Letter to Families - ETFO Job Action in KPDSB Elementary Schools for Monday, May 11, 2015

Letter to Families - May 6, 2015

Dear Families, Parents and Guardians of KPDSB Elementary Students:

There has been much communicated in recent days in media and reports about potential job action that could impact our elementary schools, our staff, and most importantly our students and their families. We thought it prudent and valuable to share a brief update to parents and families on the status of provincial labour negotiations, specifically with respect to our elementary teachers.

Under a new bargaining framework established by the Ontario Government last year, 2014, negotiations between the province and unions representing teachers have been underway since the new year. While contracts have expired, the bargaining has continued provincially between the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), the government, and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO). As part of this process, ETFO is in a legal job action position as of Monday, May 11, 2015. It is our understanding that elementary teachers will initiate an administrative work to rule campaign on this date.

It is important to inform you that:

-       Schools in the KPDSB will all be open as normal and as expected on Monday, May 11th

-       School Activities such as school trips, extra-curricular activities and sports will continue as planned

Planned teacher job actions are expected to include: non-attendance in any Ministry of Education meetings or initiative, participating in provincial or local meetings, and not performing duties related to the annual EQAO provincial assessments.

I wish to make it clear that locally our relationship between the KPDSB and Keewatin-Patricia Elementary Teachers Association remains strong, respectful and established; the tone remains cordial and we continue our part working towards a fair collective agreement. We have great confidence in our teachers and in their professionalism; we value their work.

Parents and families are an essential partner in a child’s education; as such we will provide any information or updates as they arise and that we believe are necessary to be disseminated to families and parents.

Sincerely,

Sean Monteith
Director of Education

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KPDSB celebrates Education Week and Children's Mental Health Week

Media Release - May 4, 2015

May 4-8, 2015 is Education Week and Children’s Mental Health Week in Ontario. 

Our schools will be celebrating with a variety of activities throughout the week.  From wellness days at secondary schools, to workshops and community activities in elementary schools, to presentations by area partners and alumni in schools across the district, we have plenty to celebrate this week!

Dave Penney, Chair for the KPDSB, stated "Education Week is a great opportunity to thank our staff and community partners for all that they do to ensure the needs of our students are always put first.  There are many students and families who depend on our staff every day and their efforts do not go unnoticed.  Thank you to our staff from the Board of Trustees for everything you do for our students."

Jennifer Fletcher, Student Counsellor for the Red Lake area, added “Mental illness affects us all in some way or another whether it be a loved one, a friend, acquaintance or colleague. By celebrating Children’s Mental Health Week, it allows us the opportunity to bring the work that is happening every day in our schools to the forefront and raise awareness about mental health and the stigmas that are often connected to it.  My dream is to see us all work together to help and understand one another and celebrating this week in our schools is just one more way to support our students.”  

Joan Kantola, Superintendent of Education, said “On behalf of the KPDSB Mental Health Lead, administration and staff, we are committed to supporting all students with the implementation of our system Mental Health Strategy.  This week, and every week, we are focused on the health and well-being of our students.”

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, finished “Education Week marks a short period of time through the year in which we all recognize and celebrate the work of our students and staff but it’s important to note that exceptional work is happening every day in our schools across the region.”

For a detailed listing of the events taking place in each area, please contact Sheena Valley at      223-5311 ext. 247 or visit your local public school.

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April Board Meeting Highlights

Media Release - April 15, 2015

Trustees met at Valleyview Public School on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, for a regular board meeting.  Trustees also had the chance to visit with the staff and students of Valleyview earlier in the day.

The April “Students Come First” presentation titled ‘Kenora Grade 6 Transition Activities’ was received by Trustees.  Kenora area Vice-Principals Shannon Bailey (Valleyview Public School), Tracey Benoit (Beaver Brae Secondary School) and Lisa Achilles (Beaver Brae Secondary School), as well as Kenora area staff members Val Silvester (Evergreen Public School) and Patty Chisholm (Beaver Brae Secondary School), were joined by students from five of our Kenora area schools to share their experiences with the transition activities taking place this year.

The cross-panel activities play an important role in preparing students for the transition from Grade 6 to Grade 7 by easing anxiety students may feel, and ensuring both students and their families feel comfortable, welcome and connected to Beaver Brae’s staff, and the historic building itself, before they enter the school in the fall.  Trustees heard how the transition activities have created an incredible sense of community between Beaver Brae and our elementary schools, with students sharing their own individual experiences.  Many stated they were no longer nervous or anxious about the transition and were looking forward to becoming Broncos in the fall.  Some of the transition activities the students have been participating include wood and bike shop, court sports, cosmetology, foods lab, hockey academy, French language events, and several family information nights.  For more information about Beaver Brae Secondary School and the opportunities it offers to students in the Kenora area, please contact the school at 468-6401.

