Lillian Berg PS Receives Grant for Commemorating the History and Legacy of Residential Schools

Media Release - November 10, 2020

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) and Lillian Berg Public School are honoured to share that Lillian Berg Public School, in partnership with Grassy Narrows First Nation and the Municipality of Machin, has received a $6000.00 grant to support commemorating the history and legacy of residential schools. 

The grant money will be used to cover the costs of yard maintenance at the McIntosh Indian Residential School Memorial site, which now belongs to Grassy Narrows First Nation, as well as to purchase books and resources about the history of residential schools for a community book club and for Lillian Berg Public School.  The school also hopes to use some of the money to host a special Orange Shirt Day ceremony next October at the McIntosh Indian Residential School Memorial site.    

Chief Randy Fobister, Grassy Narrows First Nation, stated, “I always support any initiatives that help the community in any way and especially the history of residential schools that has to be remembered for generations to come.  It is history where important life lessons can be learned.  I welcome the beautification project and landscaping. The elders and community will be very thankful for that. Miigwetch.”

Shannon Elliott, Grade 7/8 Teacher and lead on the project, said, “It is hoped that through this project we will achieve increased awareness of the history and legacy of residential schools, not only across Canada, but in our own backyard.  Our hope is for students, staff, and community members to gain a deeper understanding of the history and legacy of residential schools and the lasting impacts they have.”

Doris St. Jules, Principal of Lillian Berg Public School, added, “We are grateful for the support of Chief Randy Fobister and look forward to working together in the planning of a very special Orange Shirt Day ceremony next year.”

Background

In the fall of 2019, Ms. Elliott’s Grade 7/8 class from Lillian Berg Public School in Vermilion Bay, visited the McIntosh Indian Residential School Memorial site, located just northwest of Vermilion Bay, ON, as part of a class study of residential schools in Canada.  While at the memorial site, the students noticed that the grass around the memorial site was overgrown, which limited the access to it, and they felt a site with this much importance deserved more care. 

The class initially started making plans to go back to the site in the spring and do some yard maintenance themselves, but their teacher had heard that the Department of Canadian Heritage was accepting grant applications for Commemorating the History & Legacy of Residential Schools.  A proposal was put together and submitted in early April 2020 with the support of then Chief Rudy Turtle, Grassy Narrows First Nation, (which the McIntosh IRS Memorial site now belongs to), along with the Municipality of Machin, who agreed to provide workers and equipment to complete the yard maintenance. 

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Ministry of Education Announces Replacement School for Savant Lake

Media Release - November 3, 2020

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) is pleased to share that the Ontario Ministry of Education has announced funding for a replacement school in Savant Lake. 

The KPDSB thanks both the Ministry of Education and Government of Ontario for their support of the Savant Lake school community.

The replacement school will be built on the existing school property and will provide a mix of 21st century classroom models and board designed innovative spaces for multipurpose use.  The new building is expected to have the highest energy efficient design of all facilities in the KPDSB.  Students and families can also look forward to a school playground redesign to provide increased outdoor learning opportunities.

At this time, it is anticipated the replacement school will open for the 2023-2024 school year (modular and prefabricated construction techniques will be explored for increased quality control and timelines).

“Hard-working families in Savant Lake deserve access to high quality education opportunities and our government is delivering on their behalf,” said Ontario’s Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “The Government of Ontario is taking action to provide students with modern, technologically-connected and accessible classrooms that will prepare them for lifelong success.”

Holly Szumowski, Principal of Savant Lake Public School, stated, “To see this type of investment in rural education for our students, staff, families, and community is exciting.  We look forward to involving our school community in the process of building a new school.”

Sherri-Lynne Pharand, KPDSB Director of Education, added, “We are very excited for the opportunity for a new build in Savant Lake.  Our commitment to our students is to provide the best possible educational opportunities in the best possible environments.  We thank the Minister of Education and the Ministry of Education for this financial support.”

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KPDSB and ETFO DECEs Reach Tentative Settlement

Joint Media Release - September 30, 2020

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) have reached a tentative settlement within the Local Bargaining Framework with Designated Early Childhood Educators.

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

Both parties are very pleased with the results of the virtual negotiating sessions and look forward to implementation and furthering the work of supporting our youngest learners.

For more information, please contact Sherri-Lynne Pharand, KPDSB Director of Education at (807) 468-5571 or Teresa Morrison, Executive Staff, ETFO, at  1-888-838-3836 ext. 2220.

Cecile Marcino                                               Teresa Morrison, Executive Staff, ETFO
KPDSB Board Chair                                       Keewatin-Patricia DECEs

Sherri-Lynne Pharand
KPDSB Director of Education           

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KPDSB & ETFO Reach Tentative Settlement

Joint Media Release - July 14, 2020

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) have reached tentative local agreements for both elementary teachers and occasional teachers’ local bargaining units.

Details of the agreements remain confidential until ratification by the locals as well as the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.

Parties to both agreements are pleased with the results of the virtually negotiated settlements and look forward to implementation and furthering the work of supporting our students.

For more information, please contact:

Sherri-Lynne Pharand, KPDSB Director of Education, (807) 468-5571
Kim Douglas, ETFO Teacher Local President, (807) 220-0201
Paul Fregeau, ETFO Occasional Teacher Local President, (807) 464-9170

Cecile Marcino 
KPDSB Board Chair

Kim Douglas, President
Keewatin-Patricia Elementary Teachers Local

Sherri-Lynne Pharand 
KPDSB Director of Education

Paul Fregeau, President
Elementary Occasional Teachers Local

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KPDSB & OSSTF Secondary Teachers Reach Tentative Settlement

Joint Media Release - July 14, 2020

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) and the Secondary Teachers of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation of Ontario, District 5A, have reached a tentative settlement within the Local Bargaining Framework.

Details of the tentative settlement remain confidential until ratification by the Local as well as the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board. Ratification is scheduled to take place by both parties prior to July 31, 2020.

Both parties were eager to utilize the option of meeting using virtual platforms to achieve this settlement for their respective employees and membership and look forward to the ability to further support the education of our students.

For more information, please contact Sherri-Lynne Pharand, KPDSB Director of Education at (807) 468-5571 or Marvin Osmond, President, OSSTF District 5A at (807) 738-2031.

Cecile Marcino 
KPDSB Board Chair

Marvin Osmond, President
OSSTF-TBU, D5A, Northern Shield

Sherri-Lynne Pharand
KPDSB Director of Education

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