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KPDSB implements mental health and addiction nurse programs

Media Release - November 19, 2013

The KPDSB is pleased to announce two new Mental Health and Addiction Nurse (MHAN) Programs are now in place at both Queen Elizabeth District High School in Sioux Lookout and Red Lake District High School.

The role of the MHANs is to provide short-term assessment, treatment planning, and stabilization services to students experiencing mental health crises or suspected psychiatric or substance abuse issues. The MHANs will also support our students with hospital to school transitions and medication management needs. Arranging for additional supports from community partners is also critical to the MHAN’s role.

We wish to welcome both Jeanna Faykes (QEDHS) and Samantha Daigle (RLDHS) to our schools and we thank them for the invaluable supports they provide to our students.

Lisa Doerksen, Mental Health Leader for the KPDSB, said “The Mental Health and Addiction Nurse Program is an excellent resource to provide timely access of support to vulnerable youth in our schools who may be struggling with mental health and addictions concerns.”

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, added “Recognizing that mental health and addiction issues are often linked and particularly prevalent in the Northwest, the KPDSB has tried to take direct aim at those areas that we feel need the most direct intervention. We welcome both Jeanna and Samantha to our team.”

Background

The MHAN program is one of 22 initiatives related to the Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions Strategy – Open Minds Healthy Minds. The MHANs are funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and are hired through the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) who oversee the management and operation of the program.

KPDSB launches anonymous bullying reporting tool in recognition of Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

Media Release - November 18, 2013

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is November 17-23, 2013. While the work that happens in our schools surrounding bullying awareness and prevention is ongoing throughout the school year, we recognize the importance of acknowledging and celebrating this week with our students.

At the KPDSB, we know that bullying hurts everyone and our staff are committed to making sure that all of our students feel safe and welcome at all times. This includes being caring adults for our students, teaching them about good character development, including bullying prevention wherever possible in daily classroom teachings, emphasizing the importance of healthy relationships, and utilizing restorative practices to help rebuild relationships.

In recognition of Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, we have launched a new, online, anonymous bullying reporting tool through our Board and school websites. This tool will allow students, their families, and community members to let us know when they see something they are concerned about. Individuals are not required to give their name or any identifying information to make a report. We encourage everyone, if you see something, say something! Please click here or go to https://safeatschool.kpdsb.ca. The site is mobile compatible.

Shelley St. Hilaire, Safe and Supportive Schools Principal, said “Our schools use imbedded processes and strategies, such as Restorative Practices and Character Development, to foster positive, safe, learning and teaching environments in order to support all of our students. Bullying awareness and prevention focus on what constitutes bullying, as well as helping students know where to turn for help if they experience or know about acts of bullying. Bullying awareness and prevention is not a one week per year event - it is an ongoing initiative within each of our schools and school communities.”

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, added “The matter of bullying continues to gain both local and national attention, as it should. Bullying is a scourge that negatively impacts not only children but their families as well and our energies to address it will be relentless until every one of our kids feels safe and protected. I would like to extend a special thank you to Todd Desautels and the team at Dryden High School for their initiation of the creation of an anonymous reporting tool for our students.”

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week in KPDSB Schools

Many of our schools are participating in Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week activities, below are just a few examples.

Red Lake District High School – A ‘Wear Pink Day’ is planned for Thursday, November 21 with the homeroom wearing the most pink receiving breakfast sandwiches from Tim Hortons. RLDHS will also host a school assembly on Thursday as well as a ‘Pay it Forward’ giveaway throughout the week where teachers who see or hear students participating in acts of kindness can reward them with a gift.

Ear Falls Public School – The school will have daily activities with the theme of bullying prevention and awareness. Some of those activities include a crazy sock day for ‘Putting a Sock on Bullying Day’ on Monday, November 18, ‘Wear Pink Day’ on Wednesday, November 20, school assemblies, and graffiti walls around the school where students can write how they feel about a variety of topics. A letter will also be sent home to the families of students with resources for bullying awareness and prevention.

Golden Learning Centre Public School (Balmertown) – GLC will host a ‘Wear Pink Day’ on Wednesday, November 20. The school will also have daily morning announcements focusing on the key role of the bystander in bullying situations as research shows that bystanders who speak up decrease the verbal attacks made by a bully. The school library will have books available as anti-bullying resources and the school will be displaying students’ anti-bullying artwork throughout the school.

Lillian Berg Public School (Vermilion Bay) – Lillian Berg will hold a ‘Wear Pink Day’ on Wednesday, November 20, as well as an anti-bullying dance after school (3:10-4:30 pm). The school will also have teachers and other school staff keeping an eye out for students who do something nice for their peers to enter their name in a draw for a prize at the end of the week. Student leaders will read messages on the morning announcements each day that focus on the bully, the bullied, the bystander, and the brave.

