Students, Teachers Return to Classroom

Students and teachers across the province will return to the classroom next week to kick off the 2011-12 school year.

Programs will have an increased focus on student health, safety and literacy.

"I am pleased to welcome all of our families and school staff back to school for what I know will be another school year filled with many wonderful learning opportunities," said Education Minister Ramona Jennex.

Succeeding in Reading, a new early reading support program, will be introduced across the province in Primary and Grade 1 for students needing additional help. It will include strategies to increase support for students in grades 2 and 3.

This $5-million investment will support 280 teachers in providing students with individual or small group, intensive intervention in their classroom, in collaboration with their classroom teacher.

"This school year we will be focused on providing students with valuable learning as they build the skills needed to be an informed and productive citizen, and to have the opportunity to acquire good jobs in the future," said Ms. Jennex.

The Cyberbullying Task Force is exploring ways to fight bullying on the Internet and mobile devices. The goal is to find solutions that the province can use to protect children and youth from harm.

SchoolsPlus, a program that brings services into the school to help families and kids, will be available in every region this year. Services, which may include family resource centres, child care, youth health centres, recreation, and community outreach, are available for parents and students at school sites.

The student information system, iNSchool, continues to expand. Students and parents in more than 300 schools will have access to real-time information on attendance, marks, assignment due dates, school bulletins and teacher comments.

"Last spring, the department received the Levin report which provided us with recommendations as to how we can improve on our public education system," said Ms. Jennex. "We've also heard from parents, teachers and students and, this fall, I will provide my response to the Levin report.

"This will put us on a path that will ensure our education system continues to strengthen and provide our students with the skills and opportunities to be successful, in school and in life."