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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2016-10-05, Page 22 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Troy Patterson/Editor Lucknow Central Public School Principal Mark Kolohon, suited up with his Beach Day attire, shows off the bright new paint job at the school that provides new education and play opportunities. Kolohon stands next to a play street intended to teach basic traffic awareness to students. Lucknow Central has three new educational staff at the school. L -R: Stacey Dunlop is teaching grade 7/8, while Valerie Pennington is teaching Grade 2/3. Absent is educational assistant Laurie Spitzig. New teachers and colourful educational outdoor space at Lucknow Central Troy Patterson Editor Lucknow Central Public School has welcomed three new educational profession- als and has given its play- ground surface a new look for the 2016-2017 year. Principal Mark Kolohon said the foocus this year is student achievement and well-being, while teaching students to work together to benefit their community. "We're looking for any kind of opportunity for stu- dents to support their community, inside and out- side of the school," said Kolohon. Students can take up vol- unteer and community ser- vice roles throughout the school year, whether it's in - school helping like bus and lunch monitoring, announcement helpers, chair crew, equipment room helpers, library helpers, 'techies' to help with com- puters, or the 'Recycling Dream Team', many oppor- tunities exist to gain experi- ence. Kolohon said some students have even volunteered to be 'on-call' to help teachers or staff if a need arises. He said this is a great opportunity for young peo- ple to get used to volunteer- ing, both for what's required in their high school years and as adults, helping their communities. "It's in-line with other schools, with the focus on well-being in support of stu- dent achievement," Kolohon said. "Staff has been working hard to get to know students:' The school recently held its back to school barbecue with support from the Luc - know Legion, welcoming students and new staff. Taking up the Grade 7/8 duties is Stacey Dunlop, who has spent the last four years in Durham, grew up in Port Elgin and now lives in Lucknow. Valerie Pennington is teaching Grade 2/3 and has been teaching for five years, most recently at Kincardine Township Tiverton Public School. Her children attended LCPS when they were younger and Pennington calls White- church home. Also new on staff is educa- tional assistant Laurie Spitzig. Also new this year is a bright and colourful paint job the school acquired from an Orillia company that used the asphault space in new fun, and educational ways that brighten up the dull hardtop space next to the school. "As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be right for us," he said. From a road that features stop signs and other cross- ings to teach basic traffic safety, to an alphabet tree, number chart, venn diagram, map of Canada, four-square, games and more, the paint job has transformed the play area into a more fun, educa- tional space to play. "It combines literacy and numeracy, and there are all types of games you can access," Kolohon said. "We have their material, now we can experiment with how to utilize it. It will be fun to see how students will utilize them."