More than 200 staff and community volunteers who work with students were in the spotlight–if only in name–at last night’s regular meeting of the Rainy River District School Board as recipients of its “Recognition of Excellence.”
“Our system is proud of these silent partners who add to the life of a school, and meet a variety of school needs,” said Education Director Warren Hoshizaki.
“They enrich the lives of students and provide for a broad-based program at our schools,” he added.
In the spirit of things, the board was treated to a performance by the Robert Moore School choir, under direction of Nathalie von Neibelschutz and accompanied by Pamela Hamilton.
The junior choir sang the sea shanty, “What do you do with a drunken sailor?” followed by an African a cappella number, “See Humba.”
But the choir was just one example of the more than 60 programs recognized in 14 district schools, including high school cheerleading, “Risk Watch,” lunch programs, chess clubs, DARE, outdoor education, drama clubs, and Crime Stoppers.
While von Neibelschutz accepted a “Recognition of Excellence” certificate from board chair Dennis Brunn, all the 200-plus volunteers will have certificates mailed to them.
The board said student leadership programs require the assistance and guidance of staff members to teach and advise students in this role. Peer mediation and student supervision programs also require the help of volunteers to organize and model skills needed to accept this responsibility.
“The Good School” research project identified co-curricular programs as an essential characteristic of effective schools.
Also at last night’s meeting, the board heard a presentation on a Violence Against Women Prevