Another school year in the region kicked off this week, with the first day of classes held on Tuesday, September 3.
Approximately 190,000 students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 will be going to school in Saskatchewan this year, and teachers and school division staff have been busy getting ready for their return to the classrooms in more than 770 schools across the province’s 27 school divisions.
“I know firsthand how excited kids are at this time of year as they head back to school, or begin school for the first time” Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant said in a release. “I know many parents and educators who are eager to begin a new school year too and it is important that we all do our part to keep our students safe as they travel to and from school.”
As far as student enrollment numbers go, the Sun West School Division has predicted an increase by approximately 79 students throughout its 42 schools in the 2019/2020 academic year.
While September 30 is the day in which student numbers are actually counted, schools give predictions to the Ministry of Education. After the numbers have been officially logged on September 30, the provincial government will provide grants through the funding distribution model.
In Outlook, student numbers across all three local schools are remaining fairly steady compared to the previous year. The Outlook reached out to LCBI High School, Outlook High School, and Outlook Elementary School to see where the numbers were at leading up to the first day of classes.
Over at LCBI, the final numbers weren’t concrete just yet as interest in applying to the school can include those final few days of summer heading into the first day of classes, but the numbers at the time of this issue were relative to the end of the prior school year.
“Our numbers are still not written in stone as many students are still inquiring and applying,” said Darci Morken in an email to this reporter. “Right now, we are in the high 70's, which is relative to where we ended the last school year in June but are hoping to see our numbers in the 80's by Opening Day.”
Across town at Outlook High School, the home of the Blues is seeing a bit of an increase this year.
“We are expecting around 315 students at OHS when we start school on Tuesday, September 3rd,” said OHS Principal Walter Wood. “This would be a small increase in our student population from the end of last year. We will have a better indication of our enrolment when school starts.”
Outlook Elementary School Principal Darla Thorstad says her school’s numbers are on par with previous years, and she touched on how the numbers can fluctuate leading up to the first day of school.
“We feel very fortunate to have our enrollment remain quite steady over the past several years, we may go up or down by 3-5 students,” she said. “We currently have 332 students registered to attend our school in the fall. That number includes our Pre-k students. We often have a bit of movement on the first student day, sometimes a few new students arrive and sometimes we find out that a few students have moved.”
With another school year in session, drivers are reminded to pay extra attention in school zones.
