Math improvement focus in Enchant

By Trevor Busch
Vauxhall Advance
tbusch@tabertimes.com

Taking a calculated approach, Enchant School is doing the arithmetic to ensure the 2018-2019 school year equals up when it comes to sums, fractions and equations.

“We’re including a little bit more of a math intervention program for our students,” said principal Kelly Schmidt.

“We’re trying to give a little more help to our students to improve their math skills, and their understanding of math concepts.”

Renovations over the summer months have seen some minor improvements as well as enhancements to the school’s learning commons, the new educational buzz-phrase for what is more commonly known as a library.

“We’ve also done some improvements in our learning commons,” continued Schmidt. “We did get a bunch of new flooring done in our upstairs wing, which is really appreciated in our hallways and classrooms, and our staff room.”

Several teachers left the school last year due to retirement, but at least one new face is haunting the halls this fall at Enchant School.

“We had two teachers retire last year, they were here 35 and 37 years at our school,” said Schmidt. “Our new teacher is Nikki Ohlmann, who is working on our math program for students between Grades 3 and 9.”

Schmidt was happy to report the school will again be visited by a traveling theatre company that engages students in the production of a play performance.

“This year we’re going to have Missoula Children’s Theatre back in our school, and that’s happening in April 2019.”

The Missoula Children’s Theatre is an international touring program that visits nearly 1,000 communities per year. The children’s theatre routinely has residencies in all fifty U.S. states, Canada, Japan, Germany, Italy, and many other countries.

While not anticipating any problems for the year, Schmidt is preparing for the announcement of the province’s new curriculum which is set to be implemented in 2019.

“One of those big challenges that I see will be on the forefront is the new curriculum that’s going to be coming forth from the government this year, starting next year. It’s one of these things that’s coming — we know it’s coming — it’s just planning out all the pieces and getting ready for it.”

Enrollment hasn’t seen any significant fluctuations from the previous school year.

“We’re status quo, which is great,” said Schmidt. “We did have some movement of students in and out, but all the numbers have kind of balanced out, which is great. We’re happy that everything is as it is.”

Upcoming events for the fall season include a Junior High Carnival starting at 2 p.m. on Oct. 31, and a Remembrance Day Assembly on Nov. 9.

Get More Vauxhall Advance →