PRESENTATIONS
St. John School
Principal Michelle Sawa, Learning Resource Teacher Corinna Glazier and a delegation of St. John School Leadership students in grades 5 - 8 made a series of presentations. Each presentation was created by the students and showcased the various Leadership roles and projects happening at St. John School through the school's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Leader in Me process. After opening remarks Michelle Sawa handed over the reins to the students to take the leadership role in presenting to the trustees.
Leadership roles
Jersey, Paris and Haley were the first team of students to present about the various leadership roles that happen at St. John School. The team showed a video that showcased images of students performing leadership roles such as student greeters, classroom leaders, tour guides, kindergarten mentors, flag bearers, assembly speakers, OPHEA Team, student summit team, bulletin board leaders, student lighthouse team, data collectors, milk masters and breakfast club leaders. You can watch the video here: Click Here
Paradigms
Students Jersey, Paris and Haley also presented about the paradigm project that the grade 7/8 students recently completed. The students created a video where they perfectly captured a paradigm shift. The video involved interviews with parents and their children asking just one question: If you could have dinner with anyone past or present who would you chose? It's a moving video about making time for the people that matter most in your life. You can watch the video here: Click Here
SJS Shout Outs
Students Tyleen, Grace, Gavin and Kalan teamed up to provide a presentation on SJS Shout Outs. The students explained that the shout outs are designed to provide recognition of the good things happening around the school or an act of kindness. Each shout out includes the person receiving the shout out, the 7 Habit action or kind action being recognized, the 7 habit language and who the shout out is for. The students explained that they like to give and receive shout outs because the shout out makes them feel good about themselves and their choices, they know they've done the right thing and they are learning to be better leaders and better people.
Strategic Direction 2014 - 2019
Phyllis Eikre, Director of Education provided the trustees with a highlight of the successes and accomplishments associated with the Strategic Plan Our Journey, Our Faith, Our Joy for 2014 - 2019. Eikre presented the accomplishments in each of the four strands: Increasing Student Achievement and Well-Being, Fostering a Catholic Environment of Respect, Acceptance and Accountability, Using Our Resources Wisely, and Discovering and Celebrating Joy in the Education Journey. You can read the Strategic Plan Here.
REPORTS
Principal Announcement for St. John School
Phyllis Eikre announced that Corinna Glazier will be the new principal at St. John School effective August 29, 2016. You can read the full media release here.
Vice Principal Announcement for St. Thomas Aquinas High School and Pope John Paul II School
Phyllis Eikre announced that Victoria Swejda has accepted the permanent position of Vice Principal at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Eikre also announced that Lori Bazelo will continue to hold the position of Vice Principal at Pope John Paul II School for the 2016/17 school year. You can read both media releases here: Vice Principal at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and Vice Principal Extension at Pope John Paul II School
Retirements
Roberto Valentini, Vice Principal at St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Trustee Mike Favreau presented that Bob Valentini is retiring from the board on August 31, 2016 after 34 years of dedicated service in education. His teaching career began in White Fish Bay First Nation. Bob's commitment to the students began in his early years and continues today. In 1998, Bob and his wife Kathy moved to Kenora to continue their careers in education. Bob joined the Board as the Vice Principal at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. During his tenure he has been a volleyball and basketball coach and has been instrumental in building St. Thomas Aquinas High School into the school that it is today. Bob is loved by the staff and students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. His wife Kathy, son's Brent and Marc and daughter Becca have always been at the forefront of his life. The board wished Bob well in his future with the many projects to complete at his camp and the hunting and fishing trips to be organized.
Roger Long, Special Education Teacher at Pope John Paul II School
Vice Chair Teresa Gallik presented that Roger Long started with the Kenora Catholic District School Board as a Special Education Teacher at Mount Carmel School on August 27, 2001. In September 2007, with the opening of Pope John Paul II School, Roger transferred to the new school. Roger is a long-standing and dedicated member of the Joint Health and Safety Committee. He can often be found with a handy step stool in hand to keep staff members off of chairs and other precarious places. Roger has a passion for helping students with Math. He has endless patience when it comes to his students and makes it his mission to motivate his crew with math games on Fun Fridays. Every student wants to be invited into Mr. Long's room on Fridays and they feel special when they are able to go. He strives to keep the learning fun for everyone. Roger can often be found in the gym with a group of junior students, following his passion for floor hockey. Participating in floor hockey is a privilege that kids work towards, and they are disappointed if they do not earn their floor hockey privilege. Everything Roger does is for the students and his school community. He has a great sense of humour and a special way of speaking with the students. Roger leaves Pope John Paul II School with a legacy of love for sports and a love of learning. The board wished Roger all the best in his retirement.
