The first week back at Oakville School is already shaping up to be a good one. Students have jumped into their routines with ease, and Principal Mark Sokolowski says the energy in the halls has been nothing short of uplifting.
“We’ve had an excellent start here,” Sokolowski shares. “Kids have picked up where we left off in the fall, and everyone’s settled into routine very quickly. So we’ve had a really great start.”
Along with the familiar buzz of back-to-school excitement, Oakville is welcoming some new faces to its staff this year. Mr. Stewart Akerley has joined as the Grade 5 teacher, while Ms. Ashly Hyde teaches French programming for Grades 6 through 8 as well as other subjects. The team also welcomed educational assistant Ms. Lauren Cherkas.
“They’re both excellent teachers, and we were very lucky to have them join us. And we’re very lucky to have Lauren come in as a new EA. We certainly don’t take that for granted. We know it can sometimes be difficult to fill positions, but we’ve done very well for ourselves here,” he notes.
It’s not just the staff that’s new. The school gym has a newly finished floor, thanks to hard work from custodians over the summer, and students now have an outdoor volleyball court to enjoy.
“Our school looks better than ever,” he shares with a smile.
Looking ahead, Oakville students have a full slate of activities to look forward to this fall. The school’s Terry Fox Run is set for September 25, followed by Orange Shirt Day activities on September 29. A school-wide “gym blast” is planned for October 10, and volleyball, cross-country running, student leadership initiatives, and patrols are also already underway.
“A lot of the things we do at OVS are about stewardship. Leadership, recycling, and giving back to others, whether it’s the community or just within the school. We also have our Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. It’s been very effective and positive for us, and the kids seem to love it,” he explains.
Now in his fourth year as principal at Oakville School, Sokolowski says the best part of September never changes: the joy of seeing students back in the building.
“Seeing the kids come back, an inch or two taller than when we last saw them in June, their smiles and enthusiasm, it’s a big part of our day here. We take a lot of pride in being a good team, and of course, our students drive everything that we do. We’re thrilled to be back."
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