Principal Bob Derkson finds Riverview to be a welcoming school

Ken Johnston
Editor

For Bob Derkson spending time in the principal’s office is old hat.
He is the new principal of Riverview Elementary School in Rainy River and McCrosson Tovell School in Bergland, but is not new to being one. He served seven years in Nestor Falls, two years at Robert Moore and three at Donald Young School.
At Nestor Falls he served as a teacher and principal, which he admitted was difficult at times. All told he has been teaching and administrating for 31 years.
He lives in Fort Frances but was originally from Barwick. He loves the area and always has.
So far he has found Riverview to be very welcoming and feels the school has an excellent learning environment. He said he received praise for the school from Terry Ogden who retired as principal at Riverview in 2000. Derkson has known Ogden for years and says they are curling buddies.
He said that the school is working on improving its learning environment through workshops on how to improve literacy.
He is looking forward to working with both the staff and parents on positive improvements at the school.
Outside of school time he loves to canoe, camp, curl and is active in the Fort Frances Lions Club.