The student population at the high school and the elementary school in Rimbey is holding its own, and while numbers are preliminary, both principals report enrollment has not decreased.
As of Aug. 29, elementary school principal Jodi Bramfield reported 383 students had registered at the school.
“It’s up a bit from last year,” she said.
High school principal Tim Lekas said the school’s population is about the same as last year.
“Student numbers are preliminary at this time, but appear to be approximately 367, which is very similar to last year.
Both schools are gearing up for the new school year, and at Rimbey elementary, several new teachers have come on board.
Margaret Bjornson is a new Grade 2 teacher and Dwayne Russ and Brandon McGee will join the staff as Grade 6 teachers.
Rachael Pfeifle is teaching grades two and five on a part-time basis.
Meanwhile at the high school, staff will remain almost the same.
“We have very little staff change this year,” said Lekas. We have hired Anita Wurmlinger as a new educational assistant and Ceara Newman is back from maternity leave.”
At the elementary school students will have an opportunity to make use of a new Chromebase desktop computer lab.
“As well, we have increased the number of Chromebooks available for grades four and six,” said Bramfield.
A new green screen at the library will be put into use this year, and librarian Jamie Coston will work with the Grade 6 students to use the screen to create morning announcements.
The school’s social worker, Christine Robertson has now received training in the Rainbows Program.
The high school is already preparing for this year’s Grade 12 graduation which will take place on Sept. 20.
“Graduation is our biggest and most important event,” said Lekas. “This year we have a relatively small graduating class of 65 students hitting the stage at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre.”
Sports programs are already up and running at the school.
The Spartans football team will see their first action Sept. 8 at Breton School. New this year is the Spartans calendar, available on the school’s website, which shows all practices and games for all the teams in the league.
The school calendar is also available on the website.
Three high school staff members and more than 20 students will travel to Croatia and Italy during the March break.