KPDSB Welcomes New Board of Trustees

November 16, 2022

On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, the KPDSB welcomed a new Board of Trustees.  We wish to congratulate Trustee Roger Griffiths who is the new Chair of the Board (was previously vice-chair of the board) and Trustee Dave Cornish who is Vice-Chair of the Board.  Both Trustee Griffiths and Trustee Cornish are in their third term of office as Trustees.  We are also pleased to welcome Denise Baxter to the position of Individual on the Board to Represent the Interests of Indigenous Students.

KPDSB Board of Trustees as of November 15, 2022

• Roger Griffiths – Chair
• Dave Cornish - Vice-Chair
• Denise Baxter - Individual on the Board to Represent the Interests of Indigenous Students (new to the Board)
• Marilyn Duncalfe
• Robert Kitowski (new to the Board)
• Gerald Kleist
• Malcolm (Rory) McMillan (new to the Board)
• Dave Penney (returning to the Board)
• Steve Poling (new to the Board)
• Dakota McDonald - Student Trustee
• Gracie Tucker - Indigenous Student Trustee

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KPDSB appoints Shawnda Norlock as Superintendent of Student Achievement and Equity

Media Release - November 30, 2022

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Shawnda Norlock as Superintendent of Student Achievement and Equity. 

Norlock started teaching with the KPDSB in 1999.  She has held various system responsibilities, including technology-enabled learning special assignment teacher, principal and vice-principal at Red Lake District High School and most recently central administrator in secondary program and achievement.  Norlock has led the student success and expanded and extended program portfolios system-wide.  She holds a BSc and BEd from the University of Manitoba and an MEd in Educational and Digital Technology from Ontario Tech University.

Norlock stated, "I am honoured to serve and support the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board in a senior leadership role.  I am proud to be part of this system, where we continue to put students first and provide innovative and equitable learning opportunities for all.  It is essential that students identify their strengths, see what they can achieve and what is possible, know that they can shape their lives, and know that we believe in them.  I look forward to continuing to learn and implement best practices and programs in our schools to advance student achievement and well-being and fostering creativity, innovation, and a culture of inclusion."

Christy Radbourne, Director of Education, added, "We are thrilled to add a skilled, experienced and lifelong KPDSB educator to our Senior Team.  Shawnda is a welcome addition who will bring a strong connection to KPDSB communities and an unwavering commitment to students, equity, and student achievement."

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KPDSB and CUPE Local 1939 Reach Tentative Settlement

Media Release - June 9, 2023

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is pleased to advise that an agreement on local terms and conditions for the 2023 to 2026 Collective Agreement has been reached with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1939 (representing Caretaking and Trades/Maintenance Staff).

Details of the agreement remain confidential until ratification by the Local and the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board. 

Christy Radbourne, Director of Education, stated, “We are pleased to reach a positive outcome with our CUPE partners in education and look forward to continuing our productive relationship over the next four years.”

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KPSDB Continues to See Enrolment Increases

Media Release - November 15, 2017

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is pleased to report increased student enrolment for the 2017-2018 school year. The KPDSB for the first time in its history, will no longer be eligible for the “Declining Enrolment Grant” in 2017-2018. 

The Board credits several factors for the increase in enrolment including its expansion of innovative student-based programs that increase student engagement and the efforts of front-line school staff to put the needs of students first. Additional acknowledgement must be given to ongoing and exhaustive efforts of administration to work closely with and sign formal agreements with Indigenous partners such as Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO), Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI), and Lac Seul First Nation (LSFN).

Budgeted enrolment for the 2017-2018 school year was 4,842 students.  Current enrolment for the KPDSB is 4,868, 26 students above the projected or budgeted enrolment.

