KPDSB launches new section of website for Mental Health supports, checks in on Capital Projects for 2017-18
Media Release - May 10, 2018
Trustees met at the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board’s Kenora Board Office on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, for a regular board meeting.
The May Kids Come First presentation titled ‘Students with Abilities and Special Education Co-op Program – Beaver Brae Secondary School’ was received by Trustees. Beaver Brae Secondary School’s Vice-Principal Lisa Achilles was joined by students and community members to talk to Trustees about a new Special Education Co-op being offered at Beaver Brae this school year. Goals of the program include preparing students for employment, and educating community employers on opportunities for hiring students and their ability to be valuable contributors to the employment sector. Community partnerships are crucial to the program, in particular is the school’s partnership with the Kenora Association of Community Living (KACL). Trustees heard firsthand the pride and enjoyment felt by the students, as well as the close bonds between the students, their mentors and program/school staff.
Candice Kerkermeier, Mental Health Lead, presented the Children’s Mental Health Update. Kerkermeier presented a new section on the KPDSB’s website for Mental Health resources and support in recognition of Mental Health Week (May 7-11). Included in the new section is links to:
- KPDSB Mental Health and Addictions Strategic Plan
- Mental Health Student Resources
- Mental Health Parent/Guardian Resources
- Mental Health Staff Resources
- Mental Health in Schools
- Mental Health Monthly Newsletter
- Trauma Informed Resources
- Crisis Supports (includes crisis phone numbers for youth and adults)
To view the entire section of the website, please visit *|SITE_URL|*pages/view/mental-health.
Steve Parker, Assistant Manager of Facility Planning and Development, presented the 2017-2018 Capital Projects Update. Parker updated Trustees on on-going and planned work on KPDSB classrooms and schools for the school year. Major projects include completion of Sioux North High School in Sioux Lookout, a major renewal of Beaver Brae Secondary School’s (Kenora) Technology wing, major renewal of Ear Falls Public School, and installing tunable LED lighting in all KPDSB schools. Parker also spoke to new applications available to monitor school and building systems to reduce utility consumption with an added benefit of classroom access to the application for teaching and learning, as well as work in a handful of elementary schools through the Childcare Capital Grant.
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Beaver Brae Bronco Cheerleaders to return to World Cheerleading Championships in Florida
Media Release - May 16, 2018
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board wishes to congratulate the Beaver Brae Bronco Cheerleaders and their coaches who will once again be representing the Manitoba Association of Cheerleading (MAC) and Northwestern Ontario at the 2019 High School World Cheerleading Championships at Disney World in Florida. The event takes place in February 2019.
In yet another milestone for the team, the Bronco Cheerleaders have received the Paid Bid to the event. The Paid Bid means that MAC will cover the costs of accommodations, park passes and all registration fees for the team. The Bronco Cheerleaders had previously received At Large Bids in 2017 and 2018 (meaning the cost to attend had to be covered by the team and/or school).
The Cheerleading Program at Beaver Brae expanded this school year to a team of 26 athletes, up from 19 during their previous visit to the world stage. To date, the team has won numerous events and awards, including their most recent gold medal at the MAC Provincials last weekend in Winnipeg and the highest score in Senior School Cheer.
Deb Allan, Head Coach for the Broncos Cheer Team, credits the team’s unprecedented achievement at previous World Championships and here at home to the hard work and dedication of each and every student on the team, the support of their families, teachers and Bronco Alumni coaches, as well as Beaver Brae’s Bronco Cheer Academy. Beaver Brae has also announced a new Artistic Sports Physical Education credit for the 2018-2019 school year.
Allan stated “The standards, expectations and opportunities that we provide through Bronco Cheerleading not only builds exceptional athletes and students, but also prepares these young women for perseverance and success in their future.”
Tracey Benoit, Principal of Beaver Brae Secondary School, added “Deb is a committed coach who has brought our Bronco Cheer Team to a world class level. She has an extensive background which has allowed her to mentor many Bronco Alumni and create a strong coaching community. Deb’s philosophy is one of inclusion where she focuses on creating a supportive and positive environment for her team. We’re proud of her and our hard working athletes and look forward to seeing them compete at the Worlds in 2019.”
Background
The Beaver Brae Bronco Cheerleaders won their first bid to the High School World Cheerleading Championships in February 2016. The team was adjudicated in Winnipeg by a representative from the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), and shortly after, the Broncos were invited by the International Cheer Union to enter a second event at the world championships called Game Day, making the BBSS Broncos the first international team to compete in the event.
During that first visit to the world stage, the Bronco Cheer Team won a Bronze medal in the Junior Varsity division and were a finalist in the Game Day championship, winning a Silver Nations Cup.
