The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor As students and staff settle into a new academic year, they are noticing a number of changes within Flin Flon schools. A millwright course, more one-on-one instruction and increased efforts to keep students in school are part of the Flin Flon School Division's strategy for 2012-13. 'We're looking forward to another exciting year,' said Superintendent of Schools Blaine Veitch. 'Students continue to do amazing things in our classrooms.' Among the new course offerings this year is an industrial mechanic millwright program, mainly for grades 11 and 12, through Hapnot Collegiate and Many Faces Education Centre. It's not an accredited course yet, but it does offer students a solid introduction into the well-paying trade. 'Millwrights have a job that is very diverse and we think it will be a great exposure for students that are at all interested in that trade area,' Veitch said. Also new this year is what Veitch calls a 'focused learning program' for students entering Grade 9 who may struggle adapting to multiple teachers. Students in the program will have just one teacher for most of their subjects, helping them make the often-difficult transition from junior high to high school. 'There's research that indicates that some students really need a strong relationship with one teacher, and that type of setting allows a teacher to integrate different courses together,' Veitch said. 'So rather than just a strictly English, math, science or social studies class, many of the same concepts can be taught in conjunction with each other.' Based in the former UCN portable classroom outside Many Faces, the program will run all year and may be introduced into Grade 10 next year if there is a need. Meanwhile, the school division is launching its Learning to Age 18 program to reflect a new Manitoba law requiring students to stay in high school until at least the day they become adults. The hope is to design programs that will draw under-18 dropouts back to the classroom. One option could be for them to start in a non-credit program to transition back into school. See 'Trying...'pg. 6 Continued from Pg. 3 'We're trying to make contact with students who have not graduated and are not intending to return to school, to meet with them and discuss their needs and see what we can do together,' Veitch said. Veitch said the main targets of the program will be students under 18, but older students are also welcome. He does not believe Flin Flon has an above-average number of under-18 residents no longer in school, but 'there are definitely some out there.' For younger students, the division will operate a pilot program for those with attention-deficit challenges at Ruth Betts Community School. It will incorporate physical activity into those students' day in the hopes that a little huffing and puffing will help them improve their academic performance. At Hapnot, a new fitness room is under construction to offer cardiovascular-type exercises. The weight room remains in place. Parents will notice the school board's commitment to cutting student fees starting this year. The intent is to charge either minimal or no fees, though there will be exceptions for certain courses that require costly supplies. There are many changes on the staffing front with the introduction of 11 new teachers across the schools. Gerry Lannon is the new principal at Ecole McIsaac School, joining vice-principals Steve Lytwyn and Sylvie Dufour. This Christmas, Bill Pauley will retire as principal of Hapnot and Many Faces. He will be replaced by former McIsaac principal Brent Bedford, who will serve as high school co-principal until that time. Also retiring at Christmas will be Ruth Betts principal John Clark, who will be replaced by his current co-principal, Tammy Ballantyne. 'We have several new teachers this year that we're excited to welcome aboard,' said Veitch. 'We look forward to their contributions to our community and the nice blend of youth with experienced staff that allows our students to be challenged and grow in their learning. I think the division is well positioned to continue to give kids the opportunity to excel.'