Notable enrolment increases include:

• All Kenora elementary schools: Valleyview, Evergreen, Keewatin, and King George VI Public Schools are above projected and actual 2016-17 enrolments;
• Beaver Brae Grades 7/8 increased enrolment by 17 students;
• Golden Learning Centre in Balmertown is 17 students over budget;
• Sioux Narrows Public School enrolment at historic high; enrolment of 31 students;
• Lillian Berg Public School in Vermilion Bay, increase of 22 students over 2016-17;
• Queen Elizabeth DHS in Sioux Lookout is an additional 20 students higher than historic 2016-17 numbers with a total of 508; up from 396 students in 2013-14;
• Enrolment in Senior Kindergarten was 12 higher than projected at 296 students.

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, said “There are always compelling indicators that clearly and indisputably demonstrate the direction an organization is headed in.  The enrolment growth in many of our schools and the enrolment picture across the Board is strong.  The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board continues to strengthen and with that so does our responsibility to Northern Ontario children.”

The KPDSB is currently seeking applicants for employment in all positions and will hold Recruitment Fairs in communities across the board area following a successful event in Sioux Lookout on November 8. Upcoming events include:

• Dryden/Ignace/Vermilion Bay areas – December 11, 2017 at Dryden High School from 3:00pm to 8:00pm
• Red Lake/Ear Falls areas – January 10, 2018 at Red Lake District High School from 3:00pm to 8:00pm
• Kenora/Sioux Narrows areas – January 30, 2018 at Manidoo Baawaatig from 3:00pm to 8:00pm

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Ontario Special Needs Strategy Update for Families - Rehabilitation Services

Please click here to download a pdf version of the update and letter to families.

Dear Families,

As a family whose child may be receiving or waiting for rehabilitation services (speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy), we are writing to provide you with an update on upcoming improvements to the delivery of children’s rehabilitation services in your community.

As you may know, in 2014 the government launched the Special Needs Strategy in response to feedback received from families to improve the timeliness, effectiveness and coordination of the services that children and youth with special needs require to fully participate at home, at school, in the community and to achieve goals for adulthood.

A key initiative of the Special Needs Strategy is the integrated delivery of rehabilitation services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology, for children and youth from birth to school exit.
Over the past year, service providers – including community-based Preschool Speech and Language providers, District School Boards, Community Care Access Centres and Children’s Treatment Centres – in communities across the province have worked to develop locally integrated, family-centred ways to deliver children’s rehabilitation services to improve family service experiences and outcomes for children and youth with special needs. In doing so, service providers have engaged with families and youth in our communities to seek their input.

What is Changing?

Once the improvements are implemented, children and youth with rehabilitation service needs and their families will have:
 A seamless service experience from birth to school exit, with no gaps in service as children transition to school or between service providers;

• Child, youth and family centred service as parents and children/youth work together with service providers and educators to set goals based on their individual needs and strengths;
•  Access to a broad range of high quality interventions (classroom, parent training, educator consultation) in settings that are most appropriate to their needs, and as convenient as possible to families; and
•  Continuous and consistent services throughout the calendar year regardless of who delivers them in the community.

Following the ministries’ review of initial local proposals, service providers are now beginning to refine their proposals based on consultation with stakeholders. Based on feedback gathered, they will then begin to develop local plans for implementation of their new local models for the integrated delivery of rehabilitation services in each community.

When Will These Changes Take Place?

These changes will be phased in so that they will not disrupt any services your child may currently be receiving in the community or school. Families currently waiting for services will maintain their place on the waitlist. There will be no reduction in service capacity as a result of this change. Implementation of new service delivery models is expected to begin as early as Fall 2018.

We will continue to work together across service providers in the community to ensure that there will be no gaps in services for your child and that any changes will be seamless for you and your family.

How Can I Get More Information?

We will continue to keep you informed as the new model is developed in your community.

You can also visit the Ministry of Children & Youth Services website at www.children.gov.on.ca for more information about the special needs strategy in Ontario.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact: Sean Monteith, Keewatin Patricia DSB, 807 468 5571 ext 236

Sincerely,

Joan Kantola
Superintendent of Education
Keewatin Patricia District School Board

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