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Dryden High School’s Kieran McMonagle to speak to Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples
Media Release - May 31, 2018
Dryden High School’s Kieran McMonagle will testify before Canada’s Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples on June 6, 2018, in Ottawa as a part of an Indigenize the Senate event. McMonagle is the First Nation, Metis and Inuit Graduation Coach of the Four Directions program at Dryden High School.
2018 marks the third year for the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples to accept nominations to identify Indigenous youth leaders to share their experiences and thoughts with the committee during an official hearing. McMonagle was nominated by a colleague and was chosen to address the committee from applicants across the country. She will identify challenges and share success stories from her work with Indigenous youth in Northwestern Ontario.
McMonagle stated “Being recognized as an Indigenous Youth Leader at the national level is both an honour and a privilege. I am humbled to have been recognized by a colleague at Dryden High School and hope to influence positive change for Indigenous youth within the region.”
Richard Hodgkinson, Principal of Dryden High School, said “Kieran is a remarkable leader advocate for Indigenous youth across our region. She goes beyond listening, encouraging and helping guide students, she empowers them. The students she “coaches” know that they have someone who believes in them, who is there for them, and who deeply cares about them and their success. Kieran will be able to share the challenges and successes of our Indigenous youth and how working and learning together, we can help them succeed and develop a positive vision of their future.”
Sean Monteith, Director of Education, added “Knowing Kieran, and the way she supports her students, I am not surprised that someone of her calibre has been identified by the Senate of Canada’s Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples to share her leadership and experiences. She is not only a model employee of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, but more importantly a fierce advocate for students in her care. She represents everything that the KPDSB stands for in its approach towards Northern Children, that we put their needs first before our own. We continue to be very proud of our staff; like Kieran.”
Background
The Four Directions High School Graduation Coach approach started at Dryden High School in June of 2014. Four Directions offers First Nation, Metis, Inuit (FNMI) students the opportunity to work with Graduation Coaches who assist with leading and implementing programs, services and other supports to meet the unique needs of First Nation, Metis & Inuit students and their families, with a focus on student success and graduation. Since its inception, the Four Directions program has expanded to Beaver Brae Secondary School in Kenora, Queen Elizabeth District High School in Sioux Lookout, and Red Lake District High School. The program has received national attention for its success in supporting Indigenous students in reaching graduation.
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KPDSB celebrates 16 schools receiving Ophea Healthy Schools Certification
Media Release - June 4, 2018
Through a partnership with the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU), 16 Keewatin-Patricia District School Board schools have received Ophea Healthy Schools Certification, with 11 schools achieving gold level certification.
Ophea’s Healthy Schools Certification recognizes and celebrates school communities for promoting and enhancing the health and well-being of students, school staff, and the broader community. There are currently 238 schools in the province who have achieved the Healthy Schools Certification, 16 of which belong to the KPDSB. The KPDSB is also proud to note that 100% of secondary schools in the Board have achieved the certification.
Quotes:
“We are so excited to hear about all of the great work happening at the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board. To have 16 schools complete the process and certify gold or silver is an amazing accomplishment. That these schools were able to work with their communities and partner with other schools from their school board, for a total reach of 18 out of a total of 20 schools is even more impressive. Ophea is very excited to continue working with KPDSB and can’t wait to see what will be accomplished next school year.” - Sarah Christie, Bilingual Projects Leader, Ophea
“The Northwestern Health Unit is a proud partner of KPDSB in the Healthy Schools Certification process. The engagement and energy that each school has shown to achieve gold or silver certifications shows a Board-wide commitment to creating schools that support student and staff well-being. We look forward to continuing work with KPDSB and are happy to celebrate this significant achievement” - Shannon Robinson, Manager, Chronic Disease Prevention, Northwestern Health Unit
“This Healthy Schools Certification for KPDSB schools is more than just about healthy active living. If people take a few minutes to look at the graphics and the data on the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board they will see what the province sees; true leadership, a focus on supporting both students and staff, and a recognition that we need healthy staff to model for healthy students. The Board recognizes the importance of our staff’s personal well-being and is grateful to the Northwestern Health for its leadership and support.” - Sean Monteith, Director of Education, Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
*Please see the accompanying Healthy Schools Certification Board Report for more information.
Ophea is a charitable organization that champions healthy, active living in schools and communities through quality programs and services, partnerships and advocacy, and is led by the vision that all children and youth value and enjoy the lifelong benefits of healthy, active living.
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Job Posting - Superintendent of Indigenous Education and Reconciliation
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is looking for a strong, dynamic individual with extensive experience in educational administration and strong innovative leadership in the area of Indigenous Education. Please click here to view the job posting.
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