Sports Days

Come to cheer on the Ignace Falcons.  The next home games are scheduled for Tuesday, November 27 and Thursday, November 29th.

Grades 4-6 Volleyball is scheduled in Dryden on Tuesday, November 27th.
Grades 7 & 8 Volleyball is scheduled in Dryden on Wednesday, November 28th.

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EQAO results released - KPDSB schools achieve historic results

Media Release - September 21, 2018

On September 19, 2018, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released the 2017-2018 results for primary and junior assessments in reading, writing and mathematics.

The EQAO results aid us in exploring different aspects of our students learning and understanding some of the factors that contribute to their overall success.  They are another tool staff can use to identify where students are excelling and what areas students may need additional support. 

EQAO Results for the KPDSB

Primary and Junior Assessments - Students at or Above Provincial Standard (Levels 3 & 4)

* The results above are from the Participating Students results.  EQAO releases All Students results, which are results for all students in the grade, and Participating Students results, which are results for only those students who took part in the assessment. 

Highlights of KPDSB 2017-2018 EQAO Results:

• Students at Red Lake-Madsen Public School achieved historic results, with their highest results on record in Grade 3 Reading, Writing and Mathematics for students achieving level 3 or 4 on the assessments.  2017-2018 results for Red Lake-Madsen were above the provincial average in all Grade 3 assessments, with 94% of students in achieving level 3 or 4 in Reading, Writing and Math (compared to 77%, 74% and 62% for the provincial averages respectively).
• Students at Sioux Mountain Public School in Sioux Lookout also achieved their highest results on record in Grade 3 Reading and Writing, and Grade 6 Reading.  The school’s 2017-2018 results were above the provincial average in Grade 3 Reading (78% of students achieving level 3 or 4, compared to provincial average of 77%) and Grade 3 Writing (76% of students reaching level 3 or 4, compared to the province at 74%). 
• Evergreen Public School in Kenora had 76% of their students in Grade 3 Writing achieve level 3 or 4, above the provincial average of 74%.  Grade 6 Writing assessments just missed the provincial average, with 80% of students achieving level 3 or 4, compared to 82% at the provincial level.
• Open Roads Public School in Dryden achieved above the provincial average in all Grade 3 assessments, and Grade 6 Reading and Writing assessments.  88% of students in Grade 3 Reading (provincial average is 77%), 96% in Grade 3 Writing (provincial average is 74%) and 85% in Grade 3 Mathematics (provincial average is 62%) achieved the provincial standard. 

**The results referenced above are from the Participating Students results.  EQAO releases All Students results, which are results for all students in the grade, and Participating Students results, which are results for only those students who took part in the assessment. 

The 2017-2018 school year brought with it a focus on a handful of schools to support teachers and students, resulting in historic achievements for some schools, including Red Lake-Madsen and Sioux Mountain. By using the 2016-2017 EQAO results and other assessment data, additional human resources and professional development opportunities were provided to identified focus schools.  Increased regular school visits by central support staff and networking between staff to share best practices can also be attributed to gains made in the provincial assessments.  Following these successes, the number of focus schools for the 2018-2019 school year has been expanded. 

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, stated “Overall we are very pleased with our results and improvements in most areas.  Of particular note are some of the historic increases in achievement on these provincial assessments amidst some of our most challenging circumstances.  The credit to these improvements must be given to the leadership in schools and most particularly our classroom teachers everywhere, who exhaustively give day in and day out of themselves.  We recognize there continues to be more to do, particularly in math, but in the meantime, we will celebrate these gains, and assess what we have changed and why it is working.”

***Please note that EQAO results for some schools with smaller class sizes are not released to protect the personal information of students in those classes.  Either all or some of the assessments for the following schools will not be publicly released: Ear Falls Public School, Crolancia Public School (Pickle Lake), Ignace Public School, Keewatin Public School, Lillian Berg Public School (Vermilion Bay), Savant Lake Public School, Sioux Narrows Public School and Upsala Public School.

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KPDSB recognized at 2018 Indspire National Gathering for Indigenous Education

Media Release - November 12, 2018

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board’s Four Directions Graduation Coach approach has once again been recognized by Indspire at their 2018 National Gathering for Indigenous Education.

Tania Sterling, KPDSB Superintendent of Education, accepted the Indspire Nurturing Capacity: Documenting Community Success plaque on November 9, at the gathering in Edmonton, Alberta.  The distinction was awarded to the KPDSB and Dryden High School’s Four Directions Graduation Coach approach for demonstrating a positive impact on the success of K-12 Indigenous students in the community.  The recognition from Indspire was the result of a research paper by Sean Lessard, PhD, at the University of Alberta, looking into the impact of the Four Directions Graduation Coach approach in KPDSB schools. 

