KPDSB Chair and Vice-Chair acclaimed, Trustee appointments announced, Trustee Appointments Announced

Media Release - December 19, 2016

Trustees of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, for the inaugural board meeting of the 2017 calendar year.

The Board of Trustees committed to stability and direction by acclaiming Trustee Dave Penney as Chair and Trustee Cecile Marcino as Vice-Chair.

The following Trustee appointments were made:

• Trustees Roger Griffiths, Jennifer Kitowski and George Seaton were appointed to the Audit and Finance Committees for a one year term. 

• Trustees Lesley Barnes, Desta Buswa and Gerald Kleist were appointed to the Native Education Advisory Council (NEAC) for a one year term.  

• Trustee Cecile Marcino was appointed to the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) Board of Directors. 

• Trustee Jennifer Kitowski was appointed as the alternate to the OPSBA Board of Directors. 

• Trustee Dave Penney was appointed as the OPSBA voting delegate. 

• Trustee David Wilkinson was appointed as the OPSBA voting delegate alternate for the General Meeting. 

• Trustees Lesley Barnes and Michelle Guitard were appointed to the Parent Involvement Committee for a one year term. 

• Trustees Michelle Guitard and Jennifer Manitowabi were appointed to the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for a one year term.  

• Trustee Roger Griffiths was appointed to the Transportation Policy Committee. 

• Trustee Lesley Barnes was appointed as the Transportation Policy Committee Alternate.

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Alysha Brilla performance and workshop!

Students in grades 6, 7 & 8 were treated to a performance by artist Alysha Brilla! Following her performance, 30 students took part in a drumming workshop with percussionist and band member, Adam Bowman.  Read the full story here!

Tags: Alysha Brilla, Open Roads School, percussion workshops, Fine Arts program, Explore program

KPDSB celebrates excellence at Dryden High School, receives update on KPDSB/NAN partnership

Media Release - November 14, 2016

Trustees met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, November 8, for a regular board meeting.

The November “Students Come First” presentation titled ‘Skills for Life’ was received by Trustees. Dryden High School (DHS) teachers Paul and Dave Darling, accompanied by DHS students, shared a glimpse into technology programs offered at DHS.  The classes offered through DHS’s technology department are vast, including transportation, communications, construction and manufacturing technology, computer sciences and robotics, dual credits (where students can earn both a high school and college credit) in welding and basic hand tools, and an integrated trades bundle credit program.  Students at the presentation shared what the technology courses mean to them, telling Trustees that the hands on learning offered through the tech classes reduces stress, provides creative outlets, builds confidence, and increases engagement while providing an opportunity to explore new experiences and find out what they are interested in, all while having some fun during the school day.

A group of DHS staff also made a presentation to Trustees, titled ‘A Story of our Successful Graduates and Leaders of Tomorrow’.  DHS teachers Jason Stevenson (Languages Department Head, English), Kurt Schmidt (Science Department Head, Physics, Outdoor Education), Blair Roberts (Senior Biology and Chemistry, Environmental Science), Nicole Moline (Senior English, Anthropology) and Joanna Ulisse-Caren (Senior Math - Calculus and Vectors, Advanced Functions, Data Management) shared some of the strategies they use in their classrooms as they work to prepare their students for their careers of choice.  All agreed on the importance of challenging their students through inquiry based strategies to support them in becoming resilient, self-sufficient learners who can think critically and form out of the box solutions to any challenges they may face in the future.

Following the teachers presentation, videos of DHS alumni were shared where former students spoke about how their time at DHS prepared them for the careers and post secondary studies they have chosen.  Trustees heard many of the students not only felt they were well prepared for their programs, but that they watched their classmates struggle and were grateful to the staff at DHS for going above and beyond to make sure they had the tools they needed to succeed.  The students spoke about specific staff in the building who had impacts on them, often identifying more than one teacher or staff member, and extended their appreciation and thanks to their former teachers for their support, which often continued past graduation.

Michael Boos, KPDSB principal currently on secondment with Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), presented the NAN/KPDSB partnership update.  In 2013, discussions began between NAN and the KPDSB to look at new ways of support northern children.  Through those discussions, a partnership was formed to develop and implement a pilot program to support Frist Nation schools within the NAN territory though leadership development, while working collaboratively to help design and promote strategies to equip First Nation students with the self-confidence and educational opportunities to be successful in reaching their education goals.  Beginning steps of the pilot program include, but are not limited to, an assessment of what is needed, on the ground assistance based on community needs, support for teacher evaluations, retention strategies, transitions strategies, and principal mentorship.  Participation by NAN communities is voluntary, with the following communities participating in the initial pilot program as of November 8, 2016: Fort Severn First Nation, North Spirit Lake First Nation, Webequie First Nation, Marten Falls First Nation, Long Lake #58 First Nation, and Mattagami First Nation.  Each First Nation will work directly with Boos in developing a plan to meet their needs.

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Make A Difference Projects!

Students in Ms. Ferriolo's grade 4/5 class have been working hard to "Make A Difference" to people in their families, school and community.  Read the full article here.

Tags: Open Roads School, Make A Difference, Community projects, volunteering

"Music in Motion" performance

Grade 6, 7 and 8 Fine Arts students will be once again performing at the annual "Music in Motion" concert along with music students from Dryden High School.  Read the full article here!

Tags: Fine Arts program, music program, musical performance