Michael Boos, Principal of Sioux Mountain Public School in Sioux Lookout, and Steve Dumonski, teacher at Sioux Mountain Public School, presented the Sioux Mountain Hockey Skills Academy Report.  In response to interest from students, the school’s parent council, and the community of Sioux Lookout, Sioux Mountain is offering a hockey skills academy to all interested students beginning in September 2015.  To date, 87 students in grades 1-8 have signed up for the program which will offer differentiated instruction for students based on their hockey skill level, with both an on and off ice component totaling between 100 to 250 minutes of instruction per week. The focus of the academy is to increase student academic achievement by addressing the whole student, including their physical, mental and emotional development.  An application has been submitted to have the academy accredited by Hockey Canada and the program is being offered for free thanks to partnerships with Jumpstart and local organizations.  For more information, contact Sioux Mountain Public School at 737-3480.

Lynn McAughey, Principal of King George VI Public School (Kenora), Wayne Mercer, Vice-Principal of Queen Elizabeth District High School (Sioux Lookout), and Rachelle Davenport, Vice-Principal of Ignace and Upsala Public Schools, presented the KPDSB Principals & Vice-Principals Efficacy Report.  The role of a KPDSB principal is vast and includes providing a safe and welcoming learning environment, ensuring the curriculum is being delivered and assessed appropriately, building and maintaining positive relationships with various stakeholders, and above all else, making sure students always come first.  Recent studies have shown that parents and families don’t always understand what school leaders do and by providing information on their roles to our communities, we hope to see increased engagement in our schools and with our administration.  For more information on the role of a KPDSB principal and how they can support families in our communities, please contact Sheena Valley at 223-5311.

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KPDSB's Lynn McAughey appointed to secondment with MOE

Media Release - April 20, 2015

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is both pleased and proud to announce that Mrs. Lynn McAughey, Principal of King George VI Public School in Kenora, has been appointed to a three year secondment with the Ministry of Education’s Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat. McAughey’s secondment will begin this September, 2015.

An experienced administrator in the KPDSB, McAughey began teaching in 1989 and since that time has worked with families, students, and staff at the former Lakewood, Valleyview, Keewatin, Beaver Brae, and Ignace Public Schools as an employee of the KPDSB. 

McAughey has worked as a principal leader within the Leading Student Achievement project with her colleagues in the KPDSB and has been a formal principal mentor and executive member of the Ontario Principals’ Council.  She also instructs Lakehead University’s Principals’ Qualification Program here in the northwest region.

McAughey stated “The KPDSB has been an incredible place to work as a life-long learner.  Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to learn and work with a dedicated and talented group of teachers and support staff – always with the intention of having high expectations and putting our students’ first.”  She cites the graduations of her sons, Sean and Liam, from Beaver Brae Secondary School as highlights as a parent and leader in the KPDSB.

Dave Penney, Chair commented "The Board, and myself personally, would like to congratulate Lynn on this appointment.  Lynn is a valuable employee and we know that the experience she will gain will not only benefit her but will also prove to be beneficial to the Board.  We wish her all the best as she takes on these new challenges."

Sean Monteith, Director of Education added “We are proud of Lynn’s achievement and wish her well with this secondment to the Ministry of Education; she has a solid track record of furthering professional learning of teachers and principals, and she will undoubtedly excel in this new role.”

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GLC spring musical a tremendous success!

Media Release - April 20, 2015

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is both pleased and proud to announce that Mrs. Lynn McAughey, Principal of King George VI Public School in Kenora, has been appointed to a three year secondment with the Ministry of Education’s Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat. McAughey’s secondment will begin this September, 2015.

An experienced administrator in the KPDSB, McAughey began teaching in 1989 and since that time has worked with families, students, and staff at the former Lakewood, Valleyview, Keewatin, Beaver Brae, and Ignace Public Schools as an employee of the KPDSB. 

McAughey has worked as a principal leader within the Leading Student Achievement project with her colleagues in the KPDSB and has been a formal principal mentor and executive member of the Ontario Principals’ Council.  She also instructs Lakehead University’s Principals’ Qualification Program here in the northwest region.

McAughey stated “The KPDSB has been an incredible place to work as a life-long learner.  Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to learn and work with a dedicated and talented group of teachers and support staff – always with the intention of having high expectations and putting our students’ first.”  She cites the graduations of her sons, Sean and Liam, from Beaver Brae Secondary School as highlights as a parent and leader in the KPDSB.

Dave Penney, Chair commented "The Board, and myself personally, would like to congratulate Lynn on this appointment.  Lynn is a valuable employee and we know that the experience she will gain will not only benefit her but will also prove to be beneficial to the Board.  We wish her all the best as she takes on these new challenges."

Sean Monteith, Director of Education added “We are proud of Lynn’s achievement and wish her well with this secondment to the Ministry of Education; she has a solid track record of furthering professional learning of teachers and principals, and she will undoubtedly excel in this new role.”

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