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 & 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 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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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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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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