New Principal Begins Work At Southside

Patrick Drapeau is excited to work on improvements as the new principal at Southside Elementary School in Wolf Point.

Drapeau officially began his duties on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

“I feel K-3 is most important because it makes the building blocks for the later education,” Drapeau said of the lower grade levels.

For the last two years, he served as assistant principal for the high school, junior high and alternative school in New Town, N.D. His experience also includes five years at the middle school in Williston, N.D., and a year at Williston State College.

“I’ve been in every asset of education, which is nice,” Drapeau said.

Although he’s coming from a high school/junior high environment, he explains that working with the very young elementary students won’t be too much of a change for him. After all, his first teaching position was at the kindergarten level.

“So, it’s kind of full circle for me,” Drapeau said.

Three reasons that made him very interested in the Wolf Point position were that he and curriculum director Sarah Chambers are on the same page, the location being close to Williston where he has family and his experience working with Native Americans.

“It’s going to be an awesome experience to drive expectations and get it to where we want to,” Drapeau said.

School officials stress that parents need to register new kindergarten students as soon as possible.

Southside will hold a “meet the teachers” event from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19.

Drapeau

Patrick Drapeau is excited to serve as the new principal at Southside Elementary School in Wolf Point. The school will hold a “meet the teachers” event from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19. (Photo by Bill Vander Weele)