LEAD

Exemplary Leader Awards

As part of the Leaders @ Lakehead Public Schools campaign, Principals Shannon Jessiman and Megan Smelow have initiated the Exemplary Leader Award to show appreciation to staff members in all areas of the Board who demonstrate leadership qualities. Through this award, Lakehead Public Schools expresses its gratitude to staff, highlight their excellent leadership skills, and features staff members’ thoughts on leadership.

Students Display Woodworking Finesse!

December 2022

Students at Superior CVI put their woodworking skills to work and built crossing guard huts for the City of Thunder Bay to contribute to keeping local crossing guards warm during the winter months.

The Construction Technology students also dove into their next project – a hand crafted cutting board made of cherry wood, walnut wood, and maple wood that they can take home… just in time for the holidays.

Design, Prototype, Build

January 2023

Science met carpentry as the Grade 8 French Immersion students at École Elsie MacGill Public School spent a full day working under the leadership of Hammarskjold High School students to actualize a woodworking project they designed together. Planter boxes fashioned to boost natural heat induction and facilitate ergonomically friendly transplanting were the product of the day’s work, and all the students took part in the build. A lesson on safety and the proper use of power tools started the day off, and students took turns safely using drills, hammers, and the mitre saw.

The construction activity was overseen by Hammarskjold High School teacher Mr. Dasey, who leads the Specialist High Skills Major construction courses, and enrolled the participation of Carpenters Union Local 1669 and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.

The planter boxes were placed in the outdoor Kindergarten area this spring and will grow produce for the school community.

Community Arts & Heritage Education Project

May 2023

St. James Public School was pleased to host an art extravaganza and media event to celebrate the success of the Community Arts & Heritage Education Project (CAHEP). CAHEP is a project that has been bringing professional artists into the classroom at nine schools over the last three years. Students from St. James Public School, Kingsway Park Public School, Sherbrooke Public School, Algonquin Avenue Public School, Odgen Community School, McKenzie Public School, Valley Central Public School, Claude E. Garton Public School, and Westmount Public School explored pottery, visual arts and crafts, and learned the history and culture behind art as well.

At the media event, St. James Public School welcomed MPP Lise Vaugeois and MPP Kevin Holland, staff, and a team of professional artists from the CAHEP while the students completed an art project led by CAHEP’s art professionals. The event celebrated the accomplishments of Art Club, a 36-month arts education program funded by a $155,100 Grow Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation that provided free multidisciplinary arts-culture programming to Grades 4-6 students in underserved neighbourhoods. Despite the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic, nearly 2,000 students were engaged in over 100 different art and cultural projects across 543 hours of instruction led by over 20 local professional artists.

Reading Buddies Initiative Builds Leadership at Westmount Public School

Westmount Public School runs its Reading Buddies initiative from fall until June every year and engages as many grades as possible. Once per week, primary students are paired up with junior and senior elementary students to read or do crafts. To take it to the next level, Grade 8 students recently guided their Grade 1 buddies into building animal habitat diorama projects after reading animal-themed books. The older students also practiced their leadership skills with their younger buddies through fieldtrips to the library and in the planning of a big end-of-year celebration. The staff at Westmount Public School nurture student leadership in all aspects of schooling, and continuously utilize opportunities to foster leadership in students of all ages. In fact, the Westmount Public School has welcomed Mr. Chris Kowlessar’s Grade 11 Westgate CVI class into the school to read with the primary grades for the secondary school’s Raising Healthy Children course.

Bilingual Students Become Leaders With #TryLikeTerry

September 2022

Last Friday at École Gron Morgan Public School, the Grade 8 students of this incredibly family-oriented French Immersion school were offered an impressive bilingual leadership opportunity. The 12- and 13-year-olds were stationed at challenge centers throughout the school yard to coordinate the day’s Terry Fox fundraising activities. Equipped with clipboards, Terry Fox T-shirts, and a natural resourcefulness, the Intermediate students coached their young peers through a variety of races.

The school consistently provides leadership opportunities to its Grade 8 students. These leaders-in-the-making learn to manage busy situations and make sensible decisions, often expressing themselves fluently in both French and English. École Gron Morgan Public School believes it is important to enable growth opportunities for its students so they may acquire life building skills and resume building experience.

