It's the first day of school for the Portage la Prairie and Pine Creek school divisions and changing from elementary school to high school can be tough. The faculty at MacGregor Collegiate Institute recognizrd this and has been making changes over the last few years to alleviate fears of their students.
Principal Kyle McKinstry outlines what the program is and what they'll be doing this year.
"On Thursday, we have what we call Kickstart to High School. That's where our brand new grade nines, who are coming into our school, we give them the run of the land for the day. So, it allows them to come in, get familiar with their school setting. We have a bit of an assembly in the gym. I give them a rundown of what they'll be expecting for the day and the rest of the school year."
McKinstry adds that the day doesn't end there, as they'll have a few other events to attend.
"After that, we have a modified schedule that they'll run through their regular school day. We have a BBQ at lunchtime with some student council activities that they'll put them through. Then in the afternoon, we have some just general sessions in the afternoon about study skills and some mental health things, how to use the computers, log into our system and whatnot. And then on Friday, we have the rest of our students, school day one for them, so all grade 9 through 12 students come on Friday."
The additional time, McKinstry notes, is about making sure students are comfortable in their new surroundings.
"It allows them to come in and release some of the anxiety that they may be feeling about coming to a bigger school than they've been at in the past. And just give them a lay of the land before they have the rest of the kids around."
When it comes to getting involved in sports, McKinstry outlines that some sports are already nearing their beginning for the year.
"We have our senior varsity girls' volleyball team, they are going to be practicing right after our professional development day. And then we have our golf team all up and ready, and they're going to start practicing right away, as we have Zones already on September 11. "
McKinstry and the school faculty are expecting plenty of student engagement with student leadership established for this year back in June, with Calli Leckie taking over as President of the Student Council. McKinstry says this year, the student council is predominantly led by the school's young women.
"This year, we have a significant population of young ladies who are going to be in leadership roles and looking very much forward to what they have to offer, and they're spectacular kids."