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KPDSB and Onigaming First Nation create partnership

Joint Media Release - October 11, 2013

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) and Onigaming First Nation are pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Grindrod as Principal of Mikinaak Onigaming School in Nestor Falls, Ontario.

Grindrod, who was Vice-Principal at Beaver Brae Secondary School in Kenora, has been seconded to Onigaming First Nation for a two year term beginning on Monday, September 23. The school, with an enrolment of 125 students and a staff of 20, provides education for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Grindrod stated “I am very much looking forward to beginning in my new role at Mikinaak Onigaming School. Every student at Mikinaak needs and deserves the same opportunities as every other student across the province and I will work with the families and community members of Onigaming First Nation to ensure every student in the school is provided with opportunities to succeed.”

Kathy Kishiqueb, Chief of Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, states “We are pleased with our new partnership with Keewatin-Patricia District School Board. As Council we believe an investment in our children is a vital investment in our community and future. Our Goal and Plan is to create a sustainable Onigaming based education system for our children and community. We realize at the end of this two-year partnership we will have achieved an enhanced Academic and Anishnaabe based education system.”

Sean Monteith, Director of Education for the KPDSB, stated “We continue to strive towards initiating and enhancing strong partnerships with our neighboring Aboriginal communities. The appointment of Steve demonstrates the high regard our Aboriginal partners have in the KPDSB’s work.”

Dave Penney, Board Chair for the KPDSB, added “We congratulate Steve on his appointment. It’s an appointment that represents a unique partnership between the KPDSB and Onigaming First Nation and we wish him and the students and staff of Mikinaak Onigaming School the very best.”

Grindrod began his teaching career in the early 1980s at a private school in Toronto. In 1982, he accepted a job with the former Red Lake Board of Education teaching math and science at Red Lake District High School. He accepted his first school administration position in 1990 as vice-principal of North Hastings High School in Bancroft, Ontario before returning to Northwestern Ontario in 1997 as vice-principal of Beaver Brae Secondary School in Kenora where he has had the opportunity to work with area students for more than 15 years.

Grindrod’s passion for Aboriginal Education began early in his career during his years in Red Lake and was strengthened during his years at Beaver Brae. He is a strong advocate for supporting community traditions and values while ensuring a safe and supportive environment were students feel included. He brings with him an extensive background in crisis management, suicide prevention and education, restorative justice, and community outreach.

Crolancia students get their hands dirty for a good cause

School Submission - Submitted by Jason MacMillan

As Crolancia Secondary School students rolled out of bed Saturday morning expecting to offer their hands in washing cars, cooking hot dogs and hamburgers and selling raffle tickets, they were surprised to witness something that is quite common in Northwestern, Ontario; snow. As the snow began to drop the school contemplated cancelling our second annual car wash and BBQ as Mother Nature did not want to cooperate. Shortly after the light snowfall our good friend the sun appeared and immediately started to warm the cool, dense air.

These dedicated secondary school students were volunteering their time on Saturday September 21^st from 12:00pm to 4:00pm to help raise funds for school programming. Since we often travel distance up to 400 kilometres each way, the support of fundraising is an essential part of our extra-curricular participation in sport.

Upwards to eight secondary school students were volunteering at a given time washing cars, cooking burgers and hot dogs and even selling raffle tickets for a signed Dion Phanuef Jersey. Tickets are still available at $10 per ticket. Contact Mr. MacMillan at Crolancia School if you are interested.

Students, staff and community volunteers help raise $600 to put towards travel expenses, equipment and school clothing during this year’s activities. Crolancia Secondary School will be looking to participate in the following sports this year:

The Red Lake Road Run
Track and Field Meet in Dryden

We would like to take this time to thank all of our sponsors and volunteers for their ongoing support during these activities. A special thank you goes out to Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment for the very generous donation of a signed Dion Phaneuf Leafs Jersey. This new addition to our fundraising created lots of talk around Pickle Lake and the surrounding communities.

2013 EQAO Grade 9 Mathematics and OSSLT Results

Media Release - September 25, 2013

On September 25, 2013, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released the results of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). The assessment evaluates the reading and writing skills students are expected to have acquired in all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Successful completion of the OSSLT, or a related literacy course, is a requirement for students to receive their high school diplomas.

