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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KPDSB appoints New Superintendents of Education, Human Resources

Media Release - February 14, 2017

Trustees of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board are pleased to announce the appointment of Tania Sterling to Superintendent of Education with responsibility for Secondary Schools and Student Success effective August, 2017; and the appointment of Joan Kantola, currently Superintendent of Education, to the new position of Superintendent of Human Resources and Special Education effective April 1, 2017.

The appointments mark a further significant milestone in the Board’s restructuring of its administration and executive teams. Supported by the Efficacy work that has been underway for the past four years and taking place across the board and schools, these changes also secure strong succession planning for the future.  

Dr. Sterling made the following comments about her new appointment “Over the past few years, I have developed strong relationships with staff and a deep understanding of the goals that lie ahead. I look forward to the challenges and opportunities offered by this new position with KPDSB.”

“I am very appreciative and humbled to be assuming my new role” said Joan Kantola with regards to her new appointment.  “I have great respect for our current Human Resources staff and I look forward to working alongside the department to ensure we maintain the highest level of customer service for our entire system.  I am looking forward to building a collaborative working relationship with Tania in her new role in our efforts to continue to put students first.”

Dave Penney, Board Chair, said “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are extremely pleased to welcome Tania, knowing that her qualifications will no doubt be a great asset and that she will help to strengthen what we know is already an incredibly strong executive leadership team here at the KPDSB.  We look forward to working with Tania and Joan in their new appointments.”

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, added “With the appointment of Tania Sterling to our team and the experience that she brings with her; and the appointment of Joan to a new realm of responsibility, the KPDSB has taken the last major step towards its end-goal of a system-reorganization. Capitalizing on the new external expertise Tania brings, and supported by the reassignment of existing assets and experiences Joan, Caryl Hron, Dean Carrie, and Kathleen O’Flaherty possess, as Director of Education I could not be more pleased. This is tremendous for the KPDSB; there is simply a lot of gratification being felt today.”

Dr. Tania Sterling comes to the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board with over 22 years of instructional and educational leadership experience in Ontario. She has designed and facilitated face-to-face and online professional learning in K12, higher education, and corporate settings. In June 2013, Tania assumed the Vice President, Efficacy role at Pearson Canada to ensure its products and services had a measurable impact on learners. Her most rewarding system improvement work has involved collaborating with educators and leaders in K12 school districts in Northwestern Ontario and the Ministry of Education in Nunavut to support the unique needs of FNMI learners. In her free time, Tania enjoys cooking, yoga, and spending time outdoors. She and her husband Kevin keep busy schedules coordinating visits with their two sons Kurtis and Jack who are attending university, and cheering their daughter Julia on during her competitive dance season. 

Joan Kantola has been the Superintendent of Education with the KPDSB since 2013 when she assumed responsibility for the Board’s Special Education and Elementary Schools’ Programming. Recently Joan successfully completed the Rotman School of Business Strategic Executive Human Resources Management Program, with the University of Toronto.

Joan and Tania will work alongside Caryl Hron Superintendent of Elementary Education, Early Learning and Instruction; Dean Carrie, Superintendent of Business; Kathleen O’Flaherty, Assistant Superintendent of Business; and Director of Education Sean Monteith.

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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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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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Kenora’s Beaver Brae Bronco Cheerleaders win Bronze at World Championships in Florida

Media Release - March 8, 2017

The staff, administration and Trustees of the KPDSB wish to acknowledge the incredible achievements of Beaver Brae Secondary School’s (BBSS) Bronco Cheerleaders at the High School World Cheerleading Championships at Disney World in Florida this month.

The BBSS Cheer Team, made up of 19 student athletes in grades 7-12, travelled to Florida mid-February to compete in the Junior Varsity Division after winning their bid to the High School World Cheerleading Championships in February 2016 from the Manitoba Association of Cheerleading.

In December 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.

We are proud to announce the Beaver Brae Broncos Cheer Team won a bronze medal in the World Junior Varsity Non Tumbling finals.  Their placing helped earn the Canadian teams a silver in the Nations Cup. The Broncos also placed seventh overall in the U.S. Nationals Game Day event in the Junior Varsity division earning the Bronco Cheerleaders a Silver Nations Ranking.

Deb Allan, Head Coach for the Broncos Cheer Team, credits the team’s unprecedented achievement at the world stage to the hard work and dedication of each and every student on the team, the support of their families, teachers and coaches, and Beaver Brae’s Bronco Cheer Academy. 

Allan stated “This opportunity provided for our team was such an honour and it was a very proud moment to be Canadian and a Bronco.  The girls demonstrated such strength and composure at every single step and showed that they belonged on that Worlds Stage.  Our Bronco Cheerleaders looked great in purple, white and Bronze and are now a nationally and internationally recognized school program in North America.  Congratulations girls, this is an achievement you can carry with you for the rest of your lives and we’re very proud of you.”

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