Achieve
Provide programs and supports so that every student can achieve high levels of personal and academic excellence.
Research and implement wise practices in all we do.
Provide opportunities for student-centred growth and development.
Provide relevant, inclusive, accessible, engaging and responsive learning environments.
February 2023
To mark the one-year anniversary of the Ontario Human Rights Commission Right To Read report, we are pleased to report on our implementations of the OHRC’s recommendations.
Background
In October 2019, building on previous work on accessible education, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) launched a public inquiry into human rights issues facing students with reading disabilities in Ontario’s public education system. The OHRC worked with two experts in reading development and reading disabilities, Dr. Linda Siegel and Dr. Jamie Metsala, to analyze significant information obtained from a representative sample of eight English-language public school boards, all 13 Ontario English-language public faculties of education, and the Ministry of Education (Ministry).
On February 28, 2022, the OHRC released the Right to Read Report, outlining the scope and methodology of the inquiry, descriptions of experiences of students and families (including those who identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit), and a list of 157 recommendations for the Ministry of Education, School Boards, and educators.
Situation
While the Ministry of Education has yet to release a revised curriculum and other supporting documents, Lakehead Public Schools has made significant strides towards implementing important recommendations from the report, specifically in the areas of curriculum and programming, and supports for students with learning disabilities.
The progress made to date aligns with both the recommendations of the OHRC report, as well as information and indicators coming from the Ministry of Education.
Next Steps
Funds have been allocated for the purchase of student and teacher resources to support a revised, structured literacy program in the primary grades, as well as supports for older students struggling with reading. These purchases will be made in time for implementation in the 2023-2024 school year.
Funds have been allocated for the continued use of the program, Lexia. This is an evidence-based reading program used in all grade 2 and grade 2/3 classrooms as a tier 1 intervention. Lexia also continues to be used as a tier 2 intervention through the purchase of additional licenses by the special education department. This will be continued and expanded in the 2023-2024 school year.
For 2022-2023 school year, EmpowerTM Reading, a tier 3 reading intervention program, was implemented at every elementary school for those students who need interventions of increased intensity. We continue to explore tier 3 intervention program options at the secondary level for implementation in the 2023-2024 school year.
The program and special education departments are working in collaboration to research and plan for a Multi-Tiered Student Support System (MTSS), which will be completed by June of this year. The MTSS will provide schools with a tiered pyramid of intervention for students that starts at the classroom level and will include increasing levels of intervention strategies.
While we wait on the curriculum and other resources from the Ministry of Education, pilot projects focused on early screening tools and assessments will help determine program screening needs for the fall.
We know that with the implementation of the changes recommended in the Right to Read report, fewer students will need a referral for learning assessments. Until full implementation of the recommendations, we will continue to commit to the approval of early psychoeducational assessments to identify a learning disability.
Conclusion
Lakehead Public Schools has responded strongly and positively to the recommendations from the OHRC Right to Read report, focusing on training and resources in the Science of Reading. As more clear direction, resources and supports are provided by the Ministry of Education, we will establish strong programming and intervention strategies to ensure the reading success of every student.
Kingsway Park Public School and the Lakehead Virtual Elementary School know to foster effective methods of intervention and teaching to meet the needs of every student. Grade 2 mathematics this year involved using Math Talks, problem solving, and partner tasks to consolidate math reasoning skills. The students learned risk taking and developed the ability to use new and sound math strategies to solve a problem with baskets of tomatoes.
The Nor’wester View Public School community gathered for a drumming session performed by Elder Orville Councillor, fellow students from Algonquin Avenue Public School and their principal Mr. Darren Lentz. The teaching behind the drumming was that the drum represents our heartbeat. Together, the school community heard its power in their bodies, through the gym, the hallways, and the classrooms. Students report it being magical and very powerful. Then the school community read the story ‘Together We Drum, Our Heart Beats as One’. The story was about an Anishinaabe girl who shares her journey and overcomes many obstacles with the support of drumming. She teaches the reader that the ‘best of the drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth’. That the drum has spirit and connects us all together. The students and staff learned to respect the drum and allow it to give them confidence and to support them in achieving their dreams. Afterwards, the students reflected on when they needed to show confidence in their lives, and on the dreams they have. The ambitions were displayed together on a wall showing how their hearts beat as one.