Principal Erin Aylward said the races were designed with challenges built in. “We created each station to have an intentional challenge so that the children could work to overcome it because that’s what Terry Fox did. He persisted in the face of adversity and worked to overcome his challenges.”

Terry Fox is a prominent hero in many school communities and continues to be a strong source of motivation for youth. The École Gron Morgan Public School community raised over $5,000 in support of The Terry Fox Foundation! Thank you, and congratulations!

First National Ribbon Skirt Day Honoured in Schools

January 2023

Claude E. Garton Public School

Many schools celebrated the first National Ribbon Skirt Day this past January, including Claude E. Garton Public School. Courtney Forbes from Dilico Anishinabek Family Care was invited to the school to engage students, share her knowledge, and explain the importance of the day.

Courtney motivated students to ask questions, voice their identities, and encouraged them to be proud. She explained that by wearing a ribbon skirt, she is telling the world a little bit about herself. Each ribbon colour has a different meaning. For example, pink shows an enthusiastic and open personality, or an outgoing way of being. Pink also represents unconditional love and wanting to help others. The colour yellow can represent the ability to reach personal goals, a growing awareness of their own personal power, and joy and happiness. Yellow is also the colour of learning and knowledge. Some people also wear spirit colours on their skirts.

Students had many questions, such as Can non-Indigenous people wear a ribbon skirt? The answer is YES! Everyone who would like to wear a ribbon skirt is encouraged to make their first skirt or to be part of the process.

National Ribbon Skirt Day was established in Canada thanks to a young student named Isabella Kulak. Learn more about her story here: https://issuu.com/kci…/docs/kci-niwesq_issue_2/s/11815143

Young Leaders Take Part in ReconciliACTION

Spring 2023

Westmount Public School is brimming with young leaders. Recently, the Grade 5/6 class organized a meaningful event, Walk for Wenjack, which brought students and staff together and raised awareness of the true history of residential schools. The activity was overseen by teacher Aaren Johansen and student support professional Trina Menc and saw the engagement of the whole school.

Walk for Wenjack was founded in 2016 by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund through inspiration from Chanie Wenjack’s story and Gord Downie’s wish to build a better Canada. Walk for Wenjack is a fundraising event which aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Westmount Public School’s students led and participated in this event to take part in reconciliACTION, a meaningful action that moves reconciliation forward.

Backgrounder on the Walk of Wenjack:

Chanie Wenjack was a 12-year-old Anishinaabe boy from Ontario who ran away from his residential school near Kenora in 1966 and subsequently passed away from hunger and exposure to the harsh weather. His tragic death sparked national attention and the first inquest into the treatment of Indigenous children in Canadian residential schools. The first Walk for Wenjack retraced Chanie’s steps starting at the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora and continued to Redditt, Ontario, for a ceremony representing Chanie’s final resting spot near Farlane, Ontario. Since then, Walk for Wenjack has provided Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada with the opportunity to help improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness around reconciliation.

Championing Rights and Addressing Systemic Inequities

After a short vacancy at the beginning of the school year, the Office of Human Rights and Equity Advisor (OHREA) has been diligently working with members of Lakehead Public Schools to champion the rights of all students, staff, families, and community members. The data from the initial student demographic project is being analyzed to identify disparities in wellness, experience, and outcomes that disproportionately impact our community members from equity-deserving and rights-inherent groups. This data will also be used in tandem with our upcoming Workforce Census to ensure our staff is reflective of our students’ identities as well. While these projects are ongoing and developing, the OHREA continues to provide education opportunities for staff, building their capacity to address systemic inequity. Presentations on gender identity, anti-Black racism, privilege, anti-oppression, and culturally responsive approaches have been provided to various staff groups this year.

Special Education Student Athletes Have Fun at Track Meet

May 2023

There were lots of high fives, hugs, and smiles at the track meet as special education students from nine of our elementary schools participated in two events: a 50 metre dash and a football toss.

Proud family members, friends, student support professionals, and school staff stood by to cheer on the athletes and congratulate them on the other side of the finish line. 35 special education students participated from Crestview Public School, Vance Chapman Public School, Westmount Public School, C.D. Howe Public School, Algonquin Avenue Public School, Ecole Gron Morgan Public School, Ecole Elsie MacGill Public School, St. James Public School, and McKellar Park Central Public School.

“It was a great day for inclusion, comradery, and joy!” – Kim Pineau, Special Education Resource Teacher

Five Schools Make the Finals at Enter the Den

May 2023

Hundreds of students from many of our schools were given the opportunity to explore the world of entrepreneurship and personal creativity through this year’s Enter the Den competition. At the city-wide finals in May, 11 Lakehead Public Schools students from five schools presented their business plans to a panel of judges at Lakehead University. The winners were:

Grade 7-8 Division

1st Owen Lemoine from Valley Central Public School

2nd Moiz Mushir Syed & Suyash Choudri from Westmount Public School

3rd Alexis Kruchak from Westmount Public School

Grade 9-12 Division

1st Kaydee Vondrasek from Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute

2nd Avery Brodeur from Hammarskjold High School

3rd Tyson Galloway from Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute

Congratulations! We would also like to congratulate the runners-up who also delivered fantastic and innovative business plans:

Runners-up in the Grade 7-8 Division

Chris Kiiskila & Frog Larocque from Westmount Public School

Ella Rrietdijk from Crestview Public School

Runner-up in the Grade 9-12 Divison

Piper Glenn from Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute

“Amazing to see the youth so well prepared, and enthusiastic about their business ideas” commented one of the judges. Enter the Den is a business plan competition for Thunder Bay area students inspired by the popular Canadian TV show, Dragon’s Den.  Enter the Den is a gentler version of the format with practical feedback for every participant. Thunder Bay Ventures has been running this competition since 2010.

Wellness Promotes Achievement and Academic Success

April 2023

The Lakehead District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) knows the importance of providing relevant, inclusive, accessible, engaging, and responsive learning environments. As the Board ensures healthy learning environments at school, it also provides additional learning opportunities for students, families, and staff as wellness is conducive to achievement and academic success. The Board is pleased to offer and support an equity of outcomes for every student. The PIC Wellness Symposium was held in April and featured several community partners in the professional fields of health and wellness to deliver knowledge, tips, and advice to members of our school communities. We, alongside our community partners, are committed to the health, wellness, and success of every student. Health and wellness is essential for student progress, prosperity, and achievement. We thank our partners for their dedication to the health and wellness of the community: St. Joseph’s Care Group; Our Kids Count; Thunder Bay Boys and Girls Club; Healthy Kids Thunder Bay; Thunder Bay District Health Unit; Children’s Centre Thunder Bay; Thunder Bay Counselling; Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre; and Canadian Mental Health Association.

Working with Board Committees

In planning board-wide policies, procedures, and initiatives, it is crucial that the voices of our community members are heard, respected, and implemented. For this reason, items generated or presented by many departments, including the Office of Human Rights and Equity Advisor first go through the Lakehead District School Board Equity and Inclusive Education Committee and Standing Committee for input and approval. Additionally, the Office of Human Rights and Equity Advisor endeavours to attend every committee to ensure human rights and equity are being considered in all conversations.

Algonquin Celebrates the Maple Trees

April 2023

On Thursday April 6 Algonquin Ave School will be honouring and celebrating the maple trees. We will be starting with a Pancake Feast for the  school community to start the day followed by the tapping of the Maple trees in the front of the school in the afternoon at 1:35pm . We will also have sap boiling on the fire, a local elder to do a song for the tress and maple taffy in the snow for the younger kids.

Algonquin school  celebrated maple harvest moon again this year with a pancake breakfast and the tapping of the school maple trees. Students learned the traditional significance of maples from elder and knowledge keeper Audrey Deroy and had a taste of fresh maple taffy and fresh boiled syrup.

