Director's Bulletin March 6, 2012 - Algoma District School Board

Algoma District School BoardDirector’s Bulletin – 2012 03 06To:Principals, Managers, Staff,Union and Federation PresidentsAt the Committee of the Whole Meeting on Tuesday March 6, 2012, Algoma DistrictSchool Board Trustees and Senior Administration reviewed a number of topics.1. OUTDOOR EDUCATION AT WC EAKET SECONDARY SCHOOLMr. Ryan Forsyth is a teacher at WC Eaket Secondary School and is the highschool’s New Trails Program Leader (also commonly known as Outdoor EducationProgram Leader). He provided an overview on the Outdoor Education program atWC Eaket. Philip McLeod, currently a Grade 12 student at Eaket – also joined Mr.Forsyth and shared how positively the program has impacted him.When the Outdoor Education program was first introduced at WC Eaket three yearsago, its primary target was a population of aboriginal male students who were feelingdisengaged in a regular classroom.In the New Trails Program students experience the world beyond the classroom asthey enhance skills in the areas of leadership, teamwork, outdoor survival skills andin understanding the natural environment. Students can achieve credits in:1. The Geographer’s Toolkit2. Native Culture3. Recreation and Fitness Leadership4. English (independent study course)Mr. Forsyth expressed that one of the great bonuses of the program is thecertification a student can gain. They can earn certification in:• First aid• Wilderness First Aid• Safe Chain Saw Operations• Canoe tripping• KayakingThe training in New Trails allows a student to go on and work within the hospitalityand tourism sectors. Mr. Forsyth has seen students take jobs at fishing and huntcamps and summer camps. A number have gone on to work for Municipalities, duein part to their chain saw and first aid qualifications. A two-week CooperativePlacement opportunity is part of the program and employers are very impressed thatEaket New Trails’ students come to them with hundreds of dollars worth ofcertification under their belt already.

Director’s Bulletin – 2012 03 06 Page 22. CASS CONSULTATION ON 7 & 8 PROGRAMSuperintendent Asima Vezina updated the trustees on this item. Most recently aPublic Information Meeting was held at Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS)on February 27 th . The focus of the meeting was to help answer the question raisedby the community during the year-long consultation process: “If a 7-12 program wasoffered at CASS what would it look like?”Superintendent Vezina and I spoke to the approximately 200 community memberswho attended the February 27 th meeting at CASS. Also in attendance were ADSBChair Jennifer Sarlo, Central Algoma Trustee Joel Robert and ADSB principals fromCASS and Central Algoma elementary schools.During the presentation information was shared to help clarify what a Grade 7/8school day would look like if the program was offered at CASS. A visual wasprovided that helped to show where the Grade 7/8 Program would be located withinthe school, including the designated classroom pod area, locker area, washroomsand outdoor area. Vezina and I also addressed areas of concern for parentsincluding how safety and supervision would be handled and bussing times for ruralstudents. This information is all available for review on the ADSB website atwww.adsb.on.ca/7-12 Consultation.I outlined how community members can provide feedback during the decisionmakingprocess. During the month of March, written correspondence is encouragedfrom all parents and school community members before March 26, 2012. It isappreciated if community members would let the Board know:€ if you are writing as a parent or community member;€ if so, what grade(s) is your child(ren) in;€ and in what community you reside.In April 2012, a report with senior staff recommendations will be submitted to theBoard for consideration by the trustees. This report will also be made available onthe Board website and at each Central Algoma school. Individuals can providefurther input and reaction to the Senior Administration’s recommendations. The finalrecommendations will be made to trustees to be voted on by the end of April/earlyMay.Parent and school community feedback can be sent to Lina Aceti:• by email to acetil@adsb.on.ca• by fax to 705-942-2540• by mail to:Algoma District School Board644 Albert Street EastSault Ste Marie, ONP6A 2K7ATTN: Lina AcetiBrochures are being disturbed to all Central Algoma school communities that alsooutline the year-long consultation process, what the learning environment and

Director’s Bulletin – 2012 03 06 Page 3leadership opportunities would look like at CASS if the 7/8 program was offered ANDhow community members can provide their feedback.Detailed information including chronology of meetings, minutes of meetings, andpresentations made at all meetings from March 2011 to now, can be found atwww.adsb.on.ca.3. BOARD POLICIESSeveral Algoma District School Board Policies are being reviewed with considerationbeing given to update or revise. The following policies are being reviewed:• Conflict of Interest: Hiring and Assignment of Staff Placement (IncludingRelatives) Policy• Participation in Federal or Provincial Elections• Retirement Age Policy• Bereavement: Flowers/Financial Contributions