March 2023 Educators, families, and administrators strive to encourage academic achievement in students of all ages. The staff and community members associated with Kakabeka Falls Public School are proud to foster and create engaging and innovative learning environments at the school. This spring, Kakabeka Falls Public School students received an outpouring of support and encouragement from the school community and partners as they organized their in-school science fair. The students showcased their science fair projects and practiced their presentation skills to a volunteer panel of judges consisting of community members in preparation for the regional science fair in April. The student scientists featured projects including plant filtrations systems, elevators, dog booties, volcanoes, food sustainability systems, and more. The school was grateful to Mrs. Benham and Mrs. Cross for leading the initiative and to the volunteer judges from Ontario Parks, Parks Canada, Lakehead University, Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, NorWest Community Health Centres, and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation
March 2023
Grade 9 and 10 math students from Westgate CVI learned about local northern artists in the NWO, NOW Juried Exhibition at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and got to vote for their favourite. Students completed dot paintings inspired from the Waabigwanii-we-Aadizookewinan: Legends of the Flowers breechcloth and made mathematical connections (symmetry, patterning, geometry, and area) to their art. Lakehead Public Schools recognizes that enhanced community partnerships foster student success and a sense of community in schools. We value our partnerships and are grateful for the inspiration and knowledge they share with students.
Secondary school department chairs meet regularly throughout the school year to plan and implement initiatives that support student success and well-being. Under the direction of central Program staff, and alongside school administrators, their focus on effective instructional practices, assessment and evaluation, and inclusive learning environments ensures the continued success of students across all grades and subject areas.
February 2023
Lakehead Public Schools is committed to providing opportunities for student-centred growth and development, as well as supporting students in achieving high levels of personal and academic excellence. Superior Collegiate & Vocational Institute is proud of all its students, and is very pleased to celebrate the recent accomplishments of student David Harris who won the Local Prize ($500), the Regional Prize ($250) and the District Prize ($1,000) in the District 5580 Four-Way Test Essay Contest.
May 2023
Lakehead Public Schools believes it is important to provide students with the opportunity to see themselves reflected in school experiences. For Westgate CVI’s concert band students, offering live musical performances did just that. This spring, the band put on a fantastic show in a very public setting – Intercity Shopping Centre.
The band was led by music teacher Mr. Thomas Cashmore and was composed of Grade 10, 11, and 12 students. Together, they used woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments to play recognizable pop and R&B music. They played songs from varying decades to appeal to everyone in the crowd. The spectators included family, friends, and shoppers who very much enjoyed the catchy tunes including Y.M.C.A and Don’t Feel the Reaper. The band was pleased to share the joy of live music with the audience.
The band will continue to offer live musical performances, including at Westgate CVI’s graduation ceremony at the Community Auditorium.
The Right to Read report was released in February 2022. Since then, Lakehead Public Schools has done a number of things to respond to the recommendations in the report. The following videos illustrate the actions we have taken to adapt reading instruction and ensure we are better meeting the literacy needs of the students.
Literacy instruction includes a focus on phonemic awareness instruction. The Heggerty phonemic awareness program was purchased for all Kindergarten to Grad 2 classrooms and Pratique Phonémique was purchased for all Kindergarten to Grade 2 French Immersion classrooms. Instruction is informed by a diagnostic phonemic awareness assessment. Explicit, systematic phonemic awareness instruction takes place whole class, small group and occasionally one-on-one, based on the needs of students. The use of digital versions of these resources is helpful in modelling what phonemic awareness lessons look like. Students are given multiple opportunities to practice and apply the skills taught.
Literacy instruction at Lakehead Public School also includes a focus on phonics instruction. We have reinvested in the use of the Jolly Phonics program in the early years. Jolly Phonics for the whiteboard was purchased for all schools as well as Jolly Phonics support materials. Instruction is informed by a diagnostic phonics assessment. Explicit, systematic phonics instruction takes place whole class, small group and occasionally one-on-one as well, based on the needs of students. The use of the Jolly Phonics digital platform allows phonics instruction to be interactive and engaging for students. Students are given multiple opportunities to practice and apply the skills taught.
With changes to literacy instruction, the systematic, explicit instruction that is happening will help better meet the needs of students and reduce the number of students who will require interventions outside of the classroom.
Winter 2023
At St. James Public School, there is a strong focus around expanding learning opportunities for students who may not have access to various co-curricular activities. Overcoming barriers and helping youth access fun and educational activities is a foundational principle of the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and a priority for the school. The school applied for the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Community Development Grant and received funding to offer ice skating training to the whole school on a 12-week program. The school’s Jumpstart Athletic Enrichment Program engages the volunteer involvement of important community members – the Thunder Bay North Stars and the Boys and Girls Club of Thunder Bay, and together, they formed an incredible team to offer the enriching opportunity to learn ice skating from professionals.
