Class is back in session for area students.
Creighton Community School reopened for 2016-17 last Thursday, Sept. 1. Flin Flon schools were to reopen on Wednesday.
It’s been a summer of change for the Flin Flon and Creighton school divisions, both of which have new superintendents.
In Flin Flon, Constance McLeese has taken over from the retired Blaine Veitch. Veitch is the new director of education in Creighton, as Bob Smith has retired.
Students and staff will notice other changes. Creighton’s band program has grown for the third consecutive year. The program, which started with grade 6 students in 2013, has expanded by one grade level each of the past
three years.
“They were our first students in band, and it’s progressed through grades 6, 7, 8 and now 9,” said Veitch. “It’s our first band class in the high school.”
A band room has been set up at the Creighton Sportex for the students, who were previously bused to Flin Flon to use facilities at Ruth Betts Community School.
In addition to the new band room at the Sportex, washrooms and changerooms at Creighton school were upgraded.
In Flin Flon, school facilities remain more or less unchanged, with the exception of recent rewiring at Hapnot Collegiate.
“We’ve got new, super fast internet cable in there,” said McLeese. “We don’t have any new facilities, but the care staff has been busy cleaning and putting in new windows and painting and that sort of general maintenance. Everything is up and ready to go.”
Flin Flon School Division’s most significant changes are in its programs and staff.
The most innovative change is the introduction of the Hockey Canada Skills Academy program for junior high students.
Through the program, about half of participating students’ phys-ed slots will be replaced by on-ice and off-ice hockey drills, scrimmages and conditioning.
The program is aimed at increasing student engagement.
“We want those kids enjoying school again,” École McIsaac School principal Steve Lytwyn, who helped bring the program to Flin Flon, told The Reminder in June.
Flin Flon School Division has also hired five new teachers. Ruth Betts and McIsaac will each see two new teachers, while another teacher will split time between Hapnot and Many Faces Education Centre.
“They’re enthusiastic and well-qualified,” McLeese said of the staff additions.
Creighton school will be welcoming one new teacher, Flin Flon-Creighton native Mallory Owen.
Welcome back
When speaking to Owen, the new kindergarten and Grade 4 teacher at Creighton Community School, one word sticks out in your mind – enthusiasm.
Owen, who was born and raised in the area and attended school in both Creighton and Flin Flon, has a lot to be excited about.
“Everything’s coming together well,” said Owen, in the midst of a busy first few days on the job.
“Twenty-four years ago, I was a kindergarten student in this exact same classroom and school, in Mrs. Dixon’s kindergarten class. Now I’m back here, teaching kindergarten.”
Owen graduated from Hapnot in 2005 and worked for three years in the community before heading to University College of the North in The Pas for her studies.
Owen couldn’t move her family to The Pas while she took classes, so she made the drive from Flin Flon to The Pas every morning. Some days, she’d have to hit the road at 6 am to get to class on time.
“I drank a lot of coffee, but it was all worth it,” said Owen.
Last year, Owen graduated from UCN The Pas with two degrees, a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of education. She was class valedictorian.
Creighton School Division hired Owen to replace a teacher on maternity leave.
After years away from Creighton school, she is thrilled to return as a teacher.
“I’m really excited to be back, with the staff and the students,” said Owen. “I’m all set and ready to go.”
