Elk Creek welcomes new principal, teachers

Elk Creek schools have a new principal and some new teachers as they start the 2012-13 school year.

"Things are going very well," Principal Tim Drury said, as classes began Monday. "It has been quiet for a first day, but the kids are already in motion."

Drury took over administration of Stony Creek Joint Unified School District schools on Aug. 1.

He heads both Elk Creek Elementary and Elk Creek High schools along with Indian Valley School in Stonyford.

Drury said roughly 110-115 students attend the three schools this year, with 31 students enrolled at Elk Creek Elementary and 29 at Indian Valley.

The high school has 33 students, and combined with the junior high school, has 48.

On the secondary level, FFA remains popular this year, he said, with most high school students being a part of the organization through their enrollment in agriculture-related classes such as shop, welding, agricultural science and animal science.

New district teachers include Lynda Walter who will teach seventh and eighth grade at Elk Creek School and Margaret Somerville who is teaching fourth and fifth grade at Indian Valley, Drury said.

Long-time high school teacher Georgia Green returns to teach English part-time after a year break. She taught there 27 years, he said, and most staff and students are excited about her return.

A new fourth-grade teacher for Indian Valley is to be hired in the near future, he added.

Superintendent duties are being handled by the Glenn County Office of Education, which is providing a part-time district administrator until the district can recruit a new superintendent, officials said.

Drury said this is his first job as principal, and he comes to Elk Creek from Corning High School.

He spent 10 years there teaching special education and as director of testing, Drury said, in addition to coaching football and softball.

However, Elk Creek will not have a football team this year because there are not enough students, he said. It will, though, have a volleyball team.

Drury lives in Dairyville near Los Molinos but said Monday his commute to Elk Creek is easy.

"I have been preparing to go into administration," he said, which is why he came to Elk Creek when the opportunity came.

"It is so neat," he said.

"The small class sizes provide opportunities. It is a neat place with a lot of potential."

Kindergarten and first-grade teacher Erin Powell read a Dr. Suess book to her class Monday afternoon.

Seven youngsters sat around her listening to the tale of "The Whos" — keeping close attention.

Ten students are enrolled in the class, but three were absent, Powell said.

"I am very excited about the new year and the changes," she said. "I support the combination grade levels and the hiring of new teachers and a new principal."

Powell said the teaching team is "collaborating wonderfully" and the school year is off to a great start.

She added she was raised in Willows and enjoys giving back to a Glenn County community through her teaching.