By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — The Davidson School class of 2028 is off to a good start, if their numbers are any indication.
This fall will see the school welcome its largest Kindergarten class in at least a decade, principal Jason Low announced at a recent meeting.
Low told the school’s community council during its meeting Tuesday that a total of 29 students are expected to begin Kindergarten this fall.
Over the last decade, the number of students beginning Kindergarten in Davidson School each year has typically run in the high teens or low twenties, reaching a recent low of 12 students in 2009.
The influx of beginners will have a significant impact on the school’s enrolment numbers, especially given that just seven Davidson students will graduate from Grade 12 this spring.
Low said the jump in enrolment will be reflected in higher staffing levels, as the school will see an increase equivalent to one-and-a-half full-time positions.
Such a large group of Kindergarten students will likely necessitate a split class divided between two teachers, Low added.
Those present at the meeting welcomed this as positive news, even though the increased numbers will bring new challenges to the school.
For instance, Low said there has already been some confusion regarding how the new Kindergarten class would be split.
At a recent meeting with parents, he reported, the staff sought some input on how the split would be determined.
“We were trying to be diplomatic,” he said, but the discussion that followed indicated there were some misconceptions as to what factors would play a role.
“The school team is going to split the kids based on what’s best for the students, and that’s the end of it,” Low explained.
Teacher and council member Sandra Baldwin said the reaction wasn’t unusual, explaining, “It’s perfectly normal if parents are feeling that anxiety, especially if they’re new parents.”
Grade 2 teacher Laura Willner said the council would play an important public relations role, helping to ensure parents that the right choices would be made for their children.
“Schools are going to make a responsible decision and look at all the pieces,” she said. “For lack of a better word, we need to sell the idea.”
Looking ahead to the 2016-17 school year, the large Kindergarten class will also have an impact on Davidson’s playschool program.
Once the 29 students begin attending school full-time, Low said, Davidson School will no longer have room to accommodate the playschool program. Organizers have been informed and advised to start seeking other arrangements.
Along with the increased staffing numbers, Davidson School will welcome four interns from the University of Regina this fall.
The University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon has yet to confirm its interns with the school, so the total number could still increase.