As families prepare to hustle kids out the door next Wednesday, Flin Flon School Division (FFSD) superintendent Blaine Veitch shared some insights on the 2015-2016 school year.
The four FFSD schools open their doors to students on Sept. 9.
New staff
New staff members joining the FFSD include Sharon Beck, Scott Borley, Holly Bryson, Joel Camache, Liana Gouws, Carmen Johnson, Mawala Kabanga, Cody Mason, Jessica McLellan, Brent Osika, Shayna Ritchie, Logan Souter, Emily Sparling and Timothy Weibe.
A growing focus for the FFSD will be supporting students as they research possible careers. To that end, Alexandra Béasse will be working with the FFSD, along with other northern school divisions, in a new role as career development coordinator.
Teacher P.D.
Last year, the school division began implementing Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, as part of teachers’ professional development.
A PLC is a group of educators that meets regularly, shares expertise and works collaboratively to improve student achievement and meet other educational goals.
The model gives teachers an opportunity to brainstorm with their colleagues on topics of their choice and develop action plans.
“We learned some things from the PLCs last year, and we want to build on those strengths,” said Veitch.
PLC topics last year included reading recovery, early childhood intervention strategies, numeracy in science, student engagement and belonging, and technology.
Veitch said a new initiative in the division will be to create professional development opportunities for educational assistants.
Mentorship
A long-running mentorship program aims to help local youth ages 18 to 30 find their path after high school. The program places youth mentors in schools where they support student learning and development and also access on-the-job training in educational and professional skills.
This year, the Flin Flon Friendship Centre has partnered with the FFSD to access funding to bring a First Nations mentor into the schools. The division has also accessed funding to bring in a mentor with French language skills. Both mentors will be in schools this fall.
Data
The division currently measures student achievement with longitudinal data from the Canadian Achievement Tests (CAT-4), a standardized assessment program for students from grades one to 12. Each student’s CAT-4 results appear in his or her June report card. Veitch said this test adds a helpful layer of information on student progress, in addition to classroom assessments and teachers’ observations.
“We can see a kid over five years, we know what their growth has been, including any stalls or huge leaps,” Veitch said. “It’s very interesting information.”
Technology
FFSD will continue to focus on improving efficiency in online communication and collaboration through the Google Apps for Education platform.
It will also implement more digital approaches in the administration offices.
Veitch added that the division is planning to move to a faster, more efficient network next summer.
In the classroom, the FFSD has invested in Career Cruising software for elementary students. The high school version of the software is already used at Hapnot Collegiate.
“We want to link learning to the real world,” Veitch said.
In the two elementary schools, teachers will also have access to a new math software program called DreamBox.
Other initiatives
Veitch noted that FFSD would be reviewing its safety protocols this year, particularly regarding processes around absences in the elementary schools.
“We want to make sure that we are aware of students that are absent and having good communication with parents,” he explained. “We presently phone home and talk to a parent, but what happens if we can’t get a hold of their contacts? We want to ensure that we are doing a good job in that area.”
Veitch said the school division is researching lunch programs in the two elementary schools, in collaboration with parent councils. “We want to review what the parents want, what other school divisions are doing, what we can afford to do.” A group of teachers is also researching the various costs and benefits of a shortened school day, Veitch noted.
A new place to play
The FFSD has invested funds, included some grant funding, into a multi-use court and fencing in Queen’s Park, the recreational area alongside the two schools which also includes the running track and community skate park.
While the lines will need to be painted next summer, the courts will be ready to use when school begins, Veitch said.
Veitch explained that the space is intended for recreational use by physical education classes, sports teams, students and the community.
In the future, the schools could choose to add a liner to the court and convert it into a skating and hockey rink during the winter.
School starts in Creighton
On the Saskatchewan side of the border, students headed back to class at Creighton Community School yesterday, Sept. 1.
For news on the upcoming school year for the Creighton School Division, see this Friday’s Reminder.
