Page 9

Elementary Schools Closed to Students on January 11, 2013

Media Release - January 9, 2013

The KPDSB was informed today (January 9, 2013) that on Friday, January 11, 2013, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario’s (ETFO) Keewatin-Patricia Elementary Teachers’ Association (KPETA) Local will stage a one-day political protest.

As a result, all KPDSB elementary schools will be closed to students on Friday, January 11, 2013.

Children in our elementary schools (grades JK – 8) who ride a school bus will not be picked up on Friday. All KPDSB secondary schools will remain open and school bus transportation will be provided as usual for secondary students.

Families of KPDSB elementary students are being directed not to drop their child(ren) off at their school on Friday as there will not be adequate supervision available.

Day care programs that are located in our elementary schools and are operated by a third party will continue to run as usual. Before and after school programs have been cancelled for January 11.

All KPDSB elementary schools will reopen on Monday, January 14, 2013.

December Board Meeting Highlights

Media Release - December 12, 2012

Trustees met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, for the inaugural board meeting of the 2013 calendar year.

Trustee Dave Penney was acclaimed to his ninth term as Chair; while Trustee Cecile Marcino will return as Vice-Chair.

The following Trustee appointments were made:

Trustees Barb Gauthier, George Seaton and Robert Onysko were appointed to the Audit and Finance Committee for a one year term.
Trustees Bob O’Donohue and David Wilkinson were appointed to the Native Education Advisory Council (NEAC) for a one year term. In accordance with Policy 206 - A Representative on the Board to Represent the Interests of First Nation Students - First Nation Trustee Norma Kejick is appointed to the NEAC.
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 Cecile Marcino was appointed as the OPSBA voting delegate.
Trustee Barb Gauthier was appointed as the OPSBA voting delegate alternate for the General Meeting.
Trustees Cecile Marcino 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. In accordance with Policy 206 - A Representative on the Board to Represent the Interests of First Nation Students - First Nation Trustee Norma Kejick is appointed to the SEAC.
Trustee Gerald Kleist was appointed to the Transportation Policy Committee.

The December Good News story presentation titled ‘Explore: Endless Possibilities Program’ was received by Trustees. Syrena Lalonde, Principal of Open Roads Public School in Dryden, explained the new program to Trustees. The program targets at-risk students to increase engagement and decrease truancy rates while focusing on getting students actively involved in their community through culturally oriented, community based activities in the areas of outdoor recreation, sports and the arts. Students are also able to make connections with peers and staff at Dryden High School through the program which will allow them to feel more confident in completing their secondary education. The Explore Program has been very successful to date and the staff at Open Roads have seen a tremendous increase in student engagement. There are currently 65 students enrolled in the program, 57% of those students are self-identified as Aboriginal.

Scott Urquhart, Student Success Leader, presented the 21^st Century Learning Report update. Since our announcement in June to purchase laptops on a one to one basis for students in grades 4-12 in our Board, as well as an iPad for every four students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 and laptops for every teacher, we have been busy rolling out the new technology. Teachers and students across the board area have received their netbooks and iPad technology is now available in every primary classroom. We continue to work to install interactive whiteboard technology in classrooms and are replacing teacher work stations with docking stations for their new netbooks. Our technology support administrator and three technology support teachers continue to support teachers in using the new learning tools and we’ve enlisted the help of our secondary students in cooperative education programs who also provide support with technical issues for students and teachers.

Jack McMaster, Director of Education, presented the 2011-12 Director’s Annual Report. The report details accomplishments of KPDSB students and staff throughout the 2011-12 school year. Areas of focus include literacy, Aboriginal education, special education, children’s mental health, secondary student achievement, and technology for teaching and learning. To view the 2011-12 Director’s Annual Report, please visit our website at www.kpdsb.on.ca or our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com.

