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.

Weave current and future trends and experiential learning with already successful practices.

Provide opportunities for student-centred growth and development.

Foster effective interventions to meet the needs of every student.
Ensure students see themselves reflected in school experiences.

Provide relevant, inclusive, accessible, engaging and responsive learning environments.

Promote and support an equity of outcomes for every student.
Incorporate and implement Indigenous worldviews and knowledges throughout curriculum and educational environments.
Foster and create engaging and innovative learning environments.
Provide culturally competent pedagogy.

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Powerful Message

Grade 7s and 8 headed to Ecole Elsie MacGill Public School to hear a powerful presentation on the dangers of drugs and gang life. Los Angeles actor and musician Henry “HC Redcloud” Andrade came to the school to present voices of Resilience: Gang Prevention Through Experience. It was meaningful, real and provided students a glimpse of the effects of choices but also how to make positive change. Thanks to our Community Police Officers for bringing this presentation to all intermediates in Thunder Bay.

Take Our Kids to Work Day

Lakehead Public Schools students from remote First Nations who didn’t have the opportunity to head to work with a parent or guardian in October went to the Carpenters & Joiners Local 1669 Training Centre to make their own game. Thank you Local 1669 and a special shout out to Westgate’s Oakley for being an awesome mentor!

Sensory Friendly Sports

Students, staff and some family members from Westmount Public School, Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute, Hammarskjold High School, Vance Chapman Public School and Kingsway Park Public School were at the Fort William Gardens in January to cheer on the Thunder Bay North Stars at a sensory friendly hockey game. Big thanks to our friends with the North Stars for inviting us and creating a hockey atmosphere for all to enjoy!!

Giving Back

It was an epic November day at RFDA for Grade 6 and 7 students at Crestview Public School! They arrived with positivity, Yellowjacket smiles and determination and were able to make and bake 1,000 cookies from scratch in under 3 hours! The treats were included in December food hampers along with their handcrafted cards with words of holiday spirit and encouragement.

Introducing LPS Edge: Excellence in Hockey and Academics

Lakehead Public Schools is pleased to announce its elite LPS Edge: Excellence in Hockey and Academics skills academy. Beginning in September, students entering Grade 9 will have the opportunity to take part in an innovative pilot project that will see them build on their hockey skills while still having the ability to receive the top-shelf secondary school education Lakehead Public Schools offers. “This pilot program is the latest in a number of pathways to graduation Lakehead Public Schools continues to offer for students who want to focus on their passion and specialized skills without sacrificing a quality, well-rounded education,” said Lakehead Public Schools Director of Education Sherri-Lynne Pharand.

“LPS Edge will allow students to reach their full potential both on the ice and off academically in a safe, supervised environment and we know the program will be as successful as the achievements of the students participating.”

The pilot program will be offered to a total of 60 co-ed students entering Grade 9 who already have significant experience in the hockey community. Eligible students will participate in a total of 80 to 100 hours of on-ice instruction with some of Thunder Bay’s best hockey skills coaches thanks to a partnership with the Thunder Bay Kings, a member of Thunder Bay Minor Hockey Association, along with qualified Lakehead Public Schools educators. On-ice learning, along with skills development and strength conditioning, will count as two Physical Education credits toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, the rest of the credits will be taken in a conventional classroom setting at either Hammarskjold High School or Westgate CVI. Students will still be able to take advantage of the full slate of programming, education, sports and activities offered by Lakehead Public Schools.

“The Thunder Bay Kings are very excited to partner with LPS in offering the on-ice instruction component of the LPS Edge: Excellence in Hockey and Academics. It is so important to provide students with opportunities to focus on their sport of choice, allowing them to hone their skills to reach their hockey dreams,” said Thunder Bay Kings’ president Brent Rau.

While initially a pilot program for Grade 9 students entering the 2025/26 academic year, Lakehead Public Schools plans to continue the program to offer a complete LPS Edge experience throughout a student’s entire high school journey at Lakehead Public Schools.

Rock Your Socks

C.D Howe Public School and all across Lakehead Public Schools celebrated World Down Syndrome Day by participating in Rock Your Socks in March. This global event encourages everyone to wear their loudest, wildest and most fun pair of mismatched socks to raise awareness and advocate for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down Syndrome.

Environmental SHSM

Lakehead Public Schools was really excited to launch its new Environment Specialist High Skills Major program at Superior Collegiate & Vocational Institute in April. This exciting program will guide students through high school with courses that centre around the environment and includes a co-op placement in senior grades. That means real, hands-on learning and a chance to explore future careers in this growing and important field. The school launched it in celebration of Earth Day – officially recognized each year on April 22nd – a day that reminds us how important it is to care for our planet and commit to protecting it for future generations, by giving our students a taste of what learning in a SHSM might look like, experiencing learning in different ways, across different disciplines. At Superior, environmental causes aren’t just a one-day event—they’re a part of who they are. From Fridays for Future, gardening club, Outers club initiatives to daily efforts to reduce their impact, they take this work seriously. We are excited to work with our community partners to develop this new SHSM to deliver learning that is authentic and engaging and shows our students potential pathways for them after graduation.

Additional Basic Qualification

We are proud to continue our collaboration with Lakehead University to provide additional mathematics qualifications for educators. Thanks to ministry funding, these professional learning opportunities are subsidized, making them more accessible. Delivered by our experienced math coaches, the courses are closely aligned with the instructional strategies and resources we are implementing in classrooms. This year, we successfully reached our goal of having 100 teachers complete an Additional Basic Qualification (ABQ) in Mathematics.

Artificial Intelligence

This year, we introduced AI guidelines to support staff in navigating the evolving digital landscape responsibly and effectively. As part of this initiative, we partnered with Northern Ontario Education Leaders (NOEL) to offer professional development led by Future Design School. This training engaged a diverse group of staff members and laid the foundation for continued learning. We look forward to building on this important work in the fall.

Achievement in French as a Second Language

The Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) is an internationally recognized certification of proficiency in French for those learning French as an additional language. French language skills are evaluated in the four areas of oral comprehension, oral expression, written comprehension, and written expression. Obtaining DELF certification can open doors to post-secondary and employment opportunities, and it also serves as an official, internationally recognized testament to a student’s language learning journey and accomplishments.

This school year, 155 Grade 8 and Grade 12 students challenged one of the DELF exams. Félicitations!

Early Reading Screening

Educators made great progress this year in the implementation of early reading screening! Staff at the program department provided training and support for teachers so that they could screen all students from Year 2 Kindergarten to Grade 2. Early reading screening supports early identification of risks in students’ foundational reading skills, which, if not quickly and appropriately addressed, can be linked to future difficulties with fundamental literacy skills. Using the data from early reading screening (in conjunction with classroom-based assessments) can support teachers to provide targeted evidence-based reading instruction to all students to prevent or quickly address reading difficulties.

ACHIEVE