PRESENTATIONS
Rite of Commissioning for Student Trustee
During the opening prayer Mariette Martineau, Religious and Family Life Coordinator, led Jieren Bornia through the Rite of Commissioning as the new Student Trustee for the 2016 - 2017 school year. You can read more here.
Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association Provincial Update
Patrick Daly, President and Nick Milanetti, Executive Director for the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association provided a presentation at the meeting. The regional representatives talked about the role of the OCSTA as well as some of the issues facing northern school boards such as special education funding and the cost of transportation for northern school boards.
Frank Bastone, Chair provided the guests with a commemorative plaque of a carved face of Jesus Christ to mark the visit.
You can read more about this presentation here.
Discovery Invention Camp
Teachers, Shaun Dufresne and Tiffany Diestch, provided a presentation on St. John School's first Discovery Invention Camp. The summer learning camp was designed to be highly interesting and engaging for students to learn through various centers and challenges. The premise of the camp is for students to improve literacy and math skills through inquiry based learning activities. The students participated in reading, mini challenges and creating inventions. Week one activities were based on the theme Incredible Eco-Island Park while week two activities were based on the theme of Tomorrow Land. Each student in the camp received a camp t-shirt as well as a book bag. At the end of the camp students were able to fill their bags with 6 - 7 books to take home.
New Directions in Religious Education
Mariette Martineau, Religious and Family Life Coordinator provided a presentation on New Directions in Religious Education for the new school year. Martineau talked about making room for God within Catholic schools. She will be exploring opportunities to shift the leadership to the students to encourage more student involvement in their faith learning by presiding at their school masses and assemblies. Martineau shared that the role of the Catholic school is to help students see the big messages in their learning and talked about the Terry Fox Run not being just a fun day of running and fundraising but about the service and compassion of the man that gave his life for the cause. Martineau talked about a pilot project that she's working on with St. Louis school that involves bringing the parish community into the school to share gifts and talents that align with learning goals. The intention is to expand the program to other schools. Another important focus for the new school year will be on relationships with parents and exploring ways to serve families by asking how the things we do as a school system impacts families and how we can improve the experience for families.
REPORTS
Staffing Report
Tina Sinclair, Manager of Financial Services provided the trustees with a report on the new roles and new employees hired for the 2016/17 school year.
Emergency Appointments
The trustees approved the Emergency Appointments motion to allow the Director of Education to appoint a temporary person to teach a class if there are no qualified teachers available. Eikre explained that this normally happens in the spring when new teachers graduate from University but are not yet fully qualified through the Ontario College of Teachers. This motion allows the director to utilize these graduates for a period of 10 days as outlined in Regulation 298.
Enrolment Report
Alison Smith, Manager of Financial Services provided a report on the 2016/17 enrolment. Smith reported that the board is down 6 students from the June 2016 projections. The board's total enrolment as of September 9th is 1,517.
Primary Class Size
Alison Smith provided a Primary Class Size report identifying that the board is compliant in all areas. The board has 20 primary classes, three Grade 3/4 split classes and nine Kindergarten classes which fall under different class size rules. As of September 14th, there is one class greater than 20 and all Grade 3/4 classes are within the cap of 23 students. The board average for full day kindergarten is 19.78 students.
Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) Results
Paul White, Superintendent of Instructional Services provided the trustees with a report on the recently released EQAO results. White identified that KCDSB has reason to celebrate because for the 2nd year the Grade 9 applied math results are extremely high. The results are a testament to the work of the teachers and students. White identified that the board will be working closely with elementary school teachers to close the gaps and increase success for students. Click here to read the full release.
Phyllis Eikre, Director of Education provided a viewing of the new Ministry of Education Ontario Graduation commercial. Eikre identified that the Ministry of Education hired a local videographer to film the graduation celebration. The board is very pleased that the commercial includes students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in the video. Click here to watch the video.
Education Council of Associations for Benefits
The trustees ratified a motion to approve the transfer of benefits for all non-unionized staff to the provincial non-union Employee Life and Health Trust. The trustees also ratified a motion to authorize the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association to develop terms and execute the trust agreement on behalf of the non-unionized employees of the Kenora Catholic District School Board.
STUDENT TRUSTEE REPORT
Student Trustee Jieren Bornia provided her first report as the student trustee for the 2016 / 2017 school year. Jieren reported on the notable accomplishments, humanitarian activities and events happening at St. Thomas Aquinas High School for September. You can watch Jieren's full video report here.
NEXT BOARD MEETING
The Next Board Meeting of the Kenora Catholic District School Board is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18th 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.