Principal's Message
My name is Lisa Iversen, I have been the K-3 teacher for over 20 years and the principal since the fall of 2020. In my 20+ years of teaching in the same small rural school, my heart and soul are tied to this building and its people. I know the importance of a safe and loving environment for my students and staff and that a truly kind and caring environment is essential for everyone.
At Wandering River school we have a low pupil/teacher ratio that creates a “family like” atmosphere. This also allows us to offer unique learning opportunities and experiences as well as meeting the students at their own level. Presently at Wandering River School we have two classrooms : a Kindergarten to grade three class and a grade four to six class. Preschool is offered 2 afternoons a week and will combine with the K-3 class for some of the afternoon. Multi-age classrooms have the advantage of allowing students to progress at their own rate without fear of humiliation. Students working below their grade level are easily modified for and students working above their level have access to more challenging work.
Both classrooms are equipped with a Smart TV and currently we have a 1:1 ratio for Chromebooks to students. The school houses a well stocked library that provides access to both students and the entire community. We are also fortunate to have a large variety of resources for all subjects.
At various times of the year we bring in special presentations to the school. Our small class size easily allows the students of Wandering River School to participate in many learning activities outside of the classroom as well. We offer our students a variety of field-trips throughout the year to enhance their learning experiences.
Research states that “small school students benefit from closer ties with teachers.” It’s not that teachers in big schools have less generous souls, they simply cannot get to know a large number of students as well as a teacher in a smaller school. If teachers are to act on their best instincts, they need an environment that fosters closeness. In Wandering River School we are able to get to know all of the students whether we teach them directly or not. On the playground no child goes without a name, they are not simply a face in the crowd they are individuals. Knowing they are cared for makes teaching and learning much easier.
I’m sure that everyone has heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child!” and this is very true at our school. We have a very generous community that supports the school in many ways. Our school has a daily breakfast program with many healthy choices for the students as well as monthly hot lunches that are all provided to the students at no cost, thanks to the generous donations from our community and local businesses. Christmas concerts and graduations are community events that everyone looks forward to.
I look forward to continuing to work with the staff, students, parents and the whole community to make this school the best it can be.
Lisa Iversen ☺
| Lisa Iversen | Principal and Teacher |
| Leanne Thompson | Administrative Assistant |
| Jen Kramble | Educational Assistant |
Our school operates on a 10-month school year. Northern Lights Public Schools adheres to the curriculum requirements for students in K-12 as set out by Alberta Education. Instructional Services provides support to ensure that the instructional programs meet the learning needs of all students, reflect the Alberta Program of Studies and operate within the Division's guidelines.
All Northern Lights elementary schools offer a full-day of programming for Kindergarten students five days a week.
We enhance the provincially-mandated half-day Kindergarten curriculum with a Kindergarten Extension program based on Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Curriculum Framework to provide students with a full-day Kindergarten experience.
The Kindergarten curriculum is taught by a certified teacher. The Extension program is provided by our Extension Educational Assistants (EA’s).
How the time spent in each part of the program is divided up during the day may look slightly different at each school. For example, at some schools students may spend the morning focusing on the Kindergarten curriculum with their teacher, and the afternoon on the Flight curriculum with their Extension EA. At other schools, the teacher and EA may alternate throughout the day. Each school will share what the schedule looks like with parents prior to school starting in September.
For more information, including how to register, please visit the NLPS Kindergarten page.
Care to Learn Preschool is a provincially-licensed organization located in nine schools in Northern Lights Public Schools.
We are a developmental preschool, providing learning, growth and play opportunities for pre-Kindergarten aged children through music, arts and crafts, games, physical activity, early math and literacy centres, and more.
Our preschool program is designed to support families in their efforts to provide their preschool-aged child with the following essential skills:
- independence;
- decision-making;
- imagination and creativity;
- sense of community;
- communication;
- learning through exploration;
- problem-solving;
- feelings of value and self-worth;
- and relating to others.
We offer many options for parents to choose from.
For more information about our Care to Learn Preschool program, please visit the NLPS Care to Learn Preschool page.