Catch up on key highlights from the October 15, 2024 Board Meeting.
Catch up on the key highlights from the October 15, 2024 Board Meeting.
Watch the full meeting on YouTube:
PRESENTATIONS
Faith in Action: Monthly Catholic Identity Themes
Religious Education and Family Life Coordinator Leanne Chisholm presented the Faith in Action initiative, highlighting its goals and structure. This program introduces monthly themes that unify faith, family connections, social justice, and Indigenous Grandfather Teachings to foster a cohesive Catholic community across KCDSB schools. Each month focuses on a Saint and a Grandfather Teaching, with a social justice initiative every other month. The program emphasizes family engagement, encouraging families to connect and reflect on their hopes and dreams. Resources are available to support school teams in embracing a shared faith identity throughout the board.
Click here to learn more.
Student Trustee Report
Student Trustees Ben and Javan reported that STAHS students are actively engaged in academics, sports, faith, culture, and community service. The recent cell phone provincial policy has improved academic focus, and sports teams are excelling, with hockey underway and students advancing to OFSAA in Golf. A recent Triple Play community fundraiser, featuring Winnipeg Jets alumni, raised over $28,000 for Triple Play, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, and Beaver Brae Secondary School. The Terry Fox Run, raised $4,500 for cancer research.
Faith and Indigenous culture were celebrated through Thanksgiving services, student-led prayers, and a moving Orange Shirt Day event. The FNMI Student Council is planning a field trip to Winnipeg and working to bring more Indigenous art into the school. Humanitarian initiatives included polio awareness, community support through the Jean Fund, and leadership class activities with Pinecrest residents.
In the arts, students are transitioning to outdoor urban landscape projects, and Jam Night continues to encourage musical talent. The school’s varied initiatives reflect a thriving, engaged community at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
POLICY
Policy #3 - Role of the Director
Director Nicole Kurtz provided a report on the updates to Policy #3 - Role of the Director, which was recently reviewed in detail with the Trustees at the October Policy Governance Committee Meeting.
PROGRAM
Enrolment Report
Superintendent Alison Smith reported an enrolment of 1,252 students as of October 9, a decrease of 13 students overall. St. John, St. Louis, and St. John Paul II School saw slight increases, while École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys and St. Thomas Aquinas High School experienced minor declines in enrolment. Overall enrolment remains close to projections, with minimal fluctuations over the past three years.
2024 - 2025 Primary Class Size Report
Superintendent Alison Smith presented the 2024–2025 Class Size Report, detailing compliance with Ontario Regulation 132/12, which mandates reporting on elementary class sizes with a count date of September 12. The regulation specifies average and maximum class sizes for Full Day Kindergarten, Grades 1–3, and Grades 4–8, with specific limits to minimize split classes and accommodate specific programming needs.
As of the reporting date, KCDSB remains fully compliant with these regulations. Key statistics include an average Kindergarten class size of 22 (all under the 29-student limit), 100% of Grades 1–3 classes under 20 students, and an average of 22.5 pupils in Grades 4–8.
The report will be submitted to the Ministry of Education.
Appointment of Special Education Advisory Committee Members
The Trustees passed a motion to appoint Stacey Socholotuk as representative for the Kenora Association for Community Living and Lina O'Connor as the alternate on the Special Education Advisory Committee.
OTHER
Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association Fall Regional Meeting Report
Paul Landry reported on the OCSTA Fall Regional Meeting held October 3-4 in Thunder Bay, attended by Nicole Kurtz, Jamey Robertson, and Trustees Derek Favreau, Angela Bishop, and approximately 25 members, including Trustees, Superintendents, Directors, and OCSTA representatives within the region. Highlights included updates on provincial matters such as ongoing negotiations, financial briefings to the government, and recent meetings with parliament members. There was a focus on Indigenous education updates and the success of Catholic Virtual Ontario, which has doubled to 1,232 courses, awarding 35,000 credits.
OCSTA’s Anne O’Brien presented on Catholic Identity under the theme "Pilgrims of Hope." Board presentations addressed challenges such as staffing shortages, compensation gaps for principals and vice-principals, Trustee travel limitations, and student transportation costs.
UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS
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2024 - 2025 Board Meeting Schedule