New school year

The new school year started on Tuesday. Some teachers have been in at school for the last week, or more, preparing for the start of the year.

On the first day students arrived at school and spent almost an hour with the teacher from last year. It was a nice connection to be able to chat with them about their vacation. Teachers took attendance and handed out information and paperwork that needed to be filled in to update information for the new year. Students were then dismissed and teachers stayed for a staff meeting and then used the rest of the day for planning.

It is difficult to get the planning and timetabling started because we don't yet know how many classes we will have. Classes are at the allowed maximum of 24 students in the grade 2 and 3 area. The school district are trying to decide whether to create another division at this level. this has implications for timetabling specialists, and also for areas like the gym and library.

On the next day students again reported to their teacher from last year who took attendance and then told them which class they would be in, and who their teacher would be. We then waited for an announcement for students to move off to their new rooms, classes and teachers.

It was quite a nice way for the transition into the new class to take place. I got a chance to have a chat to last year's students and to hear the stories of their vacation, and wish them well for their new class.