Tisdale School District # 916 - Tisdale Elementary School
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In 1995, the Tisdale School Division received approval to construct a new high school. The Board made the decision to build the high school on to the existing Tisdale Public School, which was attached to the Recplex, so that the joint-use facility concept could be developed even further.
In order to consolidate and streamline educational services, four town schools were restructured into two sites. The Dag Hammarskjold School (K-1) and the Tisdale Unit Composite School both closed in June of 1997. The middle years students moved into the Tisdale Public School, while the high school students moved into the newly constructed school, and together they became Tisdale Middle and Secondary School. All of the Kindergarten to Grade 5 students were moved to the Centennial Junior High School, which was, renamed the Tisdale Elementary School.
In order to accommodate the needs of younger students, a $300,000 renovation took place in the summer of 1997. The Industrial Arts area was made into classrooms. The gymnasium change rooms were renovated to make a new classroom and some smaller rooms to be used for special education. New washrooms were constructed in the K-3 wing, and lockers were removed, making the hallways wide and bright.
The playgrounds were re-located that summer, a huge undertaking as equipment had to meet new safety standards before being re-installed. A committee of teachers, local Board members, and a Division Board member coordinated the move, with some parent volunteers helping. By November of 1997, even the hill slide had been moved.
The logistics of moving every desk, library book, and box of supplies was almost overwhelming. The task of coordinating the physical move was assigned to Ron Eremko, a retired principal of the Tisdale Public School. He efficiently oversaw the operation. Although renovations of TES were not quite complete when school opened that fall and staff were a little stressed about students arriving before all materials were unpacked and fully organized, the transition was smoother than many had anticipated.
The Tisdale Elementary School opened in the fall of 1997 with an enrolment of 375 students, from Kindergarten to Grade Five. It occupied the facility, which had previously been the Centennial Junior High School.
Marlene Orban who had been principal of the Dag Hammarskjold School and then of the Tisdale Public School worked very hard to ensure that the combined staff and students would feel at home and comfortable in the newly created Tisdale Elementary School. She continued as principal of TES until her retirement in June of 2003. Dave Krowchenko was the vice principal of TES from 1997 until his retirement in 2002. Rodney White succeeded him as vice-principal.
In 1997 there were 375 students in 13 classrooms with a staff of 18 teachers and 12 support staff. TES boasted a computer lab, an extensive library and an Arts. Ed. specialist. The TES motto was “Lifelong Learners”. It became the mission of the staff at TES “to foster a student-centred, caring and sharing environment where parents feel informed and involved and where individuals are encouraged to develop their self-esteem, become adaptable to a changing society and strive to be lifelong learners.”
Some annual student activities and events have been the Terry Fox Run, Pumpkin Festival, Christmas Concert, Kindergarten Circus, Grade 5 Family Dance, Science and Health Fairs, Winter Festival, Play Day and swimming lessons. There is a very dedicated Safety Patrol team of students who ensure that students can safely cross the busy street in front of TES. The Tisdale RCMP have sponsored a KID ID program, given “Hug a Tree” presentations and yearly bicycle safety instruction, as well as offered the DARE (drug awareness) program to grade five students. A student Leadership Team adds to school spirit and the Earth Club recycles milk and juice containers and promotes respect of the environment.
In May, 2005, a special event was held to celebrate the centennials of both the town of Tisdale and the province of Saskatchewan. The school was transformed into 13 one room schools. Students and staff dressed in old-time costumes and spent the morning doing lessons that would have been typical of a school in 1905, including a health inspection, spelling bee, the making of a centennial quilt and learning to do “Cat’s Cradle.” Parents attended an “old-fashioned picnic” at lunch, and the afternoon was spent playing traditional games. Each classroom enjoyed a horse-drawn wagon ride.
Fund raising activities have included Spell-a-thons, monthly hot dog sales, cookbook sales and selling a TES calendar. Funds have been used to purchase playground equipment, a stage for the gym, school ground beautification and a sound system. Students have made substantial donations to Telemiracle, sponsored two foster children, participated in food drives, and collected warm clothing for needy children through a Sask. Energy project.
