The directors of two Lambton-Kent school boards are excited and optimistic about the year ahead as students return to classrooms this week.
St. Clair Catholic District School Board Director of Education Scott Johnson highlighted the opening of St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School in Chatham, where nearly 600 elementary school students will be welcomed.
He also noted that Gregory A. Hogan School, located on Rapids Parkway in Sarnia, will mark its first full school year. The new facility officially opened its doors in March.
"We have two other substantial capital projects happening at Sacred Heart Port Lambton where we're expanding the main entrance and office space, and Sacred Heart Sarnia where we're starting to dismantle as we get set to have the current Sacred Heart students in Sarnia move over to the old Gregory Hogan site next September," Johnson said.
A new classroom will also be added to St. Patrick’s Catholic High School in Sarnia as it continues to grow, with over 1,500 students. Johnson said 410 Grade 9 students went to last week's orientation.
"We are excited to report the highest retention in the history of our board of our Grade 8 students choosing St. Pat's and UCC. Which in fact, our system is the biggest it has been since 2011," Johnson said. "So it's a tremendous opportunity to see our schools grow and see our students choose our Catholic program."
Enrollment numbers are not finalized yet but Johnson said based on registrations, the SCCDSB is anticipating just over 9,300 students.
Johnson said they're also seeing a return to full programming.
"Which is really nice! We're seeing clubs, sports, [and] teams just thrive," he said.
In terms of learning, SCCDSB and LKDSB issued a joint statement last week demonstrating its commitment to reducing the use of personal mobile devices and social networks in schools, as directed by Ontario’s Ministry of Education.
However, Johnson said most of their schools already control when and how students can use their phones.
Meanwhile, Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) Director of Education John Howitt noted changes and updates to the curriculum at the elementary and secondary school level.
"Our cohort in Grade 9 will have some expectations for graduation around financial literacy, for example; as well as the requirement to take a course in the technology stream," Howitt said. "In the elementary panel, that focus on foundational literacy continues and that also includes a review of the student's abilities that will happen in every classroom in Kindergarten to Grade 2, so that we can personalize instruction at those levels."
Another change this year, Lambton Public Health (LPH) nurses will no longer provide sexual health education at elementary schools.
However, Howitt said they had over a year's notice from LPH about the change and were provided updated resources to support the classrooms that previously used this service.
"I think it's important to note, not all of our teachers took advantage of LPH to teach those lessons," Howitt said. "Many, like our colleagues in Chatham-Kent — where the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit does not provide those services and hasn't for a long time — so many of our teachers in Sarnia-Lambton were already teaching those lessons on their own."
As students get back into the school routine, Howitt stresses the importance of getting a good night's sleep and of regularly attending school.
"We're putting a real focus on attendance. Obviously, if you're not well, it is appropriate to be home but keep up with your work," he said. "We really want you at school every day that you are healthy."
Howitt said it's too early to talk about enrollment numbers but totals are expected in mid to late September.
The LKDSB also noted multiple construction projects that have taken place over the summer months.
"Some are inside of the school dealing with HVAC systems, as well as refreshing classrooms. Others are exterior projects dealing with asphalt, and roofs, and those kinds of things," Howitt said. "The most extensive would probably be at Rosedale."
The multi-million dollar project at the Sarnia elementary school will take a phased approach over the next few years to add a new lab and make various other improvements.