Overall, the percentage of fully participating, first-time eligible students who were successful across the KPDSB in 2013 was 64%, a slight decrease from 2012.

Also released today are the Grade 9 mathematic assessment results for 2012-2013.

Of participating students in the Grade 9 mathematics assessment, 33% of applied students are achieving at or above the provincial standard, an increase of one percentage point from 2011-2012. In academic mathematics, the percentage of participating students achieving at or above the provincial standard remained at 77%, no change from the 2011-2012 results.

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, said “While we recognize that some of the provincial trends also reflect our local Board results we equally recognize that student success for individual students is much more global in nature. The KPDSB’s graduation rate remains exceptionally strong and reflects successful completion of provincial literacy requirements by the majority of our students.”

First Annual North West Run for Diabetes at Crolancia Public School

School Submission - Submitted by Tim McKillop

Students from Crolancia Public School in Pickle Lake turned out in large numbers for the North West’s Run for Diabetes on September 7, 2013. The runners, joggers and walkers participated in either a 2.5K Kids Fun Run, a 5K Walk or a 5K Run as part of this new annual event created by the Northern Store in partnership with the Canadian Diabetes Association.

For many of the students and teachers diabetes is a disease that hits close to home.

“My uncle has diabetes.” replied Allisandra Bottle, a grade 3 student at Crolancia Public School, when asked why she was participating in the event. “There are lots of people in my family with it.” she went on to say.

Sebastian McKillop in the Grade 7 class said, “It’s important for me to be here because diabetes is a terrible disease that affects many people living in the northern communities.”

Jessica Allen, the school’s grade 4, 5 and 6 teacher said “I was so proud that half my class came out to take part in the Kid’s Run.”

Organizers of the event were very pleased with the turnout. Each participant received a t-shirt, medal and pre and post-race healthy snacks.

David Lui, the North West Company’s Director of Marketing Services stated that, “When we were looking at ways to contribute to the communities we serve; we wanted to find a fun activity that the entire community would want to participate in while at the same time promoting healthy living,”

97 Northern Communities ran for the cause this past weekend. The 2013 Run for Diabetes kicked off on May 18th in Inuvik, NT.

2012-2013 EQAO Results

Media Release - September 18, 2013

On September 18, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released the results of the 2012-2013 primary and junior assessments in reading, writing and mathematics.

Primary (Grade 3) assessments show an increase in the number of participating students achieving at or above the provincial standard (level 3 or 4) in mathematics, while reading and writing assessments of participating students for the KPDSB show a decrease from the results of 2011-2012. Of students writing the assessments, 53% in reading (down 2 percentage points), 56% in writing (down 5 percentage points), and 56% in mathematics (up 6 percentage points) are achieving at or above the provincial standard.

Junior (Grade 6) assessments saw decreases in reading, writing and mathematics assessments from 2011-2012. Of students writing the assessments (participating students), 68% in reading (down 4 percentage points), 60% in writing (down 4 percentage points), and 42% in mathematics (down 7 percentage points) are achieving at or above the provincial standard.

As the KPDSB continues to work to put student needs first, a new EQAO action plan to support our students and teaching staff has been implemented. Highlights of the plan include a primary focus on reading and comprehension, additional Guided Reading training for all primary teachers and principals, monthly reporting by primary teachers on every child in their classrooms reading progress, a junior focus on language and math, and the use of intervention teachers for students not at their reading benchmarks. The annual Board Strategic Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BSIP), as well as all School Improvement Plans (SIPs) will also have dedicated EQAO action plans embedded into them.

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, stated “While the provincial trends are reflective of our local results, we recognize that there is much work to do in these areas. We also recognize that student success and achievement looks very different than the measurements recorded in these assessment results. We continue to put the individual needs of our children first and foremost and we always will.”

September 2013 Board Meeting Highlights

Media Release - September 11, 2013

Trustees met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, for a regular board meeting.

