KPDSB Trustees Approve Name for New High School in Sioux Lookout
Media Release - April 12, 2017
KPDSB Trustees approved a name for our new high school in Sioux Lookout at the April regular board meeting (held April 11, 2017, at Ignace Public School). The new name, ‘Sioux North High School’, received unanimous support from Trustees.
The process to select a name for the new high school began in May 2016. In accordance with KPDSB Policy 805 – Naming of Educational Facilities, the Naming of the New Sioux Lookout High School Committee was created. Members of the committee included area students and staff, as well as community representatives from both Sioux Lookout and Lac Seul First Nation.
Following a number of face to face community consultations in Sioux Lookout and Lac Seul, the public was given an opportunity to submit possible names for the new school through an online survey in June 2016. Submitted names were then voted on by members of the committee and a short list of three options was once again given to the public for input through another online survey in December 2016.
Results of the final survey indicated ‘Sioux Lookout True North High School’ received the majority of votes (approximately 800 of 1300 votes – the other name options were Points North District High School and Lac Seul District High School).
The naming committee held one final meeting, where students on the committee suggested an abbreviated version of the top choice, adjusting the name from ‘Sioux Lookout True North High School’ to ‘Sioux North High School’. The students’ suggestion received full support from the membership of the committee and the name was officially submitted to the Board of Trustees on behalf of the committee.
Sean Monteith, Director of Education, stated “The naming of our new high school in Sioux Lookout, Sioux North High School, not only represents another significant milestone to our end goal of an official opening, it also represents the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board remaining true to its vision statement that we put students first, and with that comes the inherent responsibility to honour their voice.”
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Sponsor A Swimmer
Beginning last year, all students at Evergreen School began taking swim lessons. It was agreed upon by the staff that in an area with as many lakes and beaches as Kenora, that our students must be equipped with swimming skills and water safety knowledge in order to be safe. With many drownings being reported in the news each summer, it is imperative that we do whatever we can to ensure that our students know how to swim and safe practices around water.
The costs, including transportation to and from lessons can be quite costly, but at Evergreen we do not leave students out of any activity if cost the barrier. In order for us to maintain this great program, we are now looking elsewhere to help fund our students.
Here's how you or your business can help!
If you are interested in sponsoring a swimmer to participate in Red Cross swim lessons, make a donation of $25 per swimmer. Challenge your co-workers or your family to match your donation!
Come by the school or join us Oct 5th at the Kenora Farmer's Market to make your donation.
We thank our community for the on-going generosity and care!!
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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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2017-2018 School Year Calendar Survey
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY FOR FAMILIES
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY FOR STAFF
The Regional School Year Calendar Committee is once again looking for input from families and staff around start/end dates for the 2017-2018 school year. Please click on the links above to fill out the quick survey.
The survey will be open until December 9, 2016. Should you have any questions, please contact Sheena Valley, Communications Officer, at sheena.valley@kpdsb.on.ca.
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KPDSB launches new application process for employment opportunities
Media Release - December 1, 2016
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) is launching a new platform for receiving applications for positions with the organization.
Apply To Education provides a paperless application system that streamlines the recruitment process for applicants by allowing them to fill out one application online and upload all of their supporting documents to complete their portfolio.
Beginning today, when individuals access www.kpdsb.on.ca/pages/view/employment-opportunities they will be directed to https://kpdsb.simplication.com/ to create a profile and apply for jobs. Additionally, job seekers can request to receive e-mail alerts when a new job is advertised for the Board. There is no cost to applicants to utilize this service.
The use of Apply To Education will replace previous procedures for applying for jobs and being hired within the KPDSB. This platform will also provide additional services within the Board, including management of absences for staff as well as internal job postings.
Jocelyn Bullock, Human Resources Manager stated “We are excited to move forward with this project and look forward to the new working relationship with Apply to Education to improve the overall experiences of potential future employees and current staff”.
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