From the Boardroom - March 22, 2022

See what's happening at the Boardroom Table with your Catholic School Trustees.
Posted on 03/23/2022
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From the Boardroom for March 22, 2022

Did you miss the Board Meeting on March 22, 2022? Not to worry, here are the highlights from the meeting.

Watch the full meeting on YouTube:

  

  


HIGHLIGHTS


Supporting Students with Transitions to St. Thomas Aquinas High School

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The St. Thomas Aquinas High School team, Principal Kylie Hughes, Vice Principal Erin Hercun and Grade 7/8 Area Chair Jeff Sachowski, provided a presentation on the various strategies the school is implementing for supporting students with transitions into high school from Grade 6 to Grade 7.

Information was shared on the virtual Google Classroom established to create a community for Grade 6 students to engage with peers, connect with educators, ask questions and learn about school life at STAHS.

The team also shared information about events planned every month, including the Explora-try and Jamboree and Easter Egg drop-off planned for April, Barbeque, Carnival, and Open House planned for May, Streetfest in June and Unlock Your Future in August, as well as many other sports and jamboree activities for students.


French Language Initiative

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Hilary Aitken, Principal and Andrea Sachowski, Vice Principal, reported on Kenora Catholic’s French Language Framework. The Framework has three main goals - increasing student confidence, proficiency and achievement, increasing student and educator proficiency and engagement and increasing the retention of students staying in French as a Second Language until Graduation.

The team highlighted specific strategies that support each goal, such as the success of the comprehensive, levelled reading program Je Lis, je lis Littératie. They also reported that 17 French Immersion students will be challenging the DELF test, a certified diploma recognizing the level of language proficiency in French. Also highlighted, was the huge success of the KCDSB Festival du Voyageur and the new Club de Conversation - a monthly, informal opportunity for teachers to connect and collaborate while being immersed in French language.

During the month of March, the KCDSB will also be highlighting and celebrating French Immersion Graduates and how they are using French in their careers in different settings. The initiative is called Tout Est Possible (anything is possible).

Student Trustee Report

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Student Trustees, Antonie-Marie Skead and Elizabeth Favreau provided a report on the activities and initiatives happening at St. Thomas Aquinas High school during March. Student Trustees reported that everyone is feeling refreshed and re-energized from March Break. Students are enjoying the relaxation of health and safety protocols, particularly the lifting of masks and being able to see smiles again from their teachers and classmates. They are also enjoying sports, assemblies and are looking forward to graduation and year-end celebrations being in-person and back normal.

St. Thomas Aquinas High School raised over $600 for Ukraine relief efforts.

Students are looking forward to Lent and Easter prayer services and are feeling more vibrant than ever.

Maxwell Froese was absent with regret.


Energy Efficiency Report

(TIMESTAMP 53:59)


Alison Smith, Superintendent of Business Services, provided a report on the Board’s Energy Efficiency Program highlighting conservation goals, regulations, and upgrades to facilities as per Ontario regulation, 507/18. Smith reported on the projects the Board undertook, including the replacement of old heat pumps at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, which will result in savings of approximately $5,000 per year. Smith also noted the replacement of LED light fixtures at various schools in over $3,600 in savings.

The Board is focusing on a water management program with water flow sensors installed at all schools.


2019 – 2024 Capital Plan

(TIMESTAMP 57:32)


Alison Smith presented the 2019 – 2024 Capital Plan, identifying that the Board is currently in year three of a five-year Capital Plan.

The plan has 55 projects, including completed projects from 2019 – 2020 and 2020 - 2021. For the 2019 - 2021 fiscal years, the Board has received $5,459,637 for School Condition Improvement and School Renewal Capital funding. The projects identified as completed had total project costs of $2,224,307. If all the projects for 2021 – 2022 are approved the cost is estimated to be $770,000.

Smith identified that there is a backlog of projects due to the interruption of restrictions caused by the pandemic, which the board is working to remediate.

Smith highlighted the large landscaping project that was completed at St. John School last fall. The project reconfigured the bus pick up and drop off area for safety and efficiency, paved the play area at the south/east corner of the school, and improved the front of the school while also addressing other remediations.


2022 – 2023 Grants for Student Needs Funding

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Alison Smith provided an overview of the 2022 - 2023 Grants for Student Needs (GSN) that was announced by the Ministry of Education on February 17. Smith reported that the GSN is increasing 2.7 per cent, while the per-pupil funding is projected to be $13,059 in 2022 – 2023.

The government is providing funding for targeted investments for a range of initiatives, including student’s fund support and time-limited COVID-19 learning recovery funding.

Additional funding was announced for student mental health investment to continue to support student mental health and well-being, used for school board-based staffing, programs, and initiatives.


Special Education Advisory Committee Report

(TIMESTAMP 1:09:19)


Anne Sweeney provided a report on the February 18, 2022, Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting with a presentation from École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys. The presentation was on the reading programs that were implemented at the school this year - Empower Reading and Bridge the Gap Program.

Sweeney advised that the SEAC committee is supporting the Durham District School Board letter of February 3, regarding the claw back of the Special Incident Portion (SPI) funding from an increase of $11,016.00 per student to $1,518.00 per student, reflecting a significant decrease in the amount of funding per student.


COVID-19 Update

(TIMESTAMP 1:14:58)


Alison Smith reported that there are significant COVID-19 restriction changes announced that took effect on March 21. The majority of the restrictions, such as masking and cohorting have been lifted. For the Kenora Catholic District School, it’s starting to feel like business as usual.

Personal Protective Equipment and masks are continuing to be supported and are available for use for staff and students, while Rapid Antigen Tests continue to be available as needed for symptomatic testing.


2022 Trustee Determination

(TIMESTAMP 1:17:23)


Paul White, Director of Education, provided a report on the 2022 Trustee Determination for the Kenora Catholic District School Board. Trustee Determination is in accordance with Section 9 of the Ontario Regulation 412/00.

The election day for Catholic School Board Trustees is October 24, 2022. The new term of office for the Board of Trustees is November 15, 2022, at the Inaugural Board Meeting, where the new Board of Directors will be sworn into office.

Director White reported that the KCDSB is entitled to six (6) Trustees for the 2022 elections. Five Trustees will be allocated to Kenora, Ontario, while one Trustee will be allocated to Ear Falls, Ontario. This figure does not include one additional Trustee, being the First Nation Trustee who will be appointed at the inaugural meeting for a four-year term of office.

Trustees passed a motion that the Board does not designate any low population areas for the October 2022 elections, and also passed a motion that the Board accept the Trustee Determination for the October 2022 elections as five (5) Trustees for the Kenora, Ontario area and one (1) Trustee for the Red Lake, Ontario area.


Upcoming Board Meeting Dates


Want to Join a Meeting?

Guests are welcome at the Board Meetings as part of the audience.

Anyone wishing to address the Board of Trustees must register by contacting Paul White, Director of Education. For inquiries, please call 807-468-9851 or email at [email protected].
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