Years of Employment: 1990-1991 school year to 2019-2020 school year
Current Residence:Saskatoon, SK.
Current Occupation:Retired
Subjects Taught or Duties: ELA, History, Psych, Media Studies, Law, Social Studies, Photo, Comp Sci, IP, hmmm, probably forgetting some .....
Memories: I came to Kelliher a shy innocent 23 yr old, but matured into a crusty old lady! Without naming names, I remember:
when I first came to Kelliher, only the women staff washed the dishes and cleaned the staff room. My first year, our director came to see me teach, and told me while it was okay I was wearing a skirt, female teachers should only wear dresses, never pants!
epic grad fights over ridiculous things, laying on the floor helping decorate, getting frogs/pigeons out of the arena to decorate, the smell of the arena;
Drama, where I couldn't watch the performances, either shredding programs backstage, or pacing @ the back of the gym, bringing whichever dog to dress rehearsals bc the kids thought that would make a good performance, fun dress rehearsal where we switched parts for fun, seeing plays which I'd written for specific kids go over so well;
SRC (now SLC) meetings, when the younger kids realized the whole school meetings were always scheduled during middle years classes so I could miss them!;
dance supervision, where it was a bit disappointing to see the kids I knew pretending to be cool to impress their dorky invited guests; everyone getting up to dance to "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate";
whole school lunches + the Spring Smorg;
horse-knight-rider battles + all the Christmas activities in the gym for high school;
the Yearbook DVDs, which were a huge success, then petered out with repetition (@ the end of my time at Kelliher, kids kept asking "why can't we do that"); "Build Me Up Buttercup" video;
watching kids experience a piece of literature with a twist or a surprise, or having their siblings ask "have they done so-and-so yet, I want to see what they thought"; NO SPOILERS!!;
snow days, playing Nintendo + eating popcorn;
teaching children of former students (*shiver*); or having them come back, with their children, to look at the grad photo wall and ask "Where's mommy/daddy?" ; the shock on their faces when they see how many more grad photos there are after their class; when they see how much the school has changed and realize it's not the place they remember;
listening to memories of former students who remembered themselves as being rebels or tough (eh, not so much, wiener!);
refereeing vicious fights in middle years, only to have the kids apologize to each other in grade 12, or ask to talk to younger classes so they don't make the same mistakes with their classmates;
wars over hats and cell phones; ...
I know I'll think of 20 more things later on!
Fads or Trends:You kids always thought you looked so cool with your mullets, big hair, weird eyebrows, ripped jeans, chew stuck in your lip (like no one could actually see it, you thought you were so sneaky)! Looking back, even 5 years later, wasn't that silly? Kids making fun of my verbal quirks: tickety-boo, tickle your fancy, snag a boo, hork it down, ready to rock and roll, losers/wieners/nerds/spazzes etc
Current Occupation:Office Administrator, Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish
Subjects Taught or Duties: Teacher-Aide/ Principal's Secretary, Kindergarten Aide and Library Aide
Memories: Of being able to work with hard-working dedicated staff who were very close-knit and dedicated to delivering quality education to the students. The staff . . . how everyone got along so well having fun, and what a great working atmosphere it was. The students . . . whatever did they do without cell phones, MP3 players, personal computers and all the electronic gadgets of today! I don't recall "fashion" being as big an issue among the students as in some schools and designer "duds" were not commonplace. And who could forget the old "gestettner machine" in the office, I usually ended up with more ink on myself than the paper . . . so Mr. Oleksyn would usually have to come to the rescue! The old spirit duplicator was a little better but praise be for modern photocopiers!
Fads or Trends:"Big" hair, turquoise and purple were the hot colours in clothes.
Current Occupation: Coordinator, Scheduling and Facilities for Lethbridge Community College
Subjects Taught or Duties: Principal's Secretary
Memories: I have memories of...drama productions, being a dance partner for social dancing with the Grade 12 Phys. Ed. Class...when there weren't enough girls...my new office being built outside the principal's office, being the first school office in the division to switch from a typewriter to a computer...that was big!...being known to staff and students as "Mrs.B"...great people, great job, great memories!
Years of Employment: 1983-1985 Library Aide, 1987-1999 Substitute Teacher, 1990 Grade 9 Home Room (filled in for Mrs. Vicki Maydonick for 2 months! Great experience!)
Current Residence: Kelliher
Current Occupation: Business Owner/Office Clerk
Subjects Taught or Duties: TEACHING: I substitute taught mostly in the middle to high school part of the school. I seldom substitute taught in the elementary grades, but this is where I was most comfortable. However I did enjoy the older students. Learnt lots from them. Great energy! When filling in for Mrs. Maydonick I did grade 9 and 10 math homework every night. Just so I could answer questions the following day! The staff and students were very helpful!