Trustees voted to accept an offer from Seven Generations Education Institute to purchase Lakewood Public School. The offer was accepted subject to changes to terms and conditions not including the purchase price of $1.4 million. Trustees also voted to rescind motion #43-12 from January 10, 2012, that set the closure of Evergreen Public School for the end of the 2012-2013 school year and voted to close Lakewood Public School effective the end of the 2012-2013 school year. Evergreen Public School will remain open. We will begin the process of consultation with the families of Lakewood Public School regarding attendance boundary changes and transition planning in the new year.

KPDSB Accepts Seven Generations Offer to Purchase Lakewood PS

Media Release - December 11, 2012

At the inaugural board meeting in Dryden on Tuesday, December 11, Trustees voted to accept an offer from Seven Generations Education Institute to purchase Lakewood Public School. The offer was accepted subject to changes to terms and conditions not including the purchase price of $1.4 million.

Trustees also voted to rescind motion #43-12 from January 10, 2012, that set the closure of Evergreen Public School for the end of the 2012-2013 school year and voted to close Lakewood Public School effective the end of the 2012-2013 school year. Evergreen Public School will remain open.

The KPDSB will begin the process of consultation with the families of Lakewood Public School regarding attendance boundary changes and transition planning in the new year for the 2013-2014 school year.

Jack McMaster, Director of Education, stated “I’d like to thank the families of students attending Lakewood for their patience and understanding throughout this process. We recognize that this will offer more opportunities to these families in the future with post-secondary education options. I am also pleased with the opportunities this progressive initiative will offer for Aboriginal adults with respect to adult and post-secondary education.”

November Board Meeting Highlights

Media Release - November 14, 2012

Trustees met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 for a regular board meeting.

The November Seeds for the Future – Celebrating our Stars presentation titled ‘Strength Based Focus at Ignace School’ was received by Trustees. Brayden Moore, Student Trustee and Ignace Public School student, told Trustees how the school is focusing on identifying and celebrating each student’s individual strengths and skills. Throughout the school, classes have created ‘Strength Walls’ that display each student’s individual strengths for the rest of the staff and students to see. This strength based approach has helped to enhance the overall environment in the school and increase student engagement.

Scott Urquhart, Student Success Leader, presented the 2011-2012 Student Success report. The report, divided into four sections, highlights significant work that took place over the past school year, and the success of our students in those areas. Areas of focus for 2011-2012 were improving instruction, supporting individual at-risk students, improving programming, and student mobility. Much of this work has continued into the 2012-2013 school year. To view the full report, please visit this link 2011-2012 Student Success.

Urquhart also presented the 2012 Secondary Graduation report. The report highlights students’ graduation rates from our secondary schools and includes information for students who complete their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) in four, five or six years. For 2012, our four-year graduation rate for all students is 71%, while the five-year rate is 84%, and the six-year rate is 86%. The four-year graduation rate for our Aboriginal students is 45%, while the five-year rate is 67%, and the six-year rate is 71%. To view the full report, please visit this link 2012 Secondary Graduation.

Tracy Lindstrom, Curriculum Administrator, and Ann McDonald, Curriculum Special Assignment Teacher, presented the Curriculum Assignment Teachers report. The central curriculum support positions play a vital role in the work that happens in classrooms every day. From professional development to programming support, the curriculum positions work closely with staff in our schools and classrooms. They provide support in a wide variety of areas, including curriculum development, literacy, numeracy, Kindergarten programing, French as a Second Language programming, and EQAO.

Trustees also approved the appointment of two new members to the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Michelle Henry, representing Sioux Lookout area schools, and Nicki Zilkalns, representing Dryden area schools, were welcomed by Trustees.

October Board Meeting Highlights

Media Release - October 11, 2012

Trustees met at Red Lake-Madsen Public School on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 for a regular board meeting.