Keewatin Public School – Anti-bullying presentations will be made for all classrooms (put on by Officer Ronnie Groesnick). The school will also host community building activities for all students that will focus on building an inclusive environment, developing and fostering leadership skills, and promoting friendships between the students through fun and active activities.

King George VI Public School (Kenora) – King George will host a student-based assembly on anti-bullying awareness on Thursday, November 21 (11:45 am). The assembly will include songs, poems, skits, and media clips all based on this year’s theme ‘Stand Up!’ to bullying. There will also be guest speakers from FIREFLY who will speak to students about maintaining positive relationships and responding to bullying behavior. All members of the school community are invited to attend.

KPDSB looks at closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal student graduation rates

Media Release - November 14, 2013

Student success activities at the KPDSB continue to expand. The Student Success Strategy 7-12 focuses on providing professional learning supports for teachers to improve instruction, providing direct and indirect supports for students, and building and supporting innovative and engaging programming opportunities for students.

Key student success strategies for the KPDSB have been identified as improvements in instruction for teachers (particularly for students in applied and college streams), wrap around supports for students including student success teachers and student counselors (including mental health supports), engaging and relevant pathway programing (such as specialized programs and experiential learning programs), and a culture of caring and support for all students.

Another area of student success includes graduation rates analysis and reporting. In past years, the KPDSB has reported on overall graduation rates as well as graduation rates for self-identified Aboriginal students. All graduation reports are based on our ‘cohort students’ meaning students that are with us from September 30^th of their Grade 9 year until graduation. The graduation rates for all cohort students in the 2012-13 school year are 75% for four year graduates and 82% for five year graduates. The graduation rates for cohort self-identified Aboriginal students are 55% for four year graduates and 69% for five year graduates. Graduation rates for cohort non-Aboriginal students are 83% for four year graduates and 89% for five year graduates.

417 students, cohort and non-cohort, received their OSSD in 2013, 114 students self-identified as First Nation, Metis or Inuit. We also had 44 adults graduate from the Adult Education program we offer through a partnership with Seven Generations Institute which was a significant increase from previous years (adult students do not self-identify).

Scott Urquhart, Student Success Leader, said “We are honoured at Keewatin-Patricia to serve First Nation pupils and their families. Reporting both self-identified Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal graduation rates helps all of us within the KPDSB, and our communities, to collectively focus on improving the graduation rate for First Nation students. This is and will continue to be a priority for us in Keewatin-Patricia and we are truly committed to this improvement.”

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, added “As we report our results that look at specifically, our graduation rates between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students, we recognize this is a departure from traditional reporting. There is a gap that exists, we are publically acknowledging that. We now know that when we have students that stay with us for prolonged periods of time…they graduate. We need all of our students to come to us early, and to stay with us, without moving. We need this so our staff and teachers can work their magic.”

November 2013 Board Meeting Highlights

Media Release - November 13, 2013

Trustees met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, for a regular board meeting.

The November “Students Come First” presentation (formerly called Good News Story) titled ‘Creating Cultures of Learning where Students Come First at Beaver Brae Secondary School’ was received by Trustees. Eveline O’Flaherty and Lisa Achilles, vice-principals at Beaver Brae Secondary School (BBSS) in Kenora, and a group of BBSS students, shared their experiences with the new grade 7-12 model at Beaver Brae (prior to the 2013-14 school year, Beaver Brae followed a 9-12 model). Students in grades 7 and 8 highlighted their experiences so far, including how the new model has provided them with more opportunities for learning with specialized teachers in areas they have an interest in, as well as being able to participate in a variety of new extracurricular activities they would not have previously had access to in elementary schools. Students also indicated they have enjoyed meeting new classmates and making new friends. Senior students admitted that while they initially had some concerns about having the younger grades in the school, once the students arrived, those concerns disappeared. They indicated that having the grades 7 and 8 students in the school has been a good experience and that they have increased school spirit in the building.

Scott Urquhart, Student Success Leader, and Del Schmucker, Information Systems (IS) Manager, presented the 21^st Century Technology and Learning update. At the beginning of the 2012-13 school year, we rolled out the first wave of our 21^st Century Technology for Teaching and Learning Plan. The plan saw wireless infrastructure installed in all of our schools, the purchase of netbook laptops for teachers and all students in grades 4-12, the purchase of a minimum one iPad for every four students in Kindergarten to Grade 3, as well as mobile laptop labs for every Grade 3 class to assist in the transition to Grade 4. Touch-screen technology white boards, or SMART Boards, are being installed in more and more classrooms and the KPDSB has set a goal to have a SMART Board in every elementary classroom this school year.

