ESTEVAN — The Estevan Comprehensive School stepped into the new school year under new leadership.
James Jones replaced Nathan Johnson and became the new ECS principal, starting July 1.
Jones said he and the staff had some time to reconnect with their families and friends over the summer and were excited about the upcoming year.
"Things are looking fantastic. We have an incredible group of caretakers that've got our facility in tip-top shape. The maintenance crew from the Cornerstone Public School Division has worked tirelessly over the summer to get some jobs done and things cleaned up, and we really appreciate that. Staff have been in the building all of this week, and many of them devote some time over the summer to come in and prepare for a new school year," Jones said in the interview with the Mercury and SaskToday.
Over the summer, the maintenance crews have done some work in the courtyard, and caretakers worked hard to make sure the floors are cleaned, polished and waxed and the facilities look really good, Jones said.
He noted that being a vice principal for several years allowed for a smooth transition, and he was looking forward to welcoming students back in the new role.
"Having been part of the leadership team at ECS for the past three years in the capacity of vice principal helped with the transition. We worked very collaboratively with Nathan Johnson, the outgoing principal. ECS is a big building with unique challenges, but having been in those trenches with Nathan for the last couple of years and working alongside Brian Wright, I feel like I'm really well served to move into this position. There's lots to do, but I feel like I'm up for the task," Jones said.
"I'm feeling very excited about the new role. It's an awesome opportunity to work with some of the most incredible students and staff in the province. And it's a great building to work in and learn in for our students, so I'm very excited personally."
He added that since he started in the new role, they've gone through some hiring and staff organizing processes, and by the beginning of September all pieces were in place, and staff members were ready to welcome students back.
"The staff is energized, we're excited. It's a great community school, and I want the community to know that we're open in the sense that we want to work with community partners and continue to grow those important relationships that are going to be important to making ECS a great place, not only this year but in the future," Jones said.
While there were no major changes in plans for the school, Jones said with any new year, they have to make pivots in education to meet the needs of the students and it's an ongoing process.
"In time, as a community, there's lots of things that we can come together on and collaborate on to develop. Our school community council will be involved in trying to update things like our ECS handbook which has some of our policies and expectations in it … And I'm looking forward to working collaboratively with different stakeholders in the community to make sure that those documents reflect what happens at ECS on a daily basis," Jones said.
Last March, after an increase in violent incidents at the school, ECS took some steps to ensure students' safety. After consultation with outside agencies, including the Estevan Police Service, its South East Cornerstone Public School Division superintendent, the deputy directors and director of education Keith Keating, the school put in place protocols more strictly regulating how students can be excused from a class, along with sign-out procedures, students' supervision in all areas of the school including bathroom entrances, and more.
Jones said the safety of all students remains their priority, and some of the measures implemented last school year will stay in place with potential modifications as the year progresses.
"The number one concern for any educator is student safety and well-being. ECS needs to be a safe place for students and staff, we need to be inclusive, and make sure that we are a space where all students feel valued and that they belong. And that's one of our top priorities," Jones said.
He noted that keeping focus on these priorities, the ECS reviewed the measures that were put in place last winter and their expectations from the students.
"We are going to continue with having some of our expectations regarding signing out of classrooms, making sure that students are in supervised locations, especially during their spares. We need students to make sure that they're coming to school with the intention of learning and doing good things in our building. And we need to make sure that they're supervised just from a safety and wellbeing perspective," Jones said.
"So, some of those changes that were implemented will continue. And when we need to tweak and change things and adapt, we'll make the necessary changes. "
ECS hosted its back-to-school barbecue last Thursday, and the students returned to school full-time starting Tuesday.