The October Seeds for the Future – Celebrating our Stars presentation titled ‘Making Regalia in a Native Language Classroom’ was received by Trustees. Red Lake-Madsen Public School Native Language teacher, Kate Sakamoto, and a group of her students, told Trustees about the work they have been doing in their Native Language class, including the process for making regalia (powwow outfits). The students worked on their outfits a couple times a week, in many cases, after school hours under the supervision of their teacher. The students said they learned a lot about Native culture while making the dresses and participating in area powwows.

Caryl Hron, Superintendent of Education, presented the 2012 Summer Literacy Learning Program report. During the summer of 2012, the KPDSB offered the Summer Literacy Learning Program at Sioux Mountain Public School in Sioux Lookout, Evergreen Pubic School in Kenora, and New Prospect Public School in Dryden. The program runs for three weeks in the summer months and is offered to students in grades 1-3, with a focus on students thought to be at-risk in their literacy development. Ran by a qualified teacher and a student assistant, the program consists of a balance of both academics and recreation.

For the third year in a row, the program proved to be very successful. Assessments show of the 39 students who participated in the program, 90% of them either maintained or improved their reading levels from June of 2012. That result is an increase of 6 percentage points from last year’s results.

Scott Urquhart, Student Success Leader, presented the 2012 Summer Learning Opportunities for Secondary Students report. Over the summer of 2012, over 350 credits were earned by students across the Board area through a variety of summer programs. Principals in each community build programming based on identified student need, and offer programs such as summer cooperative education, credit recovery, and e-learning or correspondence. Programs are also available to students in Grade 8, called ‘Reach Ahead’ credits, which assist students considered at-risk in staying on track with their credit accumulations at the secondary level.

Sean Monteith, Superintendent of Education presented the 2012-2013 Special Education Plan. The plan is reviewed annually after a thorough consultation process involving school staff, special education staff, the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), community partners, and students and their families. Changes this year include a more focused behavior intervention model, greater support for children’s mental health and awareness at the school and classroom levels, and increased access to assistive technology devices. For more details or to view the entire plan, please visit our website at www.kpdsb.on.ca/specialeducation.

KPDSB, FIREFLY Partner to Provide Child Care Services in Kenora

Media Release - October 4, 2012

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board and FIREFLY are pleased to announce that child care and before- and after-school programs currently operating in Kenora area schools will continue after the City of Kenora ceases operations on December 31, 2012.

The following programs will be transitioned from the City of Kenora to FIREFLY in the new year.

Evergreen Public School – FIREFLY will provide the after-school program beginning January 7, 2013.

King George VI Public School – FIREFLY will provide the full-day child care program beginning January 2, 2013, and the before- and after-school programs beginning January 7, 2013. FIREFLY will also provide the summer program.

Valleyview Public School – FIREFLY will provide the after-school program beginning January 7, 2013.

In August 2012, the City of Kenora made the decision to cease the operation of all municipally ran daycares and before- and after-school programs as of December 31, 2012.

At that time, the KPDSB responded to that decision, assuring families that we were committed to the continuation of existing daycare and before- and after-school programs running in our buildings.

Caryl Hron, Superintendent of Education for the KPDSB, said “We know that our families depend on these services and we committed to doing everything we could to make sure the students and families making use of these programs were not affected by any closures or loss of service. We have been working with FIREFLY since the beginning of the school year and together, we will ensure a seamless transition for everyone. We are very pleased to have these new agreements in place and look forward to working with our partners for many years to come.”

Jackie Mitchell, Board Chair of FIREFLY, stated “FIREFLY is thrilled to continue this important partnership to provide quality service for children and their families in our community.” Barb Jackson, Director for FIREFLY, added “FIREFLY staff are excited and look forward to working with families to ensure their children experience a positive transition.”

