The Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD) is getting ready for the new school year with welcome events ahead of the first day.
Holy Rosary High School (HRHS) opened its doors on Aug. 26 to welcome new students with an orientation day designed to ease nerves.
Principal Jeremy Blais said the event gave students a chance to get comfortable before classes started.
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“Today is our welcome back event that our parent council helped organize,” said Blais. “It’s a way for our students to be able to get into the school early, meet their teachers, find their lockers and just find their way around Holy Rosary so they have a comfort on the first day.”
Blais said the day also helps families.
“It’s a good way for our parents and students to be able to come in and meet their teachers,” he said. “New students can map their first day. They can also set up their locker and be ready to start on day one.”
Helping out were members of the Student Leadership Council. Liaison teacher Becky Grassl said the group wanted to make the transition easier.
“We wanted to make sure our students were here as the newer students came in to know that we’re happy they’re here,” she said. “We want them to feel like they belong, we want some smiling faces that are their age-ish who can kind of show them the ropes and know you can come here and you can be younger, but the older kids aren’t gonna be scary.”
Blais added the biggest concern is always Grade 8 students finding their way.
He shared a simple message with all families.
“Our message to all of our families is welcome, we’re excited to see you,” he said.
LCSD Teachers starting on the right foot
Dan Gray Meridian Source
On Aug. 27, LCSD teachers assembled at the Vic Juba for their inspirational kickoff to the school year.
Cooper Ray, a Catholic motivational speaker from outside Dallas, Texas, wanted to remind teachers “you’ve got this” in his own unique way.
He hopes teachers can focus on what truly matters amidst all the hustle and bustle of classroom preparations ahead of next week.
“If we’re going to be in a Catholic institution, it’s so important we centre our year on Jesus,” said Ray. “That we look to him as our source so we can do all that is asked of us each day.”
Carmen Nahirney is the vice-principal at École St. Thomas and serves as one of the faith leaders for LCSD. She said understanding teachers are all in this together is essential. Having Ray attend and share his message is one way to do that.
“We like to start the year off together; it’s a priority for our school division to get our staff together and start the year off on the right foot,” said Nahirney. “We’re here to fill our buckets listening to Cooper talk. We can then pour out all the things we receive today on our students throughout the year.”
Centring and preparing teachers is his main goal, which hits close to home for Ray.
“My wife is a teacher as well, so just to be on the giving side of an experience like this to help get them off to a great start,” he said. “I see through her how important it is to start on the right foot and get back to that mentality after being on a break.”
The LCSD begins its “for greatness” themed school year on Sept. 2. They look forward to making the school experience fulfilling for students throughout the year.
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