Leaders are not born — they are made. That is certainly the creed for Hays school for the 2010-2011 school year.
Students have hit the ground running, and are being divided into five different student committees that will emphasize several different initiatives that want to be achieved in the school.
The committees include physical activity, healthy eating, school spirit, Green Team and Safe and Caring as different focus groups within the school.
“Every kid from Grade 1 to 9 is on one of those teams, and we will be meeting each month coming up with ideas for each group. Their job is to educate their peers and run a few assemblies throughout the year and organize guest speakers and whatever else needs to be done,” said Gil Farley, principal for Hays school. “We want to build leadership capacity within the kids.”
The physical activity committee’s job is to look after school intermurals and old school playground games to promote keeping kids active. Healthy eating is to educate and persuade kids and parents to choose healthier alternatives in their meals.
“When we do meals at the school too, they will ensure healthier choices,” said Farley.
School spirit will help organize pep rallies and other events that boost morale within Hays school.
The Green Team with have an environmental conscience to it and the Safe and Caring committee will look to having students look after each other with anti-bullying initiatives.
Enrollment has stayed consistent at Hays school, with six new students in the school, while the same number are leaving. How the students will be taught will be a departure from previous years within the rural school walls.
Down a half-time teacher, Hays school is changing its teacher assignments so it looks more like a junior-high model.
“I’m having teachers teach to their specialty. A language arts teacher will be throughout (the grades), along with the science teacher, social studies teacher and math teacher,” said Farley. “Kindergarten is still one teacher and Grade 1-2 is one teacher. It will be a transition for the kids, but I think it will be positive.”
September events for Hays school include a Meet the Parents barbecue on Sept. 14 and a Terry Fox Run on Sept. 30.