Sioux Mountain PS Student One of Six to Win Provincial Award

School Submission - October 2, 2012

Congratulation goes to Calista Mawakeesic from Sioux Mountain Public School in Sioux Lookout. She was one of six recipients to receive the prestigious James Bartleman Aboriginal Creative Writing Award, on Wednesday, September 26^th, in Queen’s Park. She won $2,500, for her poem about bullying and below is an excerpt from her poem that she read at the ceremony in the Lieutenant Governor’s office. You can watch Calista read her poem at:http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/citizenship/honours/bartleman.shtml

The James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award recognizes Aboriginal youth for their creative writing talent. Every year up to six Aboriginal students each receive the award of $2,500. Next year it might be someone from your school!

Insight: To Ones Who Have Been Hurt
By Calista Mawakeesic

Angry inside.
Show them that I can shine,
Tell them that they were blind all this time.
Each day, day after day,
My mind played like a broken record,
Saying, I don’t want to be me.
Replaying, and playing, words of my catch phrase.

Stood up for myself and she,
Found out they weren’t so powerful after all,
The nights I laid awake, words buzzing in and out of my mind,
Broke out some tears, yes it’s true.

Got on my own two feet, stood up tall.
Found the true meaning of strength.
Glad I finally found hope,
Finally happy now.

To be pain free
To be care free,
To be tear free,
To be bully free!
Oh, not in this world, not even close.

Spread these wings of mine,
Show them what is really behind; strength and freedom,
Finally they leave me be.

Submitted by Annette Berry

2012-2013 Enrolment Increase

Media Release - September 27, 2012

The KPDSB is pleased to announce that for the second year in a row, our overall enrolment continues to grow.

Enrolment figures as of September 17, 2012, show the Board’s total elementary enrolment sitting at 2,858 students, which is 45 students (or 1.6%) higher than our actual enrolment figures from October 2011.

JK enrolment, as of September 17, 2012, is 267 students across the Board area. That number is higher than current enrolments in both Grade 1 and 2 in our Board. In October 2011, JK registrations were at 261 which was an unexpectedly high enrolment number at that time.

Several of our schools have contributed to this increase including Evergreen Public School in Kenora (28 students above our projected enrolment), Golden Learning Centre Public School in Balmertown (16 students above our projected enrolment), and Red Lake-Madsen Public School in Red Lake (24 students above our projected enrolment). Four new elementary teachers have been hired in response to this increase in enrolment.

Secondary enrolment is 2,412 students as of September 17, 2012. That figure is just two students (or 0.08%) lower than our actual enrolment figures from October 2011.

While most of our secondary schools have seen increases in enrolment, of particular note is Beaver Brae Secondary School in Kenora (19 students above our projected enrolment). Crolancia Public School in Pickle Lake began offering secondary programming during the 2010-2011 school year and their overall secondary enrolment has doubled since last school year, with a total of 41 secondary students currently enrolled.

Current enrolment for the KPDSB is 5270 students.

Director of Education, Jack McMaster said “This two year pattern is very encouraging. It not only provides more students with great learning opportunities in the KPDSB, but allows us to hire more exceptional teachers. To date, we have hired 14 new teachers and recently posted 8 more positions which will bring the total number of permanent teachers hired for the 2012-2013 school year to 22.”

September Board Meeting Highlights

Media Release - September 13, 2012

Trustees met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 for a regular board meeting.

The September Seeds for the Future – Celebrating our Stars presentation titled ‘Dave Lillico Memorial Leadership Opportunity: Ontario Educational Leadership Camp’ was received by Trustees. Dryden High School students Gerrit Mann and MacKenzie Kohut attended the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre’s Exceptional Leadership course in May 2012. The students told Trustees how much they enjoyed the experience, from the new people they met, to workshops on public speaking and leadership skills. Both students indicated that the experience has given them greater confidence and they were happy to have the opportunity to share their life experiences with their peers.