Career Fair in First Nation Helps Attract New Personnel

June 2023

At Lakehead Public Schools, we strive to hire a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the community in which we live. In early June, a team of three Lakehead Public Schools staff members travelled to Fort Hope to attend a career fair with the goal of displaying the benefits of working at the Board. The team consisted of two graduation coaches and a representative from the Human Resources department. A Lakehead Public Schools booth was set up and the staff discussed the Ojibwe Language positions, other First Nations, Métis, and Inuit education support roles, as well as student support professional positions available in our Board. The audience at the career fair was students and community members.

Implementing the Plans that Inform the Strategic Plan

We are committed to continuing to develop and implement the ongoing Plans that inform the Strategic Plan. For example, a special education review was undertaken during the 2022-2023 school year to ensure that the Special Education Plan, which includes direction for the Board’s programs and services, continues to meet the needs of our students with special education needs. With respect to Indigenous Education, we continue to be committed to the adoption of an Indigenous Education Framework that fully commits to the spirit of Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Steps and actions towards implementation include:

• First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) Studies AQ courses and other learning opportunities related to Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspectives have been offered for reimbursement to educators;
• NBE3U – Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices has replaced ENG3U in all secondary schools. This course provides important learning opportunities for all students about Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspectives through Indigenous literature;
• Treaties education involving the Indigenous People’s Atlas Giant Floor Map (Grade 5 classes, staff meetings, Grade 9 destreamed geography);
• First Nations, Métis, and Inuit tutors were hired for additional academic support of self-identified Indigenous students at McKellar Park Central Elementary School, St. James Public School and Hammarskjold High School; and
• As part of the Four Directions Program, Indigenous graduation coaches are working with students, who have self-identified as Indigenous, at all secondary schools to ensure continued engagement, success, and wellbeing. Graduation coaches begin building relationships with students and their families in their Grade 8 family of schools to promote a positive transition for students from elementary to secondary school.

Using the Strategic Plan to Inform Budget Decisions

The 2022-2023 budget was developed to support the 5 pillars of the strategic plan. Funds for resources, training, supports, opportunities, and capital upgrades were allocated to foster an environment where our students and staff will Belong, Achieve, Reconcile, Lead, and Inspire. To learn more about our budget, visit https://www.lakeheadschools.ca/about/board/budget-process/

Incorporating Indigenous Ways of Teaching

Lakehead Public Schools provides professional development opportunities that support the priorities of the Strategic Plan. This year, teachers and leaders were provided with the guidance, knowledge, and training to incorporate Indigenous ways of teaching in their practice. Teachers and administrators from 10 elementary schools received a professional development session called “Embedding Indigenous perspectives in our classrooms and schools”. The schools involved at the session represent rural schools, northside schools, and southside schools (Valley Central Public School, Gorham and Ware Community School, Vance Chapman Public School, CD Howe Public School, Woodcrest Public School, Whitefish Valley Public School, McKenzie Public School, École Elsie MacGill Public School, Kakabeka Falls Public School, and Crestview Public School). In addition, Lakehead Public Schools offers Part 1 of the First Nation, Métis and Inuit Studies AQ course subsidy in partnership with Lakehead University.

Anishnawbe Mushkiki Brings Knowledge of Drumming to Sherbrooke Public School

January 2023

Sherbrooke Public School enjoys and values its partnerships with the community to support the success of every student. This winter, Anishnawbe Mushkiki Traditional Wellness Navigator Natalie Hache joined the HEAL team and the Grade 3, 4, and 5 students to share teachings about hand drumming. Youth learned how the drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth, the different hides that can be used to make a drum, how to care for drums, and how to use drums for healing and prayer. Students learned new songs from Natalie and sung along while hand drumming.

Connections with National Leader Offers Insight on Leadership Opportunities

May 2023

Westgate CVI is pleased to continuously encourage strategic partnerships not only locally and provincially, but nationally, too, to support the success of every student. This spring, the Honourable Jagmeet Singh, federal leader of the NDP, was welcomed at Westgate CVI to speak with students about leadership, confidence, and teamwork. Mr. Singh discussed overcoming challenges in his youth and encouraged the students to never give up when presented with obstacles. Mr. Singh’s audience consisted of approximately 50 law and civics students as well as students from the 4-Directions program. The NDP leader shared information on the Canadian political system and structures and emphasized the importance of political awareness and involvement.