In the fall of 2001, the Learning Support Center was incorporated. It offered pre-school children who were at-risk for learning or social difficulties an opportunity to transition into Kindergarten without the disruption of a change of location. TES has a dedicated team of Special Education teachers, classroom teachers and teacher assistants who support students with special needs in the regular classroom. In 2002, Tisdale Elementary School received an award for being “Inclusive School of the Year” for Saskatchewan.
In the fall of 2003, Brenda Gabriel became the new principal of TES. That year, the computer lab was completely renovated and each year students have become more technologically proficient.
In 2004, students adopted a new mascot and logo, TES Timberwolves. A large Timberwolf was painted on the gym wall by a local artist, Yves Ollivier.
By 2004, there were 356 students K-5, 22 teachers and 20 support staff.
Teachers:
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In order to consolidate and streamline educational services, four town schools were restructured into two sites. The Dag Hammarskjold School (K-1) and the Tisdale Unit Composite School both closed in June of 1997. The middle years students moved into the Tisdale Public School, while the high school students moved into the newly constructed school, and together they became Tisdale Middle and Secondary School. All of the Kindergarten to Grade 5 students were moved to the Centennial Junior High School, which was, renamed the Tisdale Elementary School.
In order to accommodate the needs of younger students, a $300,000 renovation took place in the summer of 1997. The Industrial Arts area was made into classrooms. The gymnasium change rooms were renovated to make a new classroom and some smaller rooms to be used for special education. New washrooms were constructed in the K-3 wing, and lockers were removed, making the hallways wide and bright.
The playgrounds were re-located that summer, a huge undertaking as equipment had to meet new safety standards before being re-installed. A committee of teachers, local Board members, and a Division Board member coordinated the move, with some parent volunteers helping. By November of 1997, even the hill slide had been moved.
The logistics of moving every desk, library book, and box of supplies was almost overwhelming. The task of coordinating the physical move was assigned to Ron Eremko, a retired principal of the Tisdale Public School. He efficiently oversaw the operation. Although renovations of TES were not quite complete when school opened that fall and staff were a little stressed about students arriving before all materials were unpacked and fully organized, the transition was smoother than many had anticipated.
The Tisdale Elementary School opened in the fall of 1997 with an enrolment of 375 students, from Kindergarten to Grade Five. It occupied the facility, which had previously been the Centennial Junior High School.
Marlene Orban who had been principal of the Dag Hammarskjold School and then of the Tisdale Public School worked very hard to ensure that the combined staff and students would feel at home and comfortable in the newly created Tisdale Elementary School. She continued as principal of TES until her retirement in June of 2003. Dave Krowchenko was the vice principal of TES from 1997 until his retirement in 2002. Rodney White succeeded him as vice-principal.
In 1997 there were 375 students in 13 classrooms with a staff of 18 teachers and 12 support staff. TES boasted a computer lab, an extensive library and an Arts. Ed. specialist. The TES motto was “Lifelong Learners”. It became the mission of the staff at TES “to foster a student-centred, caring and sharing environment where parents feel informed and involved and where individuals are encouraged to develop their self-esteem, become adaptable to a changing society and strive to be lifelong learners.”
Some annual student activities and events have been the Terry Fox Run, Pumpkin Festival, Christmas Concert, Kindergarten Circus, Grade 5 Family Dance, Science and Health Fairs, Winter Festival, Play Day and swimming lessons. There is a very dedicated Safety Patrol team of students who ensure that students can safely cross the busy street in front of TES. The Tisdale RCMP have sponsored a KID ID program, given “Hug a Tree” presentations and yearly bicycle safety instruction, as well as offered the DARE (drug awareness) program to grade five students. A student Leadership Team adds to school spirit and the Earth Club recycles milk and juice containers and promotes respect of the environment.
