Board Meeting Highlights

October 2, 2007

• Student Trustee, Meredith Ivall, took the Oath of Office and was welcomed by the Board.
• Board recognized the Rainy River Strengthening Families for the Future Program. The program is an example of how school and community work together to support the students and their families.
• Assistant to the Director, Linda Hill, provided a report on the Grades 3 & 6 EQAO results. Linda noted that North Star Community School was earned a Success Story acknowledgement from EQAO for the school's dramatic improvement in its test results.
• Superintendent of Education, Heather Campbell, and Secondary Curriculum Coordinator, Beth Fairfield, presented a report on the Grade 9 EQAO test results. Overall, the students continue to improve their achievement on the Grade 9 Provincial Mathematics Assessment.
• Trustee, Ron McAlister, provided an update from the Policy Committee meeting held on September 19, 2007. The Board approved 2 policies for stakeholder consultation.
• Dan Belluz, Chair, provided an update from the Special Education Advisory Committee meeting held on September 19, 2007. Highlights included a CODE grant, and Strengthening Families for the Future.
• Trustee, Judy Eluik, provided an update from the Finance Committee meeting held on September 25, 2007.The Board approved several recommendations from the September Finance Committee meeting.
• Trustee, Judy Eluik, provided an update from the Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA). Highlights included discussion about the Spirit of Mandela Week in spring, and that elections of an OPSBA President were decided to be held on November 30, 2007. At the Northern Directors' meeting, the Bernadine Yackman Award was awarded to former Rainy River District School Board Trustee, Gord McBride.
• Student Trustee Meredith Ivall provided an update on activities taking place at the high schools.
• Trustee, Gary Allen, thanked Director of Education, Jack McMaster for Jack's System Plan presentation to the Chiefs.
• Chair, Dan Belluz, congratulated staff for the work that was done on the Rainy River High School facility.
• Director of Education Jack McMaster reported he, along with Assistant to the Director Brent Tookenay and Superintendent of Education Heather Campbell, attended the OPSO symposium. Jack McMaster stated that Linda Hill will be looking after Capacity Building and he thanked Senior Administration, Casey Slack and Kerri Tolen for the work they'll be doing as a result of Linda Hill's assignment. The Director noted that Huffman School was recognized by the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, and that North Star Community School was recognized by EQAO. Regionally, a more focused approach to oral language is in the works. Within the Board, the Director made a presentation to the First Nations Chiefs. There will be 3 System Plan presentations this fall. The Board is compliant with Primary Class Size regulations. October 5 is World Teacher Day. Fall Harvest is being held on October 3, 4, and 5 at Seven Generations Education Institute, and on October 4 at Big Grassy.
• Human Resources Administrator, Diane Ross, provided an update on the October 2007 Personnel Report.
• Superintendent of Education, Heather Campbell provided a report on Credit Recovery. Credit Recovery helps students to earn the credits they have previously failed to achieve, as they develop the learning skills needed for academic success.
• Assistant to the Director, Brent Tookenay, presented a report on Emergency Response - Ontario Provincial Police Lockdown Procedure.
• Communications Officer, Darlene Madill, presented a slideshow on the Rainy River District School Board's history.