The September Good News Story presentation titled ‘Kids Will Come First’ was received by Trustees. Sheena Valley, Communications Assistant and Website Administrator, shared the progress of the implementation of the Board’s new Vision Statement with Trustees. The new Vision Statement – All stakeholders create a culture of learning so that students come first – was a result of the Board of Trustees’ creation of the Board’s new five-year Strategic Plan during the 2012-13 school year. In addition to adding the Vision Statement to the Board’s visual identity, the KPDSB created a video involving staff and students that focused on how and why staff in our schools put students first. The response to the video from staff has been profound and has indicated a sense of pride and teamwork in our schools that we have not seen in previous years. KPDSB staff at all levels, including teachers, administrative assistants, librarians, education assistants, early childhood educators, coaches and even school volunteers are working together to ensure students come first. To view the new Strategic Plan, please visit our website at www.kpdsb.on.ca and click on 2013-2018 Strategic Plan or click here.

Caryl Hron, Superintendent of Education, and Ann McDonald, Early Years Lead, presented the Early Learning Lead/Full Day Kindergarten report. Research has shown that children’s early learning experiences have a significant effect on their development and their future well-being. Research has also shown the positive effect of high quality learning in the early years. This impact is not only directly related to students’ academic success in their school career, but on their likelihood to graduate, and on their lives as adults. Recognizing this, the Ministry of Education has implemented a new Early Years Lead position at school boards. Fifteen of our schools currently offer full-day Kindergarten with over 500 students registered in those programs. During the 2012-13 school year the KPDSB created a goal that every student coming out of Kindergarten would be reading and 92% of our students reached that goal by June 2013 (the 8% of students who did not reach the goal will receive additional support to help them with their literacy skills). The same goal has been set for the 2013-14 school year and we look forward to having our youngest learners achieve this goal.

Theresa Lambert, Elementary Student Work Study Teacher (SWST), and Lisa Achilles and Trina Campbell, Secondary SWSTs, presented the Student Work Study Teacher report. The SWST initiative is a research-based approach that involves a SWST working in classrooms with the sole purpose of documenting how students tackle and interact with curriculum tasks. Through the classroom observations, the SWST and the classroom teacher are able to identify precise student needs, student misconceptions, student perceptions and attitudes, as well as what students can (and cannot) do. The SWST and classroom teacher take a team approach and work to create a safe and collaborative learning environment where students, in particular disengaged students, feel empowered and are able to articulate their thinking in a classroom setting, something that can be intimidating to some students. The results of the initiative have shown increased confidence in participating students and a high level of cooperation between students and their peers.

Caryl Hron, Superintendent of Education, Joan Kantola, Superintendent of Education, Scott Urquhart, Student Success Leader, and Susanne Bastable, School Effectiveness Lead, presented the 2013-2014 Board Strategic Improvement Plan (BSIP) for Student Achievement. The BSIP outlines the Board’s actions for student achievement each year and is reviewed annually. Members of the Senior Administration team visit each school in the board to meet with staff to gather feedback on the current BSIP and discuss priorities and strategies for the upcoming school year’s plan. The plan is also discussed with additional stakeholders including the Board’s Native Education Advisory Council (NEAC), the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), and the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC). The BSIP provides the basis for all School Improvement Plans which are also revised annually.

The 2013-14 BSIP focuses on three priority areas:

We practice in a 21^st Century culture of learning (21C@KP).
We use an integrated instruction and assessment model based on strategies contained in ‘Growing Success’.
We use intervention strategies for any student not achieving success.

For more information on our BSIP, please visit our website at www.kpdsb.on.ca or click here.

Kim Carlson, Facilities Manager, presented the Valleyview Public School Full-Day Kindergarten Capital Project update. Construction of the full-day Kindergarten classrooms at Valleyview Public School in Kenora continues and several steps of the construction have been completed including a new parking lot south of the building and the relocation of portable classrooms, as well as the installation of temporary barricades in the bus loading area. To date, Valleyview’s Kindergarten enrolment sits at 73 students, one of our largest Kindergarten cohorts this school year (Open Roads Public School in Dryden also sits at 73 students), including 24 students in the new French Immersion Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten classroom.

