Page 4

February 2014 Board Meeting Highlights

Media Release - February 14, 2014

Trustees met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, for a regular board meeting.

The February “Students Come First” presentation titled ‘Evergreen Public School – Circus Kids’ was received by Trustees. Evergreen’s Grade 6 Teacher, Val Silvester, and three of her students, shared their experiences following a 12 week program offered at the school in conjunction with FIREFLY called ‘Circus Kids’. The program provides an opportunity for students to master new skills, such as juggling or unicycling, in an authentic and engaging way. It teaches students that if they work hard enough, they will succeed at achieving their goals. As one of the Evergreen students said during the presentation “The circus program is about trying and putting yourself out there. The circus model is never say you can’t, because you can.”

Lisa Doerksen, Mental Health Leader, presented the Children’s Mental Health update. With the continuously expanding mental health supports for students in our schools, Doerksen identified three mental health priorities for the 2013-14 school year. Addressing structural challenges, addressing knowledge challenges and addressing implementation challenges are all areas of focus. Doerksen also spoke of capacity building measures being undertaken such as mental health awareness, mental health literacy, and mental health expertise in our schools.

Caryl Hron, Superintendent of Education, presented the Grade 7-12 Model report. Hron presented trustees with a comprehensive process for administration to follow when considering Grade 7-12 models in KPDSB schools. Trustees approved administration to proceed with public consultations in Dryden and Vermilion Bay to explore the possibility of changing Dryden High School (DHS) to a Grade 7-12 model (DHS is currently a Grade 9-12 model). Consultation dates have been set for Tuesday, February 18, and Wednesday, February 26, in Dryden at DHS, and Wednesday, February 19, in Vermilion Bay at Lillian Berg Public School. All members of the Dryden and Vermilion Bay communities are invited to attend the consultations.

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, presented the Kenora Education Centre Relocation update. Trustees approved administration to proceed with discussions and plans for the Kenora Education Centre relocation to the Minidoo Baawaatig.

500 students and staff from DHS to attend Building Bridges event

Media Release - January 29, 2014

On Friday, January 31, 500 Dryden High School students and staff will attend a community gathering titled ‘Building Bridges’.

The KPDSB is a proud sponsor of the Building Bridges event, which features a performance by Shy-Anne Hovorka, a film by Thunderstone Pictures and a glimpse into the ‘I am Indingeous photography series, a photographic display honouring Aboriginals of Northwestern Ontario.

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, stated “The KPDSB supports the efforts of the Dryden Area Anti-Racism Network and are proud to support Shy-Anne Hovorka and her team coming back to Dryden to perform and raise awareness of the efforts to fight racism in our communities. We are proud of Shy-Anne not only for her many accomplishments, but also because the KPDSB considers her one of our own.”

Trustees explores learning from Kindergarten to adult graduation across the KPDSB at January Board Meeting

Media Release - January 16, 2014

Trustees met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, for a regular board meeting.

The January “Students Come First” presentation titled ‘Full-Day Early Learning – Kindergarten Program’ was received by Trustees. Natalie Northway, Kindergarten Teacher, and Mike Lawrence, Early Childhood Educator (ECE), run a Full-Day Early Learning – Kindergarten Program (FDELKP) class at Sioux Mountain Public School in Sioux Lookout. Trustees heard how Northway and Lawrence engage their students in learning by focusing on the interests of the students and turning the exploration of those interests into learning experiences. As one of twenty teacher-ECE teams currently teaching in our FDELKP classrooms, Northway and Lawrence stressed the importance of having both of them in the classroom, working together as a team. Northway stated “Together, we provide our students with a warm, caring and calm environment where our students can feel safe to explore and not be afraid to try new things. We are a true team as Mike brings out my strengths and I bring out his.” The KPDSB’s Kindergarten Registration Week is January 27-31, 2014.

Richard Hodgkinson, Alternative Learning and Adult Education Administrator, presented the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board (SLAAMB) and KPDSB Adult Education report. In partnership with the SLAAMB, we have piloted an adult education delivery project for adult learners in Sioux Lookout and Treaty 9 wanting to upgrade to college level English and Math, or to pursue a high school diploma. The project began in August 2013 and will run until March 2014. A total of 40 adult learners are participating in the program which consists of both face-to-face and technology enabled teaching and tutoring. The KPDSB partnership with SLAAMB is expected to continue into 2014-15, given the success of the program to date.

Clinton Bruetsch, Principal of Beaver Brae Secondary School in Kenora, presented the Beaver Brae Secondary School 7-12 update. The 2013-14 school year saw big changes for Beaver Brae with the implementation of a new grades 7-12 model. 150 Grade 7 and 8 students moved into the previously grades 9-12 school following an extensive consultation and planning process during the 2012-13 school year. Using a ‘school within a school’ concept, administration and staff dedicated a wing of the school to the Grade 7 and 8 students along with a separate timetable from the senior students that allowed for unique programming opportunities.

