Annual Report - Rainbow District School Board

Message
from the
Director of
Education
This Annual Report provides an overview of key activities
undertaken by Rainbow District School Board in the
2011-2012 school year. Strategic Directions continued to guide
our efforts with an ongoing focus on higher levels of student
achievement, reduced gaps in student achievement and
increased public confidence in publicly funded education.
Under the leadership of elected officials,
staff worked diligently to implement
strategies to achieve each priority.
Ensure success for all focused on
literacy and numeracy, pathways,
and community, culture and caring.
Ensure efficient resource management
and promote succession planning
provided the foundation for student
success. The Board Improvement Plan,
which is updated annually, ensures that
we remain relevant and results-oriented.
With the support of the Province of
Ontario, trustees, staff, parents/guardians
and the community, Rainbow District
School Board continued to deliver
excellence in education from the early
years to secondary school graduation.
The achievements in this Annual Report
offer a snapshot of a school year filled with progress. They also attest to the
ever-growing circle of support fostering student success at school, at home
and in the community. Students are becoming confident, well-rounded,
critical thinkers.
Students continued to shine at local, provincial, national and international
levels, bringing pride and praise to Rainbow Schools. Measures implemented
to improve learning outcomes and encourage young people to go back to
school, such as Barrydowne College, had a positive impact.
Our mental health strategy, including the launch of a new SPARK fitness program,
began to take shape. We continued to implement initiatives to maintain safe
schools and build welcoming and inclusive learning and teaching environments.
This included the signing of a Community Threat Assessment Protocol, ongoing
character development, equity training for staff, and presentations for students.
Sustainability remained an important focus in our schools and at the Board level.
We are fostering a culture of conservation, implementing green technology,
and encouraging eco-friendly practices. Students are embracing sustainability,
becoming global citizens who care about the world in which they live.
As always, we thank our partners in education for working with us to nurture
and mentor those who will follow in our footsteps. Students are not only learning
essential skills, they are gaining character traits that will enable them to become
capable and contributing members of society. We bring learning to life, enabling
students to fulfill their aspirations.
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Norm Blaseg
Director of Education, Rainbow District School Board