As the school bells ring today for the first time in 2011, school officials reflect on the first semester and look ahead to the second.

Recognition from the Education Minister in October was due praise for our educators, said Frank Lento, chair of the School District 5 board of trustees.

"The achievements of our students are a tribute and testament to what our staff does for our students," said Lento. "I am extremely proud of that and it was acknowledged by the minister."

Minister George Abbott publicly lauded Grade 4 students in School District 5 for being among the four most literate groups in the province.

"It revolves around extra attention, extra focus for students on areas that require mediation," said Minister Abbott at the time.

Lento foresees teachers will forge ahead in positive directions in 2011.

"It is amazing what our leadership and staff do," said Lento. "They are meeting the most intelligent needs of our students."

An initiative to replace the aging Mount Baker Secondary School reached phase two in November. The Replacement Committee hired Nelson consultant Mike Stolte to review its 90-page report on possibilities for a Neighbourhood Learning Centre in Cranbrook.

"Mike Stolte is doing research on other Neighbourhood Learning Centres across the country and he is familiarizing himself with the work we've done to date," said board trustee Trina Ayling. "Consultation in Cranbrook could start as early as February."

First to be interviewed, said Ayling, will likely be students and staff of the high school. Once Stolte has completed a plan for the school, it will be submitted to the Ministry of Education.

"In 2011, hopefully the senior levels of government get their act together and we can move forward with the plan to replace Mount Baker," said Frank Lento. "Any announcement would be great."

2010 also saw the introduction of full-day kindergarten in School District 5. Two hundred children are enrolled in the program for this school year, and Lento said the program will be expanded in 2011.

"We will have full time kindergarten in all communities," confirmed Lento.

He added that none of these achievements would have been possible without the wise direction of Superintendent Bill Gook and Secretary-Treasurer Rob Norum.

"The fiscal responsibility of our treasurer and superintendent is significant," said Lento. "Even though the budget from the ministry is insufficient to meet the needs of our students, they have still been able to make it work."