LIBRARY AIDE: I enjoyed my time in the library, helping with research projects, carding and shelving books. I have the distinct honour of being guest speaker for graduation twice, 1985 and 1993. An experience I will carry with me forever. Kelliher School, my classmates, the staff, the students, and its community have been wonderful!
Memories: Lots of activities for a smaller school! During the 1980s, the loonie replaces the dollar bill, Ben Johnson wins 100m sprint in 9.83 seconds, the average price of an automobile was about $10 000, a home about $87 000, a postage stamp about 20 cents
Fads or Trends:Pouffy hair styles, Glass Tiger, Platinum Blonde, Bryan Adams, Alf, Dynasty, Full House
Additional Comments: What a great school project! Kelliher's 100th year celebration is near; what a great way to reminisce and celebrate successes!
Subjects Taught or Duties: Library Aide - List overdue books and give overdue notes, shelved and catalogued books. Teacher's Aide - typed (mostly exams - disliked the biology ones - too long and usually multiple choice). Sometimes I substituted for teachers. I taught Grade 10 typing for a while until a teacher was hired.
Memories: No electric typewriters or photo copiers! I had great helpers - Martha Lambert and Simone Haney. Enjoyed the Library work tremendously!
Fads or Trends:The teachers used to really dress up. Women in skirts and blouses, or dresses. Men wore suits and usually a tie.
Additional Comments: I enjoyed my years helping at the Kelliher School. I knew the students well. I always wanted to become a teacher, so this was a nice opportunity to come that close.
Subjects Taught or Duties:Grade 12 home room, Gr. 11 &12 Biology; Gr. 9,10,11, & 12 social studies; Gr.7 science
Continued Education:
Memories:Chaperone of 20 students to Ottawa and London Ontario as part of the Young Voyageur program. Being named Teacher of the Year by the Graduating Class of 1974 and them presenting me with a gold watch. Coaching volleyball outside because there was no gym. Organizing numerous graduation church services, ceremonies, and dances---Grad! Grad! Grad!!!!! Grade 10 trips to Legislature, university etc. in Regina.
Fads or Trends:
Additional Comments: A Great Little School with Great Staff and Students!! Learned to golf when living there. Did a LOT of curling. Great community Spirit.
Subjects Taught or Duties:French, Social, Math. --Grade 10 then grade 9 home room
Continued Education:
Memories:Holding School Assemblies and gym classes in the centre area -auditorium--with the four high school classrooms around it. Being so happy when the gym was added to the school. Grad was a really BIG event. A GREAT place to teach and to live- dedicated and fun staff; hard working students; supportive parents; and fabulous community spirit and cooperation
Fads or Trends:I remember wearing a pant suit to school in 1971 and Mr. Brown, the principal, was not impressed--female teachers were not to wear pants. Soon a number of the other female teachers joined the "new fashion" trend.
Additional Comments: I remember the FUN staff parties in June--particularly those held at Ned and Eleanor Clarke's farm.
In July, 1974 Mr. Ledingham (Beattie) and myself were lucky enough to be chosen to chaperone a group of 20 students from our School Division to Ottawa and London Ontario as part of the Young Voyageur Program.
Two of our 3 sons were born when we lived and taught in Kelliher.
Over the years it has been so Great to meet up with or keep in contact via social media with some of our former students, fellow staff members and people from the community. We have very fond memories of Kelliher and our time spent there.
Years of Employment: 1964-1997 Name When Graduated: Gladys Heggie Current Name: Gladys Oleksyn (Mrs. O)
Current Residence: Kelliher, SK.
Current Occupation: Retired
Subjects Taught or Duties: Home Economics, Math, Sciences, gr. 3-12, mostly gr. 6
Memories: Variety Nights held in "today's lounge area", classrooms in the lab and hallways (not enough classroom space), Kelliher High School - a 4 room brand new building in 1957-58 - with modern skylights that always leaked. The first year book 1958-59, and my first classroom at Kelliher (Grade 3). 1964-65 - using the division system - 2 year (accelerated program), 3 year regular program, and 4 year decelerated-remedial program. The teacher moved from Gr. 1 to 3 with the same class. Planning and preparing for the first Grade 6 tour to Motherwell, Indian Head and camping at Echo Park. One girl's tent rearranging their sleeping direction every hour, practicing setting up tents on the playground or in the multi-purpose room if the water was inadequate.
Subjects Taught or Duties: Started with Grade 7 & 8 in Cottage Building beside new 4 room school. Had a short fling of Chem., Biol., & English. The last 20 or 50 years were English, in Division 3 & 4.
