From the Boardroom - October 20, 2015 Report

From the Boardroom - October 20, 2015 Report
Posted on 10/21/2015
From the Boardroom

Board of trusteesPresentations

Teachers Bernadette Martin and Erin Hercun as well as Principal Paul White provided a presentation on the Houses of St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The Houses of St. Thomas Aquinas High School is a new innovation spearheaded by the student council that takes the entire school population (teachers, students, support staff) and divides the community into 6 Houses. Each house is strategically named after a saint that reflects the values of the school. Everyone in each House was provided with a House T-shirt with their Saint's name on the shirt. The intention is to increase student engagement and participation in school activities and build relationships. Read more about the Houses of St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

Sue Devlin, Mental Health Lead provided a presentation on the Board's 2015 - 2016 Mental Health Action Plan. Devlin provided the trustees with background and statistical information regarding mental health awareness of students. Roughly 1 in 5 students in Canadian schools struggle with a mental health problem that interferes with their day to day functioning. Devlin talked about the many Mental Health Initiatives the board is implementing or has implemented as part the Action Plan.

The KCDSB recently hired Jason Cortvriendt a registered social worker to be part of the Mental Health Team.

The Board also has a Mental Health and Addictions Nurse that is focused on the success of students with mental health or addiction issues.

The KCDSB is training more staff to continue offering Roots of Empathy to all Kindergarten classes. The Roots of Empathy program is backed by evidence that shows the program significantly reduces levels of aggression and bullying amongst children.

The Board is a partner in the Stop Now and Plan Program (SNAP) offered through FireFly.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is offered within the board for those interested in being able to provide suicide first aid. In early October a group of staff were trained and certified in ASIST increasing the number of trained teachers and coaches.

Havoc continues to be a therapist on four legs at St. Louis School. By spending time with Havoc some students who may have anxiety are able to calm and relax. The research is promising in this area.

The Board has just partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association to pilot the Talk Today program at St. Thomas Aquinas High school for all senior athletes. The program is one of the most comprehensive mental health programs for amateur sports in Canada and provides mental health and suicide awareness. A full media release will be coming in the next few weeks.

Reports

The trustees accepted a motion to approve the retirement of Isabel Orr effective January 31, 2016. Trustee Teresa Gallik shared information about Isabel's career with the Board. She started as an accounting clerk in 1998 and has held many positions in her career including accounts payable clerk, payroll clerk, and accounts receivable clerk. Most recently her position has evolved to include coordinating travel arrangements for all teachers and staff of the Board, a task requiring patience, organization and lots of attention to detail.

The Board wishes Isabel a long and happy retirement.

Teresa Gallik provided a Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)Report on the September meeting. The SEAC committee's first meeting revolved around long term planning and scheduling for the year. One of the goals is to create more parental awareness and let parents know they are welcome to attend all meetings.

Phyllis Eikre, Director of Education advised the Trustees that the Board received a memorandum from the Ministry of Education providing an additional professional development day for the 2015/16 school year. This would result in 1 less instructional day that would then be converted to a professional activity day. There is no additional information at this time as to the date of the of the professional activity day or the topic.

Phyllis Eikre provided the trustees with a briefing paper on the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association Regional Meeting and Diocesan Conference that was held in Thunder Bay on October 2nd and 3rd. The trustees commented that it was a valuable and informative conference.

Phyllis Eikre provided the trustees with information on the Ombudsman of Ontario. Eikre shared that as of September 1, 2015 the Ombudsman of Ontario are now able to investigate and resolve complaints involving school boards. However the person that has the complaint needs to go through all Board processes including Disposition of Complaints to resolve the complaint prior to the Ombudsman of Ontario becoming involved.

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 since her last report. You can watch Angela's full report here:

The Next Board Meeting

The next Board meeting of the Kenora Catholic District School Board is scheduled for Thursday, November 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the Catholic Education Center in the Boardroom. Video Conferencing is available from the annex of St. John School in Red Lake. All visitors are welcome to attend. To see a full schedule of board meetings please click here.

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