Carlson also presented the Minor Capital Projects update. Over the summer months, the Facilities Department managed and completed a number of projects while planning and designing projects that were approved for the 2013-14 school year. Highlights of the projects include alterations to the new grade 7/8 wing and tunnel at Beaver Brae Secondary School in Kenora, the new track at Dryden High School, new playground equipment with shade structures and rubber surfacing at a handful of elementary schools, and a new Cultural room at Sioux Mountain Public School in Sioux Lookout. To view details of these and many more projects currently underway or planned by the Facilities Department, including construction timelines and photos and videos, please visit our website at www.kpdsb.on.ca under ‘Departments’ and ‘Facilities’ and ‘Minor Capital Projects’ or click here.

2013 Red Lake Road Run

School Submission - Submitted by Aileen Yakiwchuk

Greetings Running and Walking Enthusiasts!

The 2013 Red Lake Road Run will take place on Sunday, September 29^th, 2013. Mark your calendars!

We are piloting an online registration form this year. Unfortunately, payment will not be online (let’s hope that it will be available for our 2014 event!). You will have to mail or drop off payment to the high school. To access the online registration form, click here or go to our school webpage athttp://rldhs.kpdsb.on.ca/ and click on ‘The Red Lake Road Run’ on the left menu bar. If you choose to use the online registration form, you will need to sign a waiver when you pick up your registration package on race day.

Early bird registration fees apply for registrations submitted (payment as well) by August 1^st, 2013. After that, the price increases in all events and categories. We cannot guarantee that you will receive an event t-shirt if you do not register by September 6^th.

Remember that all proceeds go to the RLDHS Athletics program.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

We are promoting pets on the course this year – but we are asking that they be on a leash and that you start behind the ‘pack’.

June Board Meeting Highlights

Media Release - June 18, 2013

Trustees met at Lakewood Public School in Kenora on Tuesday, June 11, 2013, for a regular board meeting.

The June Seeds for the Future – Celebrating our Stars presentation titled ‘Celebrating Lakewood’ was received by Trustees. Lynn McAughey, Principal, and Jason McDonald, Vice-Principal, shared videos created by Lakewood students about the history of Lakewood and the Lakewood Fine Arts Band performed a song they wrote for the Trustees. Lakewood Public School will close at the end of the 2012-13 school year and celebrations are being held at the school on Tuesday, June 18. Please contact Lakewood Public School for more information at 468-3131.

Sean Monteith, Superintendent of Education, presented the KPDSB 2013-2018 Strategic Plan. Following an extensive consultation process that included school and board office staff, community partners, and students and their families, the new five-year plan was approved by Trustees. A new vision statement ‘All stakeholders create a culture of learning so that students come first’ was the driving force behind the new plan, and the mission and goals were revamped to reflect our focus on supporting the whole student, accepting all students, and ensuring students are always put first. To view the entire plan, please visit our website at www.kpdsb.on.caand click on 2013-2018 Strategic Plan or follow this link - http://www.kpdsb.on.ca/SiteAdmin_PDF/2013-18%20Strategic%20Plan%20-%20FINAL.pdf.

Monteith stated “The 2013-2018 Strategic Plan represents our organization’s coming of age, and recognition that the leadership from our teachers and staff is evident in the KPDSB’s priorities. The KPDSB accepts the challenges that lie ahead willingly, and recognizes the powerful role it plays in the lives of so many in our region.”

Caryl Hron, Superintendent of Education, Sean Monteith, Superintendent of Education, Scott Urquhart, Student Success Leader, and Susanne Bastable, School Effectiveness Lead, presented the Board Strategic Improvement Plan (BSIP) for Student Achievement update. The impact of BSIP has been evident in schools this year and has helped the KPDSB to stay focused, rethink what it means to educate in a rapidly changing world, and support staff in becoming responsible for their own learning. An important area of focus has been ensuring our students know there are adults in the building who care about them, and the work surrounding improving partnerships between teachers and students will continue in the 2013-14 school year.