We continue to move forward to build and implement the vision of a 21^st Century learning organization (also known by our staff as 21C@KP). Highlights of work happening include the use of curriculum technology teachers to support staff in leveraging technology to support curriculum and high quality instruction, consultations with Aboriginal communities to help us better understand how 21C@KP can support Aboriginal students and further engage their families, and the creation of a common, collaborative sharing platform for teaching staff that will allow for seamless communication and promote collaboration between teachers. Work also continues in our schools to both support and increase staff use of technology and the use of technology to further enable parent/guardian involvement.

Joan Kantola, Superintendent of Education, presented the 2013-14 Special Education Plan. The Special Education Plan focuses on supporting and enhancing an inclusionary model of special education within the KPDSB. We pride ourselves on being a system that puts students first and accepts every student, and their families, with the intent to positively impact the lives of our students. The 2013-14 plan maintains a strong focus on identification and interventions to support our students with mental health issues and conditions by providing pathways to care or by implementing appropriate school based supports. The plan also ensures that students will continue to be supported with access to assistive technology devices and applications to support their learning and ultimately improve student achievement outcomes. To view the entire 2013-14 Special Education Plan, please click here.

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, presented the Confederation College Partnership update. The KPDSB and Confederation College are exploring a partnership that could see Confederation College campuses in a number of our secondary schools across the region. We are excited about this opportunity, the benefits it would bring to our students, and look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with Confederation College.

Beaver Brae Students Build Osprey Nesting Platforms for Hydro One

School Submission - Submitted by Chris Hopkins. Written by Todd Smith, Hydro One

With the help of the Beaver Brae Secondary School Grade 12 students we have enough Osprey nesting platforms to complete our F25A and K24F high tension work program.

Under the guidance of BBSS teacher Chris Hopkins, the class just completed another 10 platforms. When picking them up I had an opportunity to explain to the class how successful these platforms were in having the Ospreys relocate to them. They had a lot of questions and were aware of their contribution to the Hydro One work program.

I hope that we can continue this venture with the local school board.

Ignace School Hosts 2013 Career Fair

School Submission - Submitted by George Lotsios

Ignace students from grade seven to twelve attended Ignace School’s 2013 Career Fair on Thursday, November 14. Informal meetings were scheduled with students visiting at least four of the sixteen careers represented by our community partners. Students were prepared with questions to explore the skills, education, and experience required to obtain employment and work in these various career fields.

Ignace School would like to thank the following community partners who took time from their busy schedules to come and share their knowledge and expertise with the students: Evan Stewart from Northshore Aircraft Services, Graham Dunville from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Joanne Armstrong from the Ignace Nursery School, Thia Maurice and Roxanne Cox from Crossroads Employment Services, Jodi Creed Defeo from the Mary Burglund Community Health Centre, Keith Drake from Ignace School, Ajay Jack from Lac Seul Training Centre of Excellence, Jamie Fassett from Cobb Bay Lodge, Charlie Mackey, Sean DeTracey, Brittany Shine and Steve Dunk from the Ignace Ambulance, Brad Greaves from Ignace Airways, Don Cunningham and Darryl Wilson from the Ontario Provincial Police, AJ Kresack from Resolute Sawmill, Debbie Hart from Ignace School, Tanya Koski from the Bending Lake Iron Group, Laura Latus from Ignace School, and Robert Lariviere from Northern Waterworks Incorporated.

These individuals did an amazing job explaining and providing information regarding the career opportunities in our community. They represented all four of the high school pathways: university, college, apprenticeship, and the workplace. A special thank you to Mr. Goudie and his foods and nutrition classes for the great snacks. Congratulations to William Ratthe for winning the prize from Northern Waterworks Incorporated and John-Paul Nelson for winning the prize from Crossroads Employment Services.

Thanksgiving Lunch at Crolancia Public School

School Submission - Submitted by Stephanie Thingstad

Partnering up with local businesses, organizations and community members is an integral part to any successful event.

It is especially vital when organizing a school wide event in a small community, such as Pickle Lake. The idea to host a Thanksgiving Lunch came about as a way to promote families and friends eating together to celebrate and give thanks for health, happiness and hope for a positive future. Our Thanksgiving lunch was held on Thursday October 10th at Crolancia Public School and was attended by approximately 135 people. Everyone enjoyed themselves and had an opportunity to eat a delicious Thanksgiving meal.

We would like to thank everyone in Pickle Lake for supporting and attending the event and we hope to make it an annual school event at Crolancia Public School.

Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day 2013

Media Release - October 30, 2013

The KPDSB wishes to acknowledge the important work of our Early Childhood Educators (ECE) on Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day 2013 (October 30).

Caryl Hron, Superintendent of Education with responsibility for the implementation of the Full-Day Early Learning – Kindergarten Program, stated “The addition of Early Childhood Educators has had a profound effect on our Kindergarten programs and the success of our Kindergarten students. We couldn’t be happier to see the number of ECEs in our schools increasing annually and we know that the expertise they bring with them and the professionalism they display daily in their partnerships with our Kindergarten teachers will only continue to increase positive outcomes for our youngest learners.”

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, added “The effort to accomplish our goals of high success for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) and subsequently the Ontario Secondary School Diploma achievement (OSSD) will not be won at secondary alone, but in our Kindergarten classrooms. The work and intervention needed at the Kindergarten level is that important. The role of our ECEs continues to be a constantly changing one that is being defined with each passing day and we greatly appreciate their dedication.”

October 2013 Board Meeting Highlights

Media Release - October 8, 2013

Trustees met at Upsala Public School on Tuesday, October 8, 2013, for a regular Board Meeting.

The 2013 Summer Learning Report for secondary students was presented. A total of 470 credits were earned during the summer of 2013 by students working towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The number of credits our students earned this past summer is well above the previous year’s total (approximately 350) which represents about 1 in every 5 secondary students taking advantage of summer learning opportunities. The majority of those students are using the summer programs to catch up or recover missing credits or to take additional courses. The summer programs our students are benefiting from include credit recovery, single credit courses through correspondence or e-Learning, summer cooperative (Co-op) education and reach ahead credits for Grade 8 students who will attend secondary school in the fall.

Tracy Lindstrom, Curriculum Administrator, presented the 2013 Summer Learning Report for elementary students. Due to great success with previous summer learning programs, the KPDSB once again expanded the programs that were available from three programs in 2012 to seven in 2013 (five of which were funded by the Ontario Council of Directors of Education or CODE while the KPDSB funded two additional programs). Summer Literacy programs were offered at Evergreen Public School in Kenora, Open Roads Public School in Dryden and Crolancia Public School in Pickle Lake. New for the summer of 2013 was a First Nation, Metis and Inuit Summer Literacy program at Ear Falls Public School, and a Summer Numeracy Program that was offered at Ear Falls Public School in Ear Falls and New Prospect Public School in Dryden. The programs were open to students in grades 1-3 and of those students who participated in the program, 90% either maintained or increased their literacy or numeracy skills.

2013-14 Capital Priorities and Enrolment

Media Release - October 8, 2013

Trustees of the KPDSB reaffirmed their commitment to two capital project priorities. The Board’s first priority is to build a replacement school for Queen Elizabeth DHS in Sioux Lookout. The second priority is to complete a renovation and addition at Valleyview PS in Kenora. Updated business cases for the two projects will be submitted to the Ministry of Education by the end of October 2013.

Dean Carrie, Superintendent of Business, presented the 2013 Enrolment Report at the October 8, 2013 board meeting held at Upsala Public School.

As of September 30, 2013, total enrolment of KPDSB students was 5,052. Many of our schools have experienced increased enrolments that have brought the total number of students in the schools well above the projected or budgeted number of pupils for the 2013-14 school-year. Some of the highlights are below:

Valleyview Public School in Kenora has 44 more students than projected, bringing the school’s enrolment to 236 students which is the highest the enrolment of Valleyview has been since the Board’s inception. Both the English and French Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten Programs (FDELKP) have been very successful with a total of 75 Kindergarten students.
Queen Elizabeth District High School (QEDHS) in Sioux Lookout is 31 students above the budgeted figures with 488 students enrolled at the school. The current Grade 12 class at QEDHS is 208 students which could lead to a record number of graduates for the school this year.
Beaver Brae Secondary School is currently 19 students above projected numbers with a total enrolment of 603 students. The Grade 12 class is a total of 242 students which is the largest Grade 12 class in the KPDSB.
Kenora elementary schools have a total of 107 Junior Kindergarten students which is higher than the total enrolments per-grade of Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8 suggesting enrolment is no longer decreasing for the KPDSB.
Open Roads PS in Dryden continues to be the largest elementary school in the Board at 424 pupils. Other elementary schools coming in over budgeted enrolment include Ear Falls PS (+3), Ignace PS (+3), King George VI PS (+7), Lillian Berg PS (+4), Crolancia PS (+4) and Upsala PS (+5).
Secondary schools exceeding budget also included Ignace HS (+6) and Red Lake DHS (+2).

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