A new face will be leading the team at Iron Ridge Junior Campus (IRJC) next school year. Nolan Krauss has been appointed as the new principal at the Blackfalds school.
Krauss will be replacing Alda Lovell who has taken on the role of coordinator of learning supports at the Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) Division Office.
“I am very excited to be joining the IRJC team,” said Krauss. “I am looking forward to connecting with the students, staff and parents at IRJC as we head into the 2015-16 school year.”
Krauss has been with WCPS for 14 years and has served as a teacher, assistant principal as well as principal at Bluffton School. Prior to joining WCPS, Krauss taught in Saskatchewan for three years.
“Being a principal is a privilege that has been entrusted to me and it is an honour to join the IRJC staff,” he said. “I will sincerely miss my colleagues, the students and the parents at Bluffton School but I look forward to this new opportunity and the experiences that IRJC will no doubt provide.”
Krauss has served on the Administrators’ Executive in 2012-13 for WCPS. In 2010, Krauss was recognized with the CARCSA Distinguished Leadership Award.
Under his leadership, Bluffton School hosted a technology symposium for WCPS staff, which has grown into one of the division’s annual events. His commitment to a focus on technology and learning includes a laptop project, Emerge 1:1.
Krauss has connected with students, parents and colleagues through dedication to extra-curricular athletics. In 2006, he received the Alberta Excellence in Teaching Award.
“Nolan’s sense of community and commitment to affiliative school leadership will be an excellent fit for the IRJC community moving into the 2015-16 school year,” said Corrine Thorsteinson, director of people services. “His leadership has been characterized by instructional leadership, a focus on technology and dedication to extra-curricular athletics which makes him a great asset to IRJC and to the WCPS administrative team.”
IRJC currently has a school staff of 21 teachers, 10 support staff and provides a diverse offering of educational programs for Grades 5 to 9.
In addition, the neighbouring Iron Ridge Elementary Campus (IREC) will also be welcoming two new assistant principals at the beginning of the new school year.
Della Oszli-Lastiwka and Deborah Van Delden have both been appointed as the new assistant principals.
A vacancy was created when previous assistant principal Maureen Schlemko was appointed as principal for the school.
The additional assistant principal position was added to the school administration team to address the anticipated 575 students that are expected at the school in the coming year and also in anticipation of the new school opening in September 2016.
"I am very pleased to be joining the IREC staff,” said Oszli-Lastiwka. “I'm looking forward to meeting and working with the students, staff and parents of the IREC school community. It's an exciting time in Blackfalds with a new school coming and I look forward to the changes it will bring.”
Oszli-Lastiwka has more than 25 years of teaching experience in elementary and middle school settings. Currently she is the assistant principal at Joseph Welsh Elementary School in Red Deer. She was also the acting assistant principal at Innisfail Middle School for one year.
"I am thrilled to be joining the IREC team and I look forward to working with such amazing and committed people," said Van Delden, of her new appointment.
Van Delden has been a teacher at IRJC since 2004 and has also taught at River Glen School for one year, along with one year at Forest Hill Junior/Senior Public School in Toronto.
"I would agree with Della that it is an exciting time for the school community in Blackfalds,” said Jayson Lovell, assistant superintendent of people services. “I have every confidence that Della and Deb will be very successful in their new roles. Their leadership at Iron Ridge Elementary will support the growing student population and will be valuable as we plan for the new school to open.”
IREC has a school staff of 32 teachers, 18 support staff and serves approximately 550 students from Kindergarten to Grade 4.
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