KDSS nearly doubles enrolment with inclusion of Grades 7-8 students

It was an exciting day for Ecole Kincardine District Senior School, Tuesday, as staff welcomed about 120 Grade 9 students during Link Crew Day, as well as 167 Grades 7 and 8 students.

That nearly doubles the enrolment, with almost 700 students, compared to less than 400 last year in Grades 9-12.

Teacher Kathie Hackney welcomed the members of the Class of 2023 who enjoyed several stretches, ice-breakers and warm-up activities.

Principal Mark Ozorio and vice-principal Lori Templeton also welcomed the Grade 9s and said Link Crew Day is an opportunity for the new students to meet their teachers, learn their way around the school, find their lockers, and become familiar with their timetables.

They also have the opportunity to meet several student leaders on the Link Crew who can help them out throughout the year.

“You are making history today,” said Ozorio. “You are the first class that will graduate from Ecole Kincardine District Senior School.”

After a couple of games, the students were divided into small groups to tour the school, pick up planners and locks for their lockers, and enjoy some activities and lunch.

The Grades 10-12 students began their school year Wednesday when there was an assembly for the entire school.

Meanwhile, in the new Elementary Wing, located on the west side of the school, the Grades 7 and 8 students and staff were learning their way around the new classrooms, and being introduced to combination locks and lockers.

Ozorio said the students have home rooms, same as they did at Huron Heights and Ecole Elgin Market public schools, as well as a blended rotary system, meaning for subjects such as music and physical education, they move to the classroom and gymnasium, while for subjects such as science and French, the teacher comes to the classroom.

Asbestos abatement was part of the renovations to open 12 classrooms at KDSS over the summer, said Ozorio. “The school was sealed off during that time and air-testing was done regularly.”

All the students have access to the library and the cafeteria, he said, but the elementary students will be eating lunch in their rooms, and then going to the playground, located in the fenced off area west of River Lane, for recess.

The Grades 7 and 8 students arrive at the school, either walking or by bus, and are supervised in the playground until the bell rings at 8:50 a.m., said Ozorio. They then use the new crosswalk at the north end of River Lane to access the elementary wing. There is also a crosswalk at the south end of River Lane, at the front entrance to the school.

“We have 23 buses coming to KDSS every day,” said Ozorio. “Of the 700 students, 400 of them take the bus.”

Ozorio said that money received by the school for hosting the 2019 OFSAA hockey tournament, has been used to set up cell phone charging stations in the cafeteria, as well as to place benches around the school, inside and out.

To be more environmentally-friendly, KDSS now has stainless steel cutlery for use in the cafeteria, and a new dishwasher for that cutlery, located in the developmental learning classrooms.