Having the grades 7 and 8 students in the school allows them to participate in specialized learning in specialized classrooms that they would not have had access to in elementary school, such as science labs, music and art classrooms, and shop classes. Also available to the Grade 7 and 8 students are newly created Academy courses they can choose from based on their own interests. The Academy program currently offers opportunities in art, music, technology, journalism, family studies, personal fitness, team sports and French culture, all of which include experiential (out of school) learning opportunities. Bruetsch informed Trustees that the response from students, their families and staff has been overwhelmingly positive and believes the increased engagement of students will be positively reflected in attendance and behavioural data come the end of the school year. Trustees and administration commended Bruetsch and his staff for a successful transition of the 7-12 model at BBSS.

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, presented the Kenora Education Centre Relocation update. Work is underway with the Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) to explore the relocation of the KPDSB’s Kenora Board Office from its current location on First Ave West in Norman to the fourth floor of Manidoo Baawaatig (formerly Lakewood Public School). Current plans may see the Kenora Board Office relocated over the summer of 2014 and in its new location for the start of the 2014-15 school year.

Monteith also commented on recent drinking water violations imposed on the KPDSB by the Ministry of the Environment for reporting and employee certification infractions at Savant Lake Public School and Upsala Public School. Monteith assured Trustees that at no time was the drinking water at either school compromised and that new procedures have been put in place.

Monteith stated “The January regular board meeting was highly school-based with several very successful presentations. From the new 7-12 model at Beaver Brae in Kenora and our partnership with SLAAMB in Sioux Lookout, to early learning in classrooms across the system and a presentation from a member of our Parent Involvement Committee in Dryden, it provided a Kindergarten to adult perspective of learning, and a true regional perspective and flavor of the KPDSB.”

December Board Meeting Highlights

Media Release - December 12, 2013

Trustees met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, for the inaugural board meeting of the 2014 calendar year.

The Board of Trustees maintained consistency and direction by acclaiming Trustee Dave Penney as Chair and Trustee Cecile Marcino as Vice-Chair.

Shelley Boucha was welcomed to the board as First Nation Trustee. In accordance with Policy 206 – An Individual on the Board to Represent the Interests of First Nation Students – Boucha will sit with the board for a two year term. She will also be an active member of the Board’s Native Education Advisory Council (NEAC) and Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC).

Penney welcomed Boucha on behalf of Trustees “We welcome Shelley to our Board and look forward to working with her. I believe she will be a good fit and will work hard to represent the interests of our First Nation students and their families.”

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, added “Shelley brings with her a wealth of experience, including being a member of both elementary and secondary school councils at KPDSB schools, and is a welcomed addition to the Board.”

The following Trustee appointments were made:

Trustees Barb Gauthier, George Seaton and Robert Onysko were appointed to the Audit and Finance Committees for a one year term.
Trustees Bob O’Donohue and Robert Onysko were appointed to the Native Education Advisory Council (NEAC) for a one year term. First Nation Trustee Shelley Boucha is appointed to the NEAC for a two year term.
Trustee Gerald Kleist was appointed to the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) Board of Directors.
Trustee Bob O’Donohue was appointed as the alternate to the OPSBA Board of Directors.
Trustee Barb Gauthier was appointed as the OPSBA voting delegate.
Trustee Cecile Marcino was appointed as the OPSBA voting delegate alternate for the General Meeting.
Trustees Dianne Sidders and Michelle Ott were appointed to the Parent Involvement Committee for a one year term.
Trustees Dianne Sidders and David Wilkinson were appointed to the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for a one year term. First Nation Trustee Shelley Boucha is appointed to the SEAC for a two year term.
Trustee Gerald Kleist was appointed to the Transportation Policy Committee.

The December “Students Come First” presentation titled ‘Student Christmas Musical Performance’ was received by Trustees. Dryden High School (DHS) music teacher, Ryan Graham, and the Grade 11/12 Concert Band thrilled Trustees with their performance, which included several upbeat songs that had members of the Board of Trustees and Senior Administration Team singing along.

Caryl Hron, Superintendent of Education, presented the 2014-15 school year calendar. Trustees approved the draft 2014-15 school year calendar and it will be sent to the Ministry of Education for final approval. The calendar was created by a school year calendar committee comprised of the KPDSB and four other area school boards. In preparation for the creation of the school year calendar, we surveyed our staff and families to ask what their preference would be with regards to start and end dates for the school year as well as the scheduling of professional development (PD) days. The results of the survey and the draft 2014-15 school year calendar can be found on our website at www.kpdsb.on.ca or by clicking here.

