KPDSB Appoints Superintendents of Education

Media Release - June 17, 2020

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is pleased to announce the appointments of Shannon Bailey and Jane Lower as Superintendents of Education.  Bailey and Lower will step into their new roles on July 1, 2020, and August 1, 2020, respectively.

Shannon Bailey - Background

Bailey, currently in an interim Superintendent of Education role with the KPDSB, has long been a leader in the organization.  Since beginning her career with the KPDSB in 1998, she has worked as a teacher in both elementary and secondary schools, specializing in the areas of Special Education, literacy and staff development.  Bailey has been a successful elementary school leader, becoming the Interim Superintendent of Education in September 2019, following seven years in administration at Valleyview Public School and Evergreen Public School in Kenora.  She holds a BA/BEd/M Ed from Lakehead University.

As an educator, Bailey is guided by the mantra, “See a child differently, see a different child.”  Her portfolios have included leading project work for the Board under the guidance of Dr. Stuart Shanker and Susan Hopkins in the area of self-regulation, as well as leading the development of the KPDSB Leadership Framework and Leadership Portal.  She is committed to supporting the TRCC Calls to Action and creating partnerships that help support student success.

Bailey stated, “I couldn’t be prouder to be in the role of Superintendent of Education for the KPDSB.  I am incredibly honored to work for an organization where every staff member understands what it means to collaborate and learn and puts the needs of our students above all else.  I believe strongly in equity of access to education, non-academic supports and opportunities for all students to achieve great things.”

Jane Lower - Background

Lower, currently the Student Success Lead with Lakehead District School Board, brings with her extensive experience as an educator.  Since beginning her career in 1992 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she has worked as a teacher in both elementary and secondary schools in the areas of physical education, cooperative education and student success.  She also has experience as a guidance counsellor and in secondary school administration.  In 2015, Lower accepted the position of Student Success Lead with Lakehead Public Schools following 14 years with the organization.  She holds a Master of Education degree specializing in Educational Leadership from Charles Sturt University.

As an educator, Lower is a strong advocate for ensuring equity for all children.  Her portfolios have included Indigenous Education, Four Directions approach, collaborative professionalism focused on assessment and evaluation, and data management.  Lower is committed to ensuring all students have the skills, knowledge and confidence to pursue their goals in education, career and life.  She has a strong sense of the learning needs of students and is committed to continually enhancing programs to ensure student success.

Lower stated, “I am honoured, privileged and excited to be the new Superintendent of Education for the KPDSB.  It is clear to me that this board is committed to students, to equity and achievement for all.  I believe that establishing and maintaining strong relationships is vital in education and KPDSB leads the way in ensuring collaboration and engagement with families, staff and community partners.  I look forward to bringing my experiences to the board as well as learning from all of you.”

Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education, added, “Shannon and Jane are experienced educators who bring significant strengths to our senior team. I look forward to continuing to work with Shannon and welcoming Jane to the team.” 

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KPDSB, OSSTF’s Office, Clerical, Library Staff of District 5A Reach Tentative Settlement

Media Release - June 16, 2020

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) and the Office, Clerical, Library Bargaining Unit 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 by June 23, 2020.

The parties were able to work together through the use of virtual meetings to achieve the settlement and look forward to implementing the new terms and conditions for support staff.

For more information, please contact Sherri-Lynne Pharand, KPDSB Director of Education at (807) 468-5571 or Cindy Hayward, President, OSSTF at (807) 727-0988.

Cecile Marcino                                                                       Cindy Hayward, President

KPDSB Board Chair                                                               ESP-OSSTF, D.5A, Northern Shield

Sherri-Lynne Pharand                                                          

KPDSB Director of Education           

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KPDSB, OSSTF Education Assistants of District 5A Reach Tentative Settlement

Media Release - May 25, 2020

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) and the Educational Support Personnel Bargaining Unit 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 June 11, 2020.

The local parties are pleased to say that they were able to utilize a virtual platform to connect and work to achieve this settlement.  Both look forward to continuing to support our students into the future.

For more information, please contact Sherri-Lynne Pharand, KPDSB Director of Education at (807) 468-5571 or Cindy Hayward, President, OSSTF at (807) 727-0988.