St. James Public School staff coordinated the project and were pleased to have certified trainer and staff member Mr. Vince Tropea as lead instructor to offer this opportunity. St. James Public School is proud to witness students improve their skating abilities alongside community role models in an environment that fosters sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun.
The school is grateful to its community partners for their commitment to the students and for helping to break down barriers so all students can achieve the experience of ice skating at a young age.
Lakehead Public Schools provides students with access to technology for the purpose of enhancing classroom teaching and learning. To support student engagement and success, all Grade 9 students are provided with a laptop for school use. Classroom instruction includes activities that support the use of technology, and the online availability of learning materials ensures access to daily learning across all subject areas and grades.
March 2023
The Grade 6/7 students at Kakabeka Falls Public School participated in “whiteboard math” this year as an initiative to implement Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms strategy of using non- permanent vertical writing surfaces and randomized groupings in the classroom to engage students into learning. At the beginning of the year, the school had whiteboards installed on the walls of classrooms to encourage students to work together and collaborate. The students were given the success criteria for working together on whiteboards which focused on participation, appropriate conduct, and beneficial use of time. With the criteria in place, students were able to start working collaboratively on math. Soon, they were looking forward to finding out their group of the day and getting started. Standing up allows them to move around while they are working, and the whiteboards are a great non-intimidating method for students to show their work and try new strategies. This method of doing math has allowed collaboration of students with diverse learning levels and needs to work together. The students in the school were eager to try new math challenges and work on math concepts on their whiteboards. The engagement and confidence in math has increased this year by implementing Building Thinking Classrooms in the school.
Kingsway Park Public School’s Grade 4/5 class learned about different ways of reporting news and turned the lesson into a creative writing assignment. The students selected real life and made-up events and created a newsletter to inform and entertain their reader. One student took a real life event of a spilled coffee and created a hilarious rendition of the unfortunate event.
May 2023
At the end of May, 60 Grade 8 band students from seven schools formed one giant orchestra to put on a fantastic concert at Ecole Elsie MacGill Public School. Music students from Woodcrest Public School, Algonquin Avenue Public School, Ecole Elsie McGill Public School, Vance Chapman Public School, Kingsway Park Public School, Nor’wester View Public School, and Westmount Public School assembled to performed together. Students played the tuba, saxophone, trombone, clarinet, flute, drums, and keyboard. Lakehead Public Schools strives to offer experiential learning to all students to foster success in various aspects of academics. The school music program often sparks inspiration and the motivation to explore the art deeper. We are pleased to provide programs and supports from which students can achieve high levels of personal and academic excellence.
May 2023
May 10th was Bear Witness Day, an important date in the history of Jordan’s Principle. At Nor’wester View Public School, the students were taught the meaning of today and the importance of equality. The students honoured this day through various activities, including a school-wide reflection on “wishes for all kids”, a blue persian fundraiser to support the Mikinakoos Children’s Fund, a school-wide reading and discussion of the book “Spirit Bear and Children Make History”, sewing teddy bears in class, making bear crowns, and much more. The Kindergarten class even made fruit salad and enjoyed it at a picnic with their bears. 💙
Jordan’s Principle is a legal rule named in memory of Jordan River Anderson who was a First Nations child who tragically passed away in Manitoba in 2005. Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle that aims to eliminate service inequities and delays for First Nations children. The teddy bear has come to symbolize the fight against the discrimination of First Nations children, youth, and their families.
French Language programs remain a priority at the Board. The goal of French Immersion and Core French programs is to develop proficiency in French and English, and to have an understanding and appreciation of French culture. Learning French not only strengthens students’ ability to communicate but also helps to develop appreciation and respect for the diversity of Canadian and global societies.
This year, volunteer Grade 8 French Immersion, Grade 12 French Immersion, and Core French students had the opportunity to challenge the DELF exam. The DELF is an internationally recognized certificate awarded by the French National Ministry of Education to certify the French-language competency of candidates whose first language is not French. Lakehead Public Schools continues as a proud partner in the Centre DELF-DALF du Nord Ouest Ontario (Accredited Testing Centre) providing the opportunity for interested individuals to challenge the DELF exam.
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