From the Boardroom - Your 'at a glance' review of the January 15, 2019 Board Meeting
Flash Mob Prayer and Papal Blessing
The foyer at Pope John Paul II School was alive with dancing and music as students and trustees honoured Phyllis Eikre at her final Board Meeting as Director of Education. Eikre was presented with a flash mob prayer and papal blessing as part of the opening prayer service. Click here to read the full story and watch the video.
PRESENTATIONS
Pope John Paul II School
Tammy Bush, Principal, Jamey Robertson, Vice Principal and members of Pope John Paul II School's Student Council Executive, Lucas Tacknyk, Julia Carganillo and Brooklynn Kejick provided a report on PJP II school based on their School Improvement Plan. The report was presented by the students in the pillars of literacy, numeracy and well-being and spirituality. The school continues to see very strong results in their EQAO testing.
The team also shared that the school's new Child Care Center and toddler program is nearing completion and is almost ready to officially open to welcome families and children. The space has a state of the art kitchen facility.
During the summer, Pope John Paul II will be transforming their library into a Learning Commons and changing the use of the space. Students and staff are currently planning their vision for the learning environment.
First Nation, Métis and Inuit Strategy for Success
Shelly Tom, FNMI Education Coordinator provided a report on new initiatives. The Ojibway Language APP is nearing completion and will be available for free download from the APP store for smartphones and devices. The APP is designed to help with pronunciation of the Ojibway dialect in the Treaty #3 area.
Kenora Catholic now has Ojibway Language Facilitators based from St. Louis School and Pope John Paul II School working with classroom teachers to plan curriculum and teach the Ojibway Language program.
The Board's Elder in Residence, Isobel White, is working with all schools to support cultural teachings and knowledge. She is also working with the Religious Education Coordinator to create alignment with FNMI and Catholicity.
Students continue to participate in the Board's Northern Studies Program and recently visited powwow island at Wauzhushk Onigum for dog sledding. Click here to learn more about the program.
REPORTS
Delegation of Authority
The trustees passed a motion to approve the review of Policy #4 - Delegation of Authority with no revisions at this time. Click here to read the policy.
Regulation 274 Fair Hiring Practice
The trustees passed a joint motion with the Northwest Catholic District School Board and the Superior North Catholic District School Board. The motion will be sent to the Ontario Catholic District School Board to petition the Ministry of Education to create the ability for teachers across the province to move between school boards without the impediments imposed by Regulation 274. The school boards are asking the government to repeal the act or make changes that will create the conditions that improve a school board's ability to staff systems and teachers' ability to gain employment. Click here to read O.Reg. 274/12 Hiring Practices.
Education Funding Update
Alison Smith, Superintendent of Business Services provided an Education Funding Update. Smith reported that Kenora Catholic received notification from the Ministry of Education of decreases in Education Program Other (EPO) Grants. Overall the board will see a decrease of $219, 000 in funding with the most significant loss impacting the Innovation and Learning Grant.
Appointment of Audit Committee Members
The Board appointed Mike Favreau and Frank Bastone as trustee representatives on the Audit Committee.
2019 Trustee Twinning Report
Phyllis Eikre provided a 2019 Trustee Twinning Report identifying which trustees are twinned with each school at Kenora Catholic.
As Chair, Teresa Gallik is twinned with all schools and as
Vice Chair, Paul Landry is also twinned with all schools as well as Pope John Paul II School
Trustee Mike Favreau is twinned with St. Louis School
Anne Sweeney is twinned with Ecole Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys
Frank Bastone is twinned with St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Vaughn Blab is twinned with St. John School
The report will be sent to all schools and schools will invite their Trustee Twin to their school activities and events.
2019 Board Committees
Phyllis Eikre provided the trustees with a 2019 Board Committees Report identifying all the board committees and which trustees hold membership on each committee.
Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association Regional Director Nomination
The Board approved the nomination of Trustee Paul Landry and Trustee Frank Bastone as candidates for the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association Regional Director, for Region 2. Both trustees' names will be submitted by the Board to the OCSTA and elections will take place for Regional Directors at the 89th Annual General Meeting and Conference in April.
Student Trustee Report
Clareynze Ceria and Dominique Novelli provided a report on the notable accomplishments, humanitarian activities and events happening at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in January. Watch their full video report below:
2019 Director's Annual Report
Phyllis Eikre provided a presentation of the accomplishments and initiatives outlined in the 2018 Director's Annual Report. The Trustees passed a motion to accept the report that will be forwarded to the Ministry of Education in accordance with the Education Act. Click here to read the Report.
Next Board Meeting
The next Board Meeting is on Tuesday, February 19th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Louis School with video conferencing available from St. John School in Red Lake. Everyone is welcome to attend. Click here to see when all the meetings are scheduled for 2018 - 2019.