Westpark School getting started on new school year 0
By Angela Brown, Portage Daily Graphic
Current school principal Merrill Friesen, and K. to Grade 6 vice principal Jessica Cooley are shown with students (left to right) McKenna Friesen, G4, Gracie Caslor, G2, Soren Weselake, G2, and Paul Stanley, G9, at the newly expanded outdoor playground area at Westpark School.(Angela Bown, QMI Agency)
Westpark School is heading into a new school year with many plans ahead for the students in Portage la Prairie's Kindergarten to Grade 12 school.
Going into the fall session, there are roughly about 200 students enrolled at the school.
The school also offers a separate pre-school program outside of the curriculum.
Current principal Merrill Friesen said this year students will be looking forward to many activities at the school.
"We had an opening assembly (Wednesday) with the kids. We tried keeping that short because they wanted to meet their classmates, ... and see their teachers and classroom," said Friesen.
He said this year students will be looking forward to taking part in another mission trip -- locally and perhaps abroad.
"The sports teams are starting to practise and are moving ahead," added Friesen. "That's exciting."
K. to Grade 6 vice- principal Jessica Cooley said it will be a busy year at Westpark.
"One thing we are always very keen on here is our Impact program -- where the teachers choose a project for the class every year," she said. "The point of it is to impact the school or the community around us -- things like recycling programs, visiting the Manor or food drives throughout the year for the Salvation Army. That is a continuing program. We are looking forward to getting that going."
Also new this year are some more updates to the school's music program. Cooley noted the new music teacher will be adding more percussion instruments to the program for the students.
"We are going to be having music appreciation classes for Grades 7 and 8," she added."(It's) understanding music and appreciating it."
There will also be of an intro to music for the younger grades.
Cooley is especially pleased with the developments with the school's playground. She said much work has been done over the summer to enhance the playground, incorporating the natural environment. A small bridge has also been created as well as a bench, as part of the new formation of the play area for the school.
angela.brown@sunmedia.ca
Reader's comments »
Portage