Students attending Cochrane's newest school, RancheView, will be experiencing a new twist to the traditional way of finding out homeroom teachers.

Students attending RancheView will be broken into groupings to help develop and foster a new school community and relationships.

Students will be placed into grade groupings and intermixed over the first six days of school to determine which students will come together to form the best classroom dynamics.

RancheView, Administrator, Sharon Cronin, says while she realizes this approach is different and not traditional, she feels this is a great way for the school to get to know one another.

"It's an opportunity for the RancheView leaders to broaden their sense and understanding of community."

The grade groups will be participating in all sorts of activities including outdoor, leadership, and small projects. Students will work together as individuals, in groups, and perhaps even doing some presentations.

"Everything we are doing is geared towards gathering as much information as teachers can so that they can sit and create these strong dynamic classrooms where everything will be sort of equal balance from the academic, social/emotional, and the gender balance."

65 new registrations will be included in RancheView's population; including transfers from other Rocky View Schools, as well as, people new to RanchView's catchment area.

Cronin, is open and reviewing recommendations from parents as well as past school environments when finally formalizing class lists, and will be responsive to the needs of students.

Cronin says she is not naive that parents and children may be feeling uncertain of the new approach, but encourages everyone to be patient, flexible and trusting.

Cronin has been in education for 25 years and an administrator for 14, while Cronin knows there will be challenges she wants families to know that success is at the core of every decision.

"Everything we do is very purposeful, and everything we do is truly because we believe it's in the best interest of kids."

Cronin adds if any parents have concerns her door is always open and she is receptive to hearing feedback. If you have a student attending RancheView and have concerns for Cronin, she can be reached at rancheview@rockyview.ab.ca