In May, 2005, a special event was held to celebrate the centennials of both the town of Tisdale and the province of Saskatchewan. The school was transformed into 13 one room schools. Students and staff dressed in old-time costumes and spent the morning doing lessons that would have been typical of a school in 1905, including a health inspection, spelling bee, the making of a centennial quilt and learning to do “Cat’s Cradle.” Parents attended an “old-fashioned picnic” at lunch, and the afternoon was spent playing traditional games. Each classroom enjoyed a horse-drawn wagon ride.
Fund raising activities have included Spell-a-thons, monthly hot dog sales, cookbook sales and selling a TES calendar. Funds have been used to purchase playground equipment, a stage for the gym, school ground beautification and a sound system. Students have made substantial donations to Telemiracle, sponsored two foster children, participated in food drives, and collected warm clothing for needy children through a Sask. Energy project.
In the fall of 2001, the Learning Support Center was incorporated. It offered pre-school children who were at-risk for learning or social difficulties an opportunity to transition into Kindergarten without the disruption of a change of location. TES has a dedicated team of Special Education teachers, classroom teachers and teacher assistants who support students with special needs in the regular classroom. In 2002, Tisdale Elementary School received an award for being “Inclusive School of the Year” for Saskatchewan.
In the fall of 2003, Brenda Gabriel became the new principal of TES. That year, the computer lab was completely renovated and each year students have become more technologically proficient.
In 2004, students adopted a new mascot and logo, TES Timberwolves. A large Timberwolf was painted on the gym wall by a local artist, Yves Ollivier.
By 2004, there were 356 students K-5, 22 teachers and 20 support staff.
Teachers:
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Carol Andrusiak |
1998- |
Randy Bergman |
1991-2001 |
Diane Burningham |
2000- |
Gwenne Degenstein |
1997-98 |
Shirley DeMarsh |
1997- |
Jack Fulton |
1997- |
Brenda Gabriel |
2003- |
Alice Hoffart |
1997- |
Jim Hoffart |
1997-2001 |
Karen Honeyman |
2001-02 |
Melody Hughes |
1997-2003 |
Shirley Hunt |
1997- |
Corrie Kirk |
2004- |
Selena Kowal |
1997-2000 |
David Krowchenko |
1997-2002 |
Elaine LeGatt |
1902-2003 |
Darlene Leroux |
1997- |
Kenton Letkeman |
2004- |
Diana Martinson |
1997-98 |
Marylyn McIntosh |
2001- |
Darlene McRae |
1997-2002 |
Morley Mehler |
1997-2000 |
Betty Mutch |
1997-2001 |
Crystal Swidzinski |
2002- |
Diana Martinson |
2000- |
Betty Mutch |
2004- |
Sandra Norum |
2003- |
Marlene Orban |
1997-2003 |
Lorna Ratushniak |
1998- |
Lisa Reed |
1998-2001 |
Fran Riou |
2004- |
Roy Carmen |
1997- |
Leah Sisson |
2001- |
Carrie Spedding |
2000- |
Carol Spencer |
1997-2004 |
Joyce Thurston |
1997- |
Cheryl Weenk |
1997-2000 |
Katie White |
2002- |
Rodney White |
2002- |
Carnie Williams |
2003- |
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Support Staff:
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Joy Abbs |
1997-2001 |
Jo-Anne Armstrong |
2001- |
Deannah Bergen |
2004 |
Penny Crowley |
2001- |
Debbie DeGruchy |
2001- |
Lori Durant |
2001- |
Joanne Fraser |
2003- |
Audra Fusick |
1998- |
Erin George |
2003 |
Michelle Graham |
2000-01 |
Paulette Gruending |
2000- |
Laurie Hobin |
1997-2000 |
Martina Huvenaars |
2002-04 |
Brenda Lajoie |
1999- |
John LamMa |
2003- |
Sharon Lloyd |
2002- |
Marla Marshall |
2001-04 |
Christine Minhinnick |
2000- |
Sybil Moser |
1997- |
Cathy Musselman |
1999- |
Brenda Simon |
2002-03 |
Sandy Stone |
1998- |
Lynda Stromme |
1997- |
Hazel Wagner |
1997- |
Linda Woolley |
1997-99 |
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Article by Alice Hoffart with some information from the Tisdale School Division Web Site
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