Memories: Memories include: 1) Mr. Brown, my first Principal who was all business, but he also knew how and when to have a good time! 2) They huge attendance here when Leross, Jasmin, and then country schools came in. During one of the years in the mid 60's, there was over 400 students. 3) I was amazed by the unusually high number of pretty girls who seemed to come from Leross and area. I'm happy to say that one of them became my wife! 4) I recall the huge fuss that grads involved. There was no gym or Rec. Center. The event took place in the village hall. 5) Conventions were 3 day affairs and were keenly anticipated. This was where you really got to know your staff. 6) Drama and sports were always important. 7) Kelliher School always had more than their share of high scholastic results.
Fads or Trends:I remember the cars, teachers drove. I had a 1949 Chev-4 Door, when I came in 1960. Remembering what they wore or hair styles was low on priority list for me.
Subjects Taught or Duties:Phys Ed, Photography, Construction, Visual Art mostly. Had some middle years classes and elementary PE at beginning of career. Vice Principal for 4 years.
Memories: Memories as a staff member include a lot of practical jokes and fun in the staff room, and working with some wonderful students both in the Library and in the canteen.
Fads or Trends:Too many - coaching various teams, community members, and Komets hockey.
Current Occupation: Administrative Assistant in Lipton School
Subjects Taught or Duties: I was the Library Associate during my years in Kelliher School
Memories: Memories as a staff member include a lot of practical jokes and fun in the staff room, and working with some wonderful students both in the Library and in the canteen.
Fads or Trends:I remember some of the wild wonderful clothing worn by a few of the students who wanted to make a statement.
Additional Comments: Thank you for doing this alumni project! As Kelliher's 100th birthday is coming up in 2009, it will prove to be a great asset I'm sure!
Subjects Taught or Duties: Physical Education, Social, Math, Health
Memories: Coaching and getting to know the students. Good times with the Staff, June staff parties, and Christmas poetry. Track and Field. Grade 8 tours - Remember the tornado.
Fads or Trends:Long hair, skirts that were too short, hats, rubber boot protests, and Drama Nights.
Years of Employment:Fall 1974- June 1979, Fall 1980- June 1986, Fall 1987- June 2006
Current Residence: Saskatoon
Current Occupation: Retired
Subjects Taught or Duties: Kindergarten to Grade 2 is where I taught most of the time.
Memories:My favourite memories are of the students I had the opportunity to teach, the staff that became good friends, and the supportive community.
Fads or Trends:The neon colored snowsuits of the 80’s against the white snow is a vivid memory! Those who stuck their tongues on the monkey bars in the winter were really just curious. The Christmas concerts, drama nights, athletic events, and field trips were always lots of work, but well worth the time.
Additional Comments:We are looking forward to seeing everyone this summer.
Subjects Taught or Duties:School Librarian, Middle Years English and Music, many other things!
Memories:Teaching in the old 4-room school, writing the Grad song for years, Grade 8 camping trips, the kids were sometimes mischievous, but always good to work with, the staff always got along well.
Current Occupation: Credit Union Employee - MSR/Loans Officer
Subjects Taught or Duties:Kindergarten Aide
Memories:Loved to hear the stories that the children told, like "My dad had to sleep on the couch last night", or about how the neighbour's dog was a pain! I loved being with the children - they made each and every day special!
Fads or Trends:Barney was a talked about favourite in the classroom. Franklin was the book of choice.
Additional Comments:I enjoyed working with everyone on staff for the short period I was there. Thank you for all the hard work that went into creating such a great website!
Subjects Taught or Duties:Learning Support, VP, P Memories:My best memories are from extra curricular activities, especially SLC, track and curling! Finally winning a gold in curling in 2014 is a highlight!
Fads or Trends:
Additional Comments:My years at Kelliher were the best of my teaching career so far.
Subjects Taught or Duties:PreK/K Teacher and Instructional Support
Memories:Fun with the SLC kids, coaching volleyball, feet painting and play with the PreK/Ks, staff room visits, school and community Christmas lunch with the hall decorated to the nines, the “aha” moments with students learning a new concept, my staff Minute to Win It orientation with Kris Klein, Andrew Dean and Don Jewitt, dunk tank fundraisers, snow days and the amazing community!
Fads or Trends:The girls were concerned with “eyebrows on fleek” and the boys wanted their hair to have “sick flow.” Everyone has Snapchat. Instagram and Facebook supplement the school webpage and the newsletter became electronic! Our school got the big renovation my first year, 2014, transforming the senior end and Kelliher School got its first Ministry of Education PreK program.
Additional Comments:Love this little town, this little school and the big hearts of staff, students and alumni!