Gordon F. Kells was surprised to discover 209 students had registered for the year; a substantial increase from the expected 185 students.
Principal Maurice Saltel explained that their school has a variety of goals this year. “We’re looking to further improve our math scores, we also want to increase our reading scores, and we’re looking to improve attendance rates at the school.”
“We’re also wanting to increase the rate at which we make positive contacts with parents. There’s so many great things that happen at our school and the tendency is to only communicate with a parent if there is a problem. So, we want to communicate when things are going right. I think this is a very worthwhile endeavor.”
Saltel is also very excited that they have all returning staff: “It’s nice to have the same staff continuing on. It offers stability within the school.”
The school is also looking forward to new programming this year in the form of Power Engineering courses.
“Carlyle is a central location, so kids from other schools will be able to come here,” Saltel said. “We live in an area where trades are important and the sooner we can get kids looking at those skills the better. We’re even going to have grade 12 students apprenticing, which will help them out of school.”