Scott MacGillivray, Teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Trustee Paul Landry presented that Scott MacGillivray joined the Kenora Catholic School Board in the fall of 1987, moving here from his home in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He has been a teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas High School since that time. Originally hired to teach Math, Scott has exemplified the concept of a teacher who has had to re-invent himself. Although he still teaches Math, he has also taught Geography, Science, Civics, History, Religion, just about everything except Music, Physical Education & Art. Scott has embraced the Northwestern Ontario lifestyle, while adding his own unique Maritime flair. He has been heard to say that if the Board sees fit to offer a course in Bagpipe Playing, he may consider returning! He truly cares about his students and does whatever he can to help them succeed. He will be missed by the staff and students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The Board wished Scott a long and prosperous retirement with many years of happiness.
2015 Graduation Rates
Phyllis Eikre provided a presentation on the provincial 2015 Graduation Rate. Eikre explained that this is the second year that the Ministry of Education has published a provincial and local graduation rate. You can read the full media release here.
Special Education Advisory Committee Report
Vice Chair Teresa Gallik presented that the Special Education Advisory Committee has had the opportunity to visit each school within the Kenora Catholic District School Board throughout the 2015/16 year. The SEAC committee will be providing a full report at the June Board Meeting.
Occasional Teachers' Collective Agreement
The board passed a motion to ratify the local collective agreement between the Kenora Catholic District School Board and the Ontario English Teachers' Association Occasional Teachers for the period of September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2017 as negotiated on April 26th and 27th, 2016.
Support Staff Procedure Update
Tina Sinclair, Manager of Human Resource Services provided a report on the terms and conditions of the Support Staff Procedure. The procedure was recently updated on April 11, 2016 to reflect similar changes to the terms and conditions in the Teachers' Collective Agreement. To review the updated Support Staff procedure please click here.
Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario Principal of the Year for 2016
Phyllis Eikre provided warm congratulations to Michelle Sawa who was awarded the Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario Principal of the Year Award for 2016. The award is only provided to 5 principals in the province each year. You can read the full media release here.
Catholic Education Week and System Retreat Report
Sister Maria Ciccarelli provided a report on the activities surrounding Catholic Education Week 2016. Sister also provided a report on the System Spiritual Development Retreat that closed out Catholic Education Week. You can read more about the System Spiritual Development Retreat here.
Year End Schedule of Events
Phyllis Eikre provided the trustees with a full listing of all the year-end celebrations, award events and Masses happening at the end of the school year. Click here to view the Year End Schedule of Events
OCSTA AGM Report
Phyllis Eikre reported that all the trustees attended the 86th Annual Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association Annual General Meeting on April 28th to 30th in Collingwood, Ontario. The theme of the conference was 'Embracing Our Vision.' Trustees were able to choose from a variety of different sessions. The Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau, Quebec opened the conference and spoke about 'Inspiring a Vision, Empowering Action.' Trustees learned about Best Practices in Strategic Planning for School Boards, Aboriginal Education: A Time for Change, Healing and Hope, Mental Health, Spirituality and Authentic Happiness and Innovative Green Schools.
Student Trustee Report
Student Trustee Angela Myshkowsky provided a report on the notable accomplishments, humanitarian activities and events happening at St. Thomas Aquinas High School during May. You can watch Angela's full video report here.
Next Board Meeting
The Next Board Meeting of the Kenora Catholic District School Board is scheduled for Tuesday, June 21st at 7:00 p.m. at the Catholic Education Center. Video Conferencing is available from the annex at St. John School in Red Lake. Everyone is welcome to attend.