Vital Grandin’s Michelle Walsh is having a hoot getting ready for back to school this September.
“When you see that commercial that says, ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’? It’s actually the most wonderful time of the year too for teachers.”
Walsh, a 16-year veteran of teaching, is one of the hundreds of staff members getting ready for the start of school in St. Albert this Sept. 3.
She’s spent most of the last week rearranging desks, collecting supplies, prepping lesson plans and decorating her classroom. “Everything has to be inviting for the kids,” she explains.
This year, she’s going with an owl theme, complete with owl decorations and crafts. “I’m so excited for the kids to come in.”
And if you’re a nervous parent or student, she adds, feel free to drop by for a tour – most schools will be open for visitors next week, and many are hosting welcome-back barbecues. “Bring (the kids) to the school, walk them around, show them the playground.”
Local schools have plenty of back to school activities planned for the next few weeks, says Paula Power, spokesperson for St. Albert Public. Kids will get to try out a bus on First Riders’ Night next Aug. 28, for example, and parents will get to meet the staff at the Paul Kane and Bellerose barbecues around Sept. 10.
New Grade 10 students will get to test-drive St. Albert Catholic High this Thursday during their orientation, says school co-principal Cathy Rasmussen. “They get their textbooks, they get their ID photo, they’ll find their lockers, they’ll have a tour of the school … so on that first day they know where they’re going and how to get there when the hallways are more crowded.”
It’s a big jump for kids to go from junior to senior high school, notes St. Albert Catholic High co-principal Garret Doll. “They’re going to be meeting new people coming from different feeder schools,” he notes, and they’re not going to be with the same friends in every class.
The parents are often far more worried than the kids, Walsh says, taking pictures and crying when its time to leave them behind. “It’ll be okay,” she tells them. “If there’s a problem, we’ll phone you.” The kids, meanwhile, have a blast, and are usually exhausted by the end of the day.
Parents should visit their kids’ schools and talk to the teachers to get ready for September, Walsh says. “The school day is long,” she notes, so get your kids into a bedtime routine today to make sure they get enough sleep.
Parents should also watch their speedometers, notes RCMP Cpl. Laurel Kading. “The school zones are back in effect,” she says, and drivers must stay below 30 km/h between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. while in them.
Expect the police to be out in force in school zones come September, Kading says. Watch out for excited kids crossing the street, and don’t double park while dropping off your kids.
Students should otherwise relax and have fun, Rasmussen says, and remember that staff are there to answer any questions they might have. “For some of them, their biggest concern right now is what they’re wearing on the first day of school,” she notes. “If that’s their biggest concern, that’s perfect.”
Call your local school for any questions on the upcoming school year.
