.

"We feel that lates interrupt the learning process, so we're stressing that students should be on time for their classes," he said.

"We're also putting a ban on headphones and personal listening devices during class time."

Healthy living is probably the most noticeable change within the school.

"We're banning junk foods, sugary drinks like pop and other snacks from the school," said Mahnic.

"We won't allow those foods on school property."

The vending machine in the school sells juices and there is a healthy breakfast program offered for students in the morning.

"We ask that parents help enforce our new policies," said Mahnic.

Martin said that rotating classes for senior high grades is something that is being implemented this semester.

"It means that the students will not have the same class at the same time every day," she said.

"It should help attendance in some cases, but it might be challenging for some students."

Enforcing proper gym gear and supplies is also on the list at the school.

"Students have to realize that they need a separate pair of shoes for gym," said Mahnic.

"It is for safety reasons and to help keep our gym new."