Niton Central News

Dear Niton Central School Community,

As we close in on the long weekend and the start of a new school year, it is my hope that each of you have had a fantastic summer filled with lots of fun and relaxation! I am pleased to be returning to serve as Principal at Niton Central School for the 2022-23 school year. Our staff have been hard at work this week in preparation to welcome your children back to school.

This year, we are welcoming two brand new staff to our team. Miss. Kennedy Carpenter will be teaching our Grade 2/3 students, and Mrs. Amanda Ford will be teaching our Grade 4/5 students. Returning to staff this year, Mrs. Jenna Robinson will be teaching our Kindergarten and Grade 1 students, while Mr. Aaron Fern and Mr. Alan Stoyles will round out our teaching staff, sharing our 6/7 and 8/9 classes. As you may be aware, this is a change to the grade configuration of our school from the previous year.

Our colleague, Mrs. Maskell, had an excellent opportunity to accept a position closer to home. As this occurred over the summer, I'd like to take a moment to thank her for her many wonderful contributions to the students, staff, and parents at Niton Central School! We wish her all the best in her new position.

While we made every effort to secure a replacement teacher at NCS prior to commencing this school year, we have ultimately been unable to do so. This left us with a critical decision to make and what our teachers unanimously decided, is to restructure to what you see above. This decision offered key benefits, including consistency for every student in the school from day 1, and more balanced class sizes. In discussing how best to move forward, I am truly in awe of how focused each and every staff member was on finding the best possible way to serve our students' education, and our community's needs.

Looking ahead to Tuesday (We are SO EXCITED!!!), here's what to expect on the first day of classes! Students will arrive and be directed to their classrooms for introductory comments from their homeroom teachers. At 9:15, we'll have all classes join us in the gym for a brief welcome back assembly, then return to classes for the remainder of the day.

I know I speak for every member of the NCS Staff when I say: It's going to be a great year.

Mr. Steve Ripkens,

Principal

Niton Central School

780-795-3782

mailto:stevripk@gypsd.ca

Please phone the school or email Mrs. Benson at branbens@gypsd.ca or your student's homeroom teacher if your child will be absent. Sign-out your student through the office if they will be picked up early and please notify their bus driver.

Monday, September 5

• Labour Day - No School.

Tuesday, September 6

• FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

Wednesday, September 7

• Regular classes

Thursday, September 8

• Regular classes

Friday, September 9

• Regular classes

Upcoming Events:

• September 14 - Meet the Teacher Night (Stay tuned for details!)

• September 26 - School Pictures!

• September 30 - Truth and Reconciliation Day - No School

• Volleyball Tryouts - TBD - Sign Up Sheets will be posted at the office!

Reminders

• Please remember that if your child(ren) are sick, keep them at home.

• Please make sure to send extra clothes in case your child(ren) gets wet or muddy.

• Dirty shoes will not be allowed in the gym, please make sure your child(ren) has indoor shoes and shoes for outside.