From the Boardroom - February 21, 2017

From the Boardroom - February 21, 2017
the boardroom - green circle

 Board of TrusteesPresentations

École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys

Nicole Kurtz, Principal of École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys (SMB) and Tammy Bush, Learning Coordinator and Early Years Lead provided a presentation on the new initiatives happening at École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys.

Student Council religious items students created

Nicole Kurtz presented that SMB's School Council is an active committee with a student representative for each class. The class representatives bring information and topics back to their class and feedback back to their principal. Kurtz noted that students often have very different ideas and can bring a student's perspective to decisions impacting their school from new equipment to playground renovations.

Welcome Night

SMB's Welcome night was a success. Student leaders, wearing SMB shirts, provided tours of the school to families and did an excellent job.

Mme Baker's 2/3 Class

Mme Baker's Grade 2/3 class are continually innovating and creating digital products on their 3D printer. They are currently working on a project to design religious elements that would be used to teach children about altar serving and mass. The class also created a Stop-Motion video of the priest getting ready for mass.

Learning Commons Project

Nicole shared that SMB has teamed up with a parent, Jenina Hristrov, who volunteered to design the school's blueprints for a newly designed Learning Commons space (formerly the library). The space will be used in a different way than a typical library. The Learning Commons space will be used to support student collaboration, technology and innovation.

School Improvement Plan

SMB's School Improvement Plan is rooted in Catholicity and French language. A few of the goals for the plan are to increase numeracy and establish grade-level professional learning community groupings. The school will also be focusing on goal setting. All teachers, staff and students will be setting personal and academic goals. The school is also focused on increasing student-to-student talk throughout the school.

Foyer Transformation Project

Tammy Bush presented on SMB's Foyer Transformation project. The school submitted an application to the Idea Lab for a project to transform the foyer space into a more useable and comfortable learning space. Part of the process was to collect feedback from everyone in the school. The main ideas were to evolve the space to be able to be used in many different ways with movable seating options, a learning bar, writing surfaces and moveable white boards for privacy and to help delineate the space. Bush and Kurtz shared before and after pictures of the space and showcased some of the ways the students are now able to use the space. The space continues to evolve and be used in different ways every day.

Strategic Directions 2014 - 2019

Phyllis Eikre, Director of Education, Paul White and Mary Cunningham, Superintendents of Instructional Services provided a report on the board's Strategic Plan and the progress made towards achieving the goals of the strategic plan.

The team highlighted achievements and progress in the four areas of the plan: 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. To read the Strategic Plan, please click here.

As part of the presentation the team showcased the Innovative Learning Video about the Core French Program at St. Louis School:

Operational Services Plan and Capital Plan

Andrew Poirier, Manager of Operational Services provided a report on the accomplishments and progress within the Operational Services Plan and The 2014 - 2019 Capital Plan.

Operational Services Plan

Poirier reported that the board continues to work within the Purchasing Procedure and continues to use an automated tendering process for procurement of services and competitive pricing.

Health and Safety

The board is working to modernize the delivery programs, information and training in the board's health and safety program. The board has increased numbers of staff that are Core Certified with First Aid/CPR. Poirier reported that the board is up-to-date on workplace inspections and is currently implementing an online Material Safety Data Sheet process.

Energy Savings

Poirier reported that the Board continues to track and implement compliance strategies within the Ontario Green Energy Act. The board has cut hydro consumption at the Catholic Education Center by approximately 29% over the past 12 months. As utility rates increase, the board continues to find ways to reduce consumption, save money and leave a lighter footprint on the environment.

Capital Plan

Poirier provided a report on the board's five-year capital plan. Since the spring of 2016, the Operational Services Department has been compiling capital project requests from schools and departments. For the 2015 - 2017 fiscal years, the Board will receive a total of $3,144, 339 for School Renewal and Capital Plan Initiatives. If all approved projects for 2016/17 are completed in the current budget year, the board's financial commitment would be $3,005, 000. To read the board's 2014 - 2019 Capital Plan please click here.

Energy Efficiency Plan

Andrew Poirier provided a report on the board's 2013 - 2018 Energy Efficiency Plan. Poirier reported that the board's fifth year of savings commenced on August 31, 2015 to July 31, 2016 with an overall savings of $43,297 representing 136% of the annual guarantee. The savings consist of $37,184 for electricity and $6,113 for natural gas. Administration continues to implement their five-year Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan, which commenced on July 1, 2014, as per the Green Energy Act, 2009 regulations. To read the board's 2013 - 2018 Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan, please click here.

Reports

Retirement of Mary Cunningham

The trustees passed a motion to approve the retirement of Mary Cunningham, Superintendent of Instructional Services effective August 31, 2017. To read the media release, please click here.

2017 / 2018 School Year Calendar

Phyllis Eikre, Director of Education, provided the trustees with a report on the draft 2017 /2018 School Year Calendar. The Trustees approved the 2017 - 2018 School Year Calendar as presented. The School Year Calendar is considered a draft calendar until it's approved by the Ministry of Education. To review the calendar please click here.

Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association Tentative Extension Agreement

The Trustees approved a motion to accept the conditional local collective agreement terms to remain status quo for the period September 1, 2017, to August 31, 2019. This motion will be forwarded to the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association.

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

Phyllis Eikre provided a report on the January 20th SEAC meeting. The committee welcomed a new member, Trustee Anne Sweeney, who will be taking over the role from Vice Chair, Teresa Gallik. The January 20thmeeting was hosted by Pope John Paul II School. Learning Resource Teacher, Sarah Hicks provided a presentation on how the school is using Google Read and Write to support student learning.

Student Trustee Report

Student Trustee Jieren Bornia provided a report on the notable accomplishments, humanitarian activities and events happening at St. Thomas Aquinas High School for December.

You can watch Jieren's video presentation here:

Next Board Meeting

The next Board Meeting of the Kenora Catholic District School Board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. at the Catholic Education Center. Video Conferencing is available from the annex of St. John School in Red Lake. Everyone is welcome to attend. For a full listing of upcoming Board Meetings please click here.

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