Lakehead Public Schools shuffle classes due to extra students

Superior Morning5:18School Shuffling

The start of a new school year can be an exciting time of the year for students and teachers alike.It can also be unsettling.This year Lakehead Public Schools has had to deal with a higher number of teacher shuffles between classes and schools.

Some students at Lakehead Public Schools in Thunder Bay have already had two teachers this fall.

After higher-than-projected enrolment, the board has re-organized some of its classes to ensure class sizes stay within provincial rules.

Superintendent of education Sherri-Lynne Pharand  said shuffling some staff around is normal, but "there were more moves and changes than usual this year."

Pharand said the changes also resulted in some classes becoming split classes. For example, there are 10 SK-Grade 1 split classes.

The local president for the Lakehead Elementary Teachers of Ontario said staff and students have to adjust to changes in the classroom.

"It's incredibly stressful on our staff. And, everyone involved is aware of that,” Mike Judge said.

“You put a lot of prep and planning over the summer, in some cases, and certainly in the first week of school, to make sure that classroom is running the way it should be."

Judge said he's pleased the bump-up  in enrolment means all full time teachers who were employed last year, are now back in the classroom.

“We're actually thrilled that we actually have more students than we originally projected.”