Caryl Hron, Superintendent of Education, Sean Monteith, Superintendent of Education, Scott Urquhart, Student Success Leader, and Susanne Bastable, School Effectiveness Lead, presented the 2012-2013 Board Strategic Improvement Plan (BSIP) for Student Achievement. The BSIP outlines the Board’s actions for student achievement each year and is reviewed annually. For the past two years, members of the Senior Administration team have visited each school and board office in the board to meet face to face with staff and gather feedback on the BSIP. Last year, the plan was 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 BSIP focuses on three priority areas:

We purposefully design and implement authentic learning experiences that engage students in higher order and critical thinking across all curriculum areas.
We use an integrated assessment and instruction model based on strategies contained in ‘Growing Success’.
We use intervention strategies for any student not achieving success.

Caryl Hron also presented the Full-Day Early Learning - Kindergarten Program report. Last year, the KPDSB saw an unexpected increase in the number of registrations for our Kindergarten programs. That trend has continued for the 2012-2013 school year. Enrolment figures, as of September 11, 2012, show Kindergarten registration numbers sitting at 540 students.

Rollout of the Full-Day Early Learning – Kindergarten program (FDELKP) continues, and in year three of the five year province-wide implementation, three additional FDELKP classes have been added to Sioux Mountain Public School in Sioux Lookout. The addition of the program to the Sioux Lookout area brings the total number of KPDSB schools offering the program to eight. By 2014-2015, the program will be available in all schools. The FDELKP is an all day, every day program for students who are four and five years of age and is taught by a qualified classroom teacher and a certified early childhood educator. For more details about the program and which schools are offering it this year, please visit our website at www.kpdsb.on.ca.

Sean Monteith also presented the Beaver Brae Secondary School update. In June of 2012, Trustees voted to transition Beaver Brae Secondary School from a grade 9-12 model to a grade 7-12 model for the 2013-2014 school year. The grade 7-12 model offers enhanced full-range program opportunities to students in grades 7 and 8 where previous program gaps may have existed at the elementary level as a result of smaller school enrolments and limited access to specialized facilities and equipment. In preparation for this change, a transition team comprised of elementary and secondary school staff, parent representatives, Trustees, administration, and students has been created. The team will work to ensure a smooth transition and will focus on ensuring student learning opportunities and safety are top priorities.

Scott Urquhart also presented the Technology Implementation update. In June 2012, Trustees approved phase two of the 21st Century Technology for Teaching and Learning Plan. The plan, designed to improve teaching and learning through the use of technology in classrooms, provides netbooks for every student in grades 4-12 in all KPDSB schools, a minimum of one iPad for every four students in Kindergarten to Grade 3, mobile laptop labs for every Grade 3 class, and laptops and docking stations for teachers. The rollout of these devices is under way and by the end of this week, a total of six schools will have received their netbooks and students and staff have been trained to use them. With school rollouts planned nearly every day for the next couple weeks, the implementation of netbooks in classrooms should be completed by early October.

KPDSB Planning Modernization of Tech Shops

Media Release - September 12, 2012

Over the next couple months, the KPDSB will be making significant improvements to equipment in all secondary school tech shops.

In the interest of student safety and to ensure students are receiving relevant and authentic learning opportunities, the KPDSB took the opportunity over the summer months to follow up on regular inspections that were done by the Ministry of Labour on the equipment in our secondary schools’ tech shops.

The Board took the additional step of hiring consulting firm Machine Safety Services to evaluate the equipment in every secondary school tech shop across the board area and to ensure the equipment being used by students meets the necessary safety regulations.

The results of that audit have identified a need for significant upgrades to the equipment in our shops. Planning is already underway to implement these improvements and a full report, including a costing for the improvements, should be complete by October 2012. In the meantime, a considerable amount of the larger equipment in our schools’ tech shops will be out of service until further notice.

Jack McMaster “This audit was a proactive step by the Facilities department of the KPDSB. Student safety is our first priority and through this process we have found that we need to make some changes and address some deficiencies the audit turned up. These improvements can only improve the overall learning experience of students in our tech classes and we will do our best to ensure these upgrades are done in a safe and timely manner.”

Gallery