Laura Arndt, Indspire VP of Education, stated “I was pleased to present the plaque to honour the work the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is doing to build success for Indigenous youth in K-12 education and bridge the critical healing work of reconciliation within education.  Your work is part of the planting of seeds that are focused on systemic change and increasing positive outcomes for Indigenous students across the country.”

Sterling added “It was an honour to receive this plaque which recognizes the commitment and leadership of our Four Directions FNMI Graduation Coaches who collaborate with teams of caring adults in our schools and communities to positively impact Indigenous student success in the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board. We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this research and share our journey with others.”

 Background

Four Directions provides intensive support to First Nation, Métis and Inuit students and their families with the goal of seeing each learner through to graduation. Four Directions staff assist with leading and implementing programs and connecting students and families to support services within the school and the greater community to increase each learners network of support throughout and beyond high school. Dryden High School was the first school within the KPDSB to implement Four Directions, celebrating a 41% increase to 80% of Indigenous students graduating in four years after four years of coaching.

Indspire is a national Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. Their vision is to enrich Canada through Indigenous education and by inspiring achievement. In partnership with Indigenous, private and public sector stakeholders, Indspire educates, connects and invests in Indigenous people so they will achieve their highest potential.

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Trustees honoured at last meeting of current Board, receive reports on enrolment, special education and capital projects

Media Release - November 15, 2018

Trustees met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, for the final board meeting for the 2014-2018 Board of Trustees. 

KPDSB staff and administration recognized the important contributions of several members of the 2014-2018 Board of Trustees who will not be returning to the Board for the 2018-2022 term.  Board Chair Dave Penney was recognized following 33 years of service and dedication to students and staff in the Northwest.  Trustee George Seaton was also recognized posthumously through the presentation of a gift on behalf of the Board of Trustees and staff to Phyllis Seaton (George’s wife) for George’s unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for youth for the past 40 years.  Trustees Dave Wilkinson and Lesley Barnes were also recognized for their efforts and work with the Board.

The November Kids Come First presentation titled ‘Connecting for Student Success – Open Roads Public School’ was received by Trustees.  Principal Tanis Oberg and First Nation, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) Family Support Worker Adi Lang were accompanied by current and former Open Roads students and their families who shared their experiences at the school and the impact of the FNMI Family Support Worker position.  The unique role of the Open Roads Family Support Worker is to make connections with students and their families so that they feel that they can be successful not only at school but within the community.  The FNMI Family Support Worker is able to provide a wide variety of supports, depending on individual needs of families, including acting as a liaison between the family and the school by providing one point of contact, supporting regular attendance through constant open communication, connecting families with school/board and community services, and supporting families through any transitions they may be experiencing, whether that’s into or out of the school, or between classrooms/programs.

Joan Kantola, Superintendent of Human Resources and Special Education, presented the 2018-2019 Special Education Plan.  The plan guides the work of schools and the Board in terms of supporting and enhancing special education services.  Areas of focus for the plan include providing programs and services in the student’s home school wherever possible (including appropriate accommodations and modifications), promoting a focus on inclusive practices in schools and respect for differences and diversity, providing a range of placement options for students, and collaboration with curriculum central support staff to ensure support for the development of quality programs and provision of services for all students.  Kantola also shared that the Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee is looking for new members, interested individuals are encouraged to visit this link for more information.

Richard Findlay, Superintendent of Business, presented the 2018-2019 Enrolment Report.  Enrolment continues to show an upward trend overall in the KPDSB.  Elementary schools reported an increase of 37 students in total from the 2017-2018 school year, with secondary schools reporting a decrease of 23 students Board-wide.  A highlight in the enrolment picture was Beaver Brae Secondary School in Kenora with an increase of 30 students between the elementary and secondary panels, resulting in the addition of one full classroom and an additional teacher at the elementary level.  Overall, the Board’s total enrolment for the 2018-2019 school year is 4,841 students (projections for the year were 4,827).

Findlay also presented the 2018-2019 Capital Projects Report.  Using School Condition Improvement funding, the KPDSB has 28 million in capital projects for this school year.  As Sioux North High School in Sioux Lookout nears completion, the total renovation of Ear Falls Public School takes centre stage.  At a cost of $5 million, construction at the school will see the total renovation of the building split into two phases.  Phase 1 is set to begin in February 2019, with Phase 2 beginning in May 2019.  The project is expected to be complete by September 2019.  Also listed under Major Capital Projects is a renovation to Beaver Brae Secondary School’s technology wing.  The total cost of the technology wing renovations will be $6 million and will upgrade the welding, transportation, Grade 7/8 technology, communications and hospitality rooms/spaces.  Construction will begin in February 2019 with project completion anticipated for February 2020 (certain areas will be ready well before that date).  To view the capital projects report, please visit this link.

 From left to right: Lesley Barnes, Dave Penney, Phyllis Seaton, Sean Monteith and Dave Wilkinson.

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PA DAY

There will be no classes on Monday, Nov. 26.  Staff will be involved in Professional Development Activities.

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