Cecile Marcino                                                                                   Cindy Hayward, President
KPDSB Board Chair                                                                           ESP-OSSTF, D.5A, Northern Shield

Sherri-Lynne Pharand                                                                       Shirley Kowalchuk, Chief Negotiator
KPDSB Director of Education                                                           OSSTF D5A ESPBU         

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KPDSB & Seven Generations Launch New Adult Learning Portal

Media Release - May 5, 2020

As a part of Education Week 2020 (May 4-10), the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) and Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) are excited to launch a new online portal to support adult learners across the region.

The new online portal - https://www.nwoadulted.com - is host to a wealth of information, including:

• Pathways– Depending on the goals of each learner, the portal offers individual pathway planning in the following areas:
  • Earning your high school diploma
  • Upgrading for college or university
  • Upgrading for employment
  • Upgrading literacy skills
  • Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) – Adult learners may be closer than they think to reaching their goals.  The new portal provides PLAR information for mature students including a credit calculator that can provide potential students with a senior credit estimate they can apply to their high school diploma.
  • Course Selection –Adult learners can choose between university, university/college, college, and workplace preparation courses, as well as open courses for Grades 11 and 12.
  • Success Stories – The portal includes a variety of success stories from past Adult Education graduates.  By sharing their stories, we can celebrate our students’ achievements and inspire potential students to reach out and complete their high school education.
  • Online Registration – There are a variety of ways to register for Adult Education through the portal, including a new online registration process.
  • Contact Information – With numerous sites and locations in the region, the new portal includes location and contact information to support learners.

Sherri-Lynne Pharand, KPDSB Director of Education, stated, “We are so lucky to have this great partnership with Seven Generations Education Institute to provide Adult Education programming in our communities.  This new portal is an excellent way to help interested adults know what is available. The PLAR assessment tool in particular helps potential students know how much their life experience is valued as part of the learning and really helps the goal of a high school diploma be that much more attainable.”

Sean Taggart, Adult Education Partnership Program Principal, added, “The Partnership between the KPDSB and Seven Generations Education Institute has been providing Adult Education for over eight years.  With the launch of the new website, adult students throughout the district have a place to explore opportunities to help them reach their educational goals.  Whether you are interested in completing your OSSD, taking an online blended course, or completing a specific course to enter a college or university program, the website will provide students with the necessary information to move forward.  You’re closer than you think!” 

Background:

In September 2012, the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board and Seven Generations Education Institute embarked on a partnership to deliver adult education throughout Northwestern Ontario.

The goals of this partnership include:

• Increasing opportunities for both indigenous and non-indigenous adult learners throughout the KPDSB and SGEI communities to achieve the Ontario Secondary School Diploma
• Improving access for adult learners to high quality curriculum resources on a full or part-time basis
• Committing to excellence and innovation in serving the needs of adult learners

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April Board Meeting Highlights - KPDSB Providing Distance Learning for all Students

Media Release - April 15, 2020

Trustees of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board met via Google Meet on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, for the April Regular Board Meeting.

Shannon Bailey, Superintendent of Education, presented the Supporting Distance Learning report. On Monday, April 6, 2020, the KPDSB officially launched distance learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of all schools by the Ontario government. Reconnecting students and staff during the closures was a top priority. 

The first step of supporting distance learning was for staff to reach out to each student to find out what needs would need to be met.  This initial interaction allowed teachers and staff to create a distance learning plan that fits each student, both online and offline.  The creation of an electronic portal supported staff in accessing the resources and training needed to provide distance learning.  Now into the second week of distance learning, staff continue to use their strengths and understandings about technology-enabled learning and equity of education to reach every student and continue allowing students to learn with their teachers while schools are closed. 

In addition to academic supports, the Board has also put additional supports in place for students and families during the pandemic, including Mental Health resources, access to free wifi at all KPDSB buildings and a listing of community supports that can be accessed through the KPDSB’s website. 

Richard Findlay, Superintendent of Business, presented the Board Office Amalgamation update and Board Office Amalgamation Committee update.  As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt across the province and country, the Board of Trustees voted to rescind previous motions regarding the consolidation of the Dryden and Kenora Board Offices. 

In June 2019, the Board voted to execute the consolidation of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board’s Board Offices in Dryden and Kenora into Keewatin Public School for September 2022.  Additional motions in the fall of 2019 required the creation of a Board committee to oversee the consolidations.  The Board rescinded all motions regarding the consolidation of Board Offices at the April meeting.  At this time, all resources are being focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting distance learning during the school closures.  The consolidation of the Board Offices has been referred back to the Senior Administration team for review.

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