Sean Monteith, Superintendent of Education, presented the Beaver Brae Secondary School (BBSS) 7-12 Program update. One year after Trustees voted to adopt a grades 7-12 model at Beaver Brae, they were given an update on the transition planning. Led by Clinton Bruetsch, Principal of Beaver Brae, the BBSS transition team - made up of parents, elementary and secondary teachers and school administration, Kenora area Trustees, and students - developed a structure for the transition that looked at activities for student visitations to BBSS, mock timetables, program planning, and staffing. The addition of Bob Kowal to the BBSS administration team, through a partnership with Seven Generations Education Institute, will add additional support to the administration team at BBSS with a focus on supporting and engaging our Aboriginal students. Administration at BBSS has assured Trustees that the school is ready for the students and staff for the 2013-14 school year.

Board Chair, Dave Penney, stated “It’s clear that a lot of hard work went into the preparation for the change at Beaver Brae which would not have been an easy task. We look forward to everything the team has done for our students and we know that they will have an extraordinary year at Beaver Brae next year.”

Sean Monteith, Superintendent of Education, and Joan Kantola, currently Principal at Valleyview Public School, presented the Valleyview Public School French Immersion update. In June 2012, Trustees voted to implement a new French Immersion program at Valleyview following consultations with families in the Kenora area. As of June 11, there are currently 21 students registered in the French Immersion Full-Day Early Learning – Kindergarten Program (FDELKP) class at Valleyview which will be offered along with two English FDELKP classes. The new French Immersion FDELKP is ready to start in August 2013 with a French qualified Kindergarten teacher and French early childhood educator. Major capital renovations and enhancements at the school will begin during the summer months and include the addition of two new Kindergarten classrooms. Shannon Bailey, currently a teacher at Valleyview Public School, has been appointed as acting vice-principal at Valleyview and will join Jason McDonald who will be the Principal after he takes over from Joan Kantola who will step into the Superintendent of Education role for the 2013-14 school year.

Dean Carrie, Superintendent of Business, presented the 2013-14 Budget report. Trustees approved an $83.6 million budget for the 2013-2014 school year. For more information, please contact Dean Carrie at (807) 468-5571.

BBSS Special Education Department Class Trip

School Submission - Submitted by Deborah Allan and Kim Remus

The Beaver Brae Special Education Department went on a class trip to the Winnipeg Zoo this month. Through their Life Skills program, students learned to manage and deliver a weekly paper route with The Daily and Miner News. The money raised was put towards their field trip to the zoo. This work experience will also lead into paid summer employment for one of our students when he takes over the route this summer.

Five KPDSB schools attain EcoSchools certification

Media Release - June 4, 2013

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is pleased to announce that five of our schools have attained Ontario EcoSchools Certification for the work they have done throughout the 2012-2013 school year. The schools are as follows:

Beaver Brae Secondary School in Kenora
Dryden High School in Dryden
Golden Learning Centre in Balmertown
Lakewood Public School in Kenora
Upsala Public School in Upsala

EcoSchools certification recognizes a school for its annual achievement in four key areas: energy conservation, waste minimization, ecological literacy and school ground greening. Every year, schools must successfully complete a certification application and provide documents to support their application.

Of the five KPDSB schools, both Lakewood Public School and Golden Learning Centre are established EcoSchools that have certified for their second and third year respectively. Beaver Brae Secondary School and Dryden High School were able to embed the Ontario EcoSchools program into their curriculum to become the first KPDSB secondary schools to be EcoSchools certified, and Upsala PS, with their ongoing environmental initiatives, has become one of the smallest schools in Ontario to be awarded certification in the EcoSchools program.

Kathy Boone, Environmental Education Curriculum Special Assignment Teacher, said “The Ontario EcoSchools certification program has provided KPDSB schools with a formal way to promote, practice, and recognize environmental stewardship within school culture. Students, teachers and support staff in all five EcoSchools are green leaders within our board; they are role models who will inspire others to make our environment a priority.”

Jack McMaster, Director of Education, added “I am so pleased to see more of our schools becoming EcoSchool certified. Congratulations to all our EcoSchools and also to Kathy Boone whose work in her role as Environmental Education SAT has positively impacted our staff, students, and ultimately, society.”

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