According to Principal Stephanie Emberly, beginning her third year at the helm, they are excited to get going.

“We’re ready to go,” Emberly said on Tuesday, the day before the official start of classes. “There’s a lot of energy and excitement in the building today. The amount of registrations today, people coming in to register their kids is pretty amazing.”

Enrolment is strong this year, with the principal saying there are about 386 full time equivalents starting this fall. She says that is up a little from last year.

It shows in the youngest ages. There are two kindergarten classes this year, and she said they both are in the 15-16 student range. There are two classes of grade ones, one grade two, one grade three and two grade four classes.

“The numbers are not bad at all, especially in kindergarten. The numbers are reasonable and you hope to keep them and you hope it balances out with the graduates leaving.”

The reasons for solid numbers of young children entering the school are hard to peg, but Emberly feels the community plays a role.

“I think people are coming home to raise their kids,” she opined, “and other people are looking for a nice small town to raise their family.”

As for kindergarten, the school division is still pursuing the all-day, everyday classes. They are at the discretion of the parent, but Emberly says the reasoning behind the development is sound.

“The full day kindergarten has been successful in getting the kids ready to go to school. It helps establish the routine. There is a tremendous amount of learning that goes on through play, learning to get along with each other, the social side. There is a lot to gain from it.”

Sometimes there is a fair amount of change in staff from year to year. In 2017/18, it is a little calmer on this front. Music teacher Curtis Kennedy is gone, and they have added Megan Pokrant, who will be serving as half-time band, half time grade three teacher. Joan Blanchard retired from the office staff, and is replaced by Heather Heide. Also, with the retirement of Doug Gray, Joe Hammond has taken over as new head custodian.

Emberly said there are benefits to keeping the ship steady.

“It’s great for continuity. You can go in at the beginning of the year and hit the ground running,” she explained. “My first year here, there was a lot of turnover, not just me. There is a lot to learn – policies, students. It really helps if your staff is established.”

Not that life at Boissevain School will be change-free this year. For one, the music room across the hall from the office is no longer serving the same purpose. It has been changed into a grooming room. As the principal explained, the idea is to provide a toileting/cleaning facility for students with challenges. There is a bathtub and shower stall, as well as equipment to safely move students who need the help. She said it allows for greater privacy, safety and humanity for those who need assistance in doing routine tasks.

“I think it is something people can relate to, giving people dignity. I think it will be useful in the long term.”

At the same time, music must happen somewhere, so the band room was converted to a band/music room. This took a bit of doing, as they gutted the entire room, removed most tiers and built a space to better store expensive instruments. It is now more useable, which is always a goal.

Other programs and projects are beginning this year. A breakfast program will be tried this fall. The plan is for a high school student or students to run a special breakfast project on Mondays in which items like muffins will be baked, with perhaps fruit added, and made available to students, free of charge. Emberly said life is always a rush and sometimes students do not have time to eat breakfast at home, or are just hungry when they get to school. Research has shown you learn better on a full stomach, so the idea is a win-win for the school. She has seen it work in Wawanesa, and thinks it can be applied to Boissevain.

“We know how important a healthy breakfast is, so we are excited to try it.”

The Boundary Co-op is supporting this initiative and Emberly said other businesses are welcome to join in. She is not sure exactly when they will start.

As well, different ideas are getting a start in 2017/18. This will be the first year for a “theme”. Emberly said other schools have had themes to point them in directions for the school year, she and the staff sat down and brainstormed on the concept. They came up with “kindness” for this year. The focus will be on kids from K-8, and will be about reinforcing positive attitudes.

“I think we have pretty amazing kids and staff. We are really just building on what we already are doing. It’s about creating a culture, telling people ‘this is how we operate.’ It takes work and focus. If the year rolls out well, we might theme other years in the future.”

There are also a few pilot programs. In November, they will be having an ‘intensive week’ to work on success building and different enrichment programs. In January, in middle years, staff and students will be trying out some early morning exercise, to see how this stimulates the brain. Emberly said research shows this kicks learning into gear, and is in fact used at workplaces in Japan to get everyone rolling first thing.

Emberly said they are trying to rethink education a bit, to not rely completely on old models in teaching. This means trying different things, and she asks the public to show some patience while they come up with successful models.

“It means some risk taking,” the principal said. “If it is best for the kids we will do it. So we have to be brave. Sometimes we will try something and knock it out of the ballpark. Other times we will try, learn things, but not be as successful. But we need to model for students. Nobody gets through life perfectly.”

When asked what a successful year would be, Emberly said her answer has changed over the years she has headed Boissevain School. Everything has more traction now, so her goals are maybe more ambitious.

“I want all of us to be Broncos. The musical Broncos, athletic Broncos, artistic Broncos, they all matter. If the kids leave here feeling they matter, that will be a successful year.”

“Honestly, I think this will be the best year yet.”

 by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder Staff

PHOTOS BY ANNA LATIMER, RECORDER STAFF