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, presented the 2013 Director’s Annual Report. The report celebrates the work of our students and staff throughout 2013. Areas of focus include literacy, Aboriginal education, special education, children’s mental health, secondary student achievement, full-day early learning, and 21^st Century learning (21C@KP). To view the 2013 Director’s Annual Report, please visit our website at www.kpdsb.on.ca, or click here. You can also view our Director’s Annual Report and other videos on our YouTube channel by clicking here.

Q104's Ken O'Neil Visits Keewatin Public School's Kindergarten Classroom

School Submission - Submitted by Pazia Dzwonyk

Ken O’Neil came to read to the Kindergarten class at Keewatin Public school. Our students were very excited to be on his blog!

An excerpt from Ken's blog about the visit:

Wednesday morning, I visited Keewatin Public School and met some great children from year 1 and 2 kindergarten. They invited me to read Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester, with illustrations by Lynn Munsinger. A great lesson on bullying! We also had a discussion about the book, and how Wodney Wat's R's sounded like W's.

Sioux Mountain Grade 3 Students Celebrate Pink Week

From Sioux Mountain Public School's Mrs. Hughdie's Class Blog

Sioux Mountain Public School recently celebrated Pink Week. During Pink Week students wear pink to show that positive actions make a difference! In our our art classes the students read books about bullying and had discussions about how they can make a difference here at Sioux Mountain. The grade 3 students created this stop frame animation to spread the message! They have included this link in their video:

https://safeatschool.kpdsb.ca/

This link takes you to the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board’s new bullying reporting portal.

Check out their hardwork!

To view more from Mrs. Hughdie's class blog, please follow this link - http://smpsart.wordpress.com/

Valleyview Public School's Stuff a Cruiser Campaign

School Submission - Submitted by Kate Rickaby

After Ms. Rickaby and Mrs. Grandbois’ FDELK B class worked so hard on creating Christmas ornaments to donate to Project: Christmas Hope for High River in October, it was hard to shake the spirit of giving. We set out to inspire the whole school to work together to Stuff a Cruiser and help the OPP and the Salvation Army provide a happy Christmas to many families. Knowing how proud the class was of the Christmas decorations they shared with the citizens of High River, we were sure that they would be equally eager to help kids and families who just need a little something extra this holiday season.

We had so much fun building our cardboard OPP cruiser which serves as the collection box for the school's donations. The Kenora Stuff a Cruiser event will take place at various locations downtown on Saturday, December 7th. We hope to have a full cruiser to donate in time for that date. We’re almost there and the cruiser is certainly looking stuffed!

Constable Ronni Grosenick of the Kenora OPP paid us a visit on Monday, December 2^nd. She was excited to see our very own Stuff a Cruiser. She is very proud of Valleyview School for all of the wonderful donations and can’t wait to pick up our full cruiser later this week. The OPP even want to use our homemade car for the big event on Saturday.

Thank you, Valleyview, for all your hard work and kindness!

QEDHS's White Ribbon Campaign

School Submission - Submitted by Brittany Nielsen

Students in Queen Elizabeth District High School's Dynamics of Human Relationships (HHD 30) class encountered a unit based on Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships. In doing so they came across the White Ribbon Campaign, which is a campaign that positively engages people, men specifically, to never condone or remain silent about violence against women.

On December 6th, we recognize and remember the 14 women that were murdered at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. These women were victims of a gender based hate crime and we wear white on December 6th to honour them and stand up against negative attitudes towards women.

The students created a video that plays in the foyer at QEDHS and created a banner in which all students can sign that has them vow to end violence against women.

To watch the students' video, please click on the below.

KPDSB implements new Safe Welcome Program at all elementary schools

Media Release - November 29, 2013

Beginning Monday, December 2, 2013, a new Safe Welcome Program will be implemented in all KPDSB elementary schools.

The Safe Welcome Program requires any visitors to our elementary schools to use a buzzer system to gain entry to the building. The video intercom system allows school administrative assistants in the main office to see who is at the front door as well as speak with them over an intercom to identify them before allowing access into the building. New signage has been installed at the main doors of each of our elementary schools notifying the public of the change.

The installation of the video intercom systems, funded by the Ministry of Education, began in the summer of 2013. While some of our schools have been using the video intercom systems since September, the systems are being implemented board-wide on December 2.

Shelley St. Hilaire, Safe and Supportive Schools Principal, said “With the Safe Welcome Program and other Safe Schools initiatives such as our new anonymous, online bullying reporting tool, we continue to ensure that safety, for both students and staff, is our number one priority.”

Gallery