We are all excited to see our students returning to school and our parents are glad they are returning. We will still have recess, physical education, and the breakfast program. Initially, the cafeteria will be closed.
While we realize we need to be attuned to our student’s physical wellbeing, we have not lost sight of their needs in all areas of wellbeing. We got this! Our teachers spent the last week of June preparing for the current return to school scenario and we have continued to work over the summer to ensure everything is in place. For more detailed information on our re-entry we encourage everyone to check out our website at www.stanthonysschool.ca and click on COVID-19 updates.
Most recently, in response to concerns from some parents, we are offering several online options for return to school as well. These include online learning from CTR’s Centre for Learning and a pilot programing in live streaming at the school.
Our biggest challenge this year is responding to the constant change in our society, finding ways to adapt and change in a future that is unknown. As principal, I am proud to be part of a team that is open, responsive, and willing to change to meet the needs of our students and parents.
Our goals for the beginning of the year will begin with a focus on creating a safe and caring environment that implements the protocols that will help protect our school community from COVID. We will continue to deliver all our academic programs within the AHS guidelines. We will refine our live streaming pilot as we gain experience in this new delivery mode.
To prepare for re-entry to school, we are hosting two “Experience Re-entry Sessions” for parents and students. Parents and students will have an opportunity to meet with their teachers and experience the protocols we have put in place to protect each other from COVID. These will be held on:
o Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. for all families with last names starting from A to K
o Thursday, Aug. 27 from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. for all families with last names starting from L to Z
To end on an upbeat note, we are excited to continue our breakfast program and meet the needs of students who rely on this program to be ready to learn. We are working with the Drumheller Dragons and we are hoping to continue to offer the Hockey Breakfast Academy under COVID regulations.
A highlight for our school is the addition of two new teachers to our staff. We are delighted to introduce Christopher Chamberlain and Kelly Eddy. We are so blessed to have them join our team.
Christopher Chamberlain is our new music teacher. He is a certified teacher from Windsor, Ontario. Growing up with a passion for music of all kinds, he participated in band programs, marching programs, orchestra programs, and rock bands as a percussionist. After completing a 4-year music degree at the University of Windsor as a concert musician, he proceeded to enroll in Windsor's teacher's college program, to help keep the passion for music strong in Canada's schools. He has been working in Toronto, Ontario for 3 years at several private schools, and is excited to migrate to the beautiful Canadian West.
Kelly Eddy will be teaching Grade One and is excited to return to St. Anthony’s School in a teaching role, where her journey into the field of education began as an Educational Assistant. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary, and has been a resident of Drumheller since 2004. Her previous experience in environmental education and interpretation spans wetlands, mountain forests, and prairie coal mines. Kelly brings with her the enthusiasm of a new teacher, with a varied lived education to create authentic, real-world connections to curriculum in the classroom. She has a passion for creating engaging relationships with students so they can approach learning with a sense of wonder, excitement, and fulfillment.
On that note, I am pleased to be starting the school year with all the support from everyone in our community. Together we can make the world a better place to be!
