Photo Karen Graham. Principal Jeff White
Once again, Millbrook South Cavan begins the school year with a new principal. Jeff White arrives from Norwood, replacing Janice Mackenzie who retired last year.
Jeff grew up in Lakefield, and loves rural schools. He studied at Trent and spent his student teaching time in the area as well. In his career with the Kawartha Pine Ridge School District, he has “been around the block”, working in Apsley, Chemong, and for the past five years has been the Principal at Norwood. He knows the local education scene well.
His first priority as the new principal will be to ensure Millbrook South Cavan offers a safe and welcoming environment for all students. He is keenly aware of the growth the school is facing and the challenges it presents. Five of the six portables on site will be occupied next week, and he expects the last one will not be vacant for long. The school population at the beginning of the last school year was 493. Enrolment now stands at 535, with new residents continuing to stream into the new development, many with school-age children. As the school doors opened last week, some parents arrived to register in person and check out the facilities.
In addition to the challenge of rapidly increasing numbers is the increasing diversity the new students bring to the school. This aspect of growth is exciting to this educator, who plans to embrace and showcase that diversity as part of his strategy to help integrate the newcomers into the school culture.
With this level of growth, the logistics behind some regular programs becomes complicated, and with as little as one hour a week, volunteers can help bridge that gap. The school relies heavily on volunteers for breakfast and other programs and the only credentials required is love of children a police check. Share your skills in a club, in the kitchen or bring your gardening tools and spruce up the front garden bed with some student helpers. To learn more about how you can get involved in our local elementary school, contact the office by calling 705-932-2789, or drop into the school Open House on September 11th and talk over your ideas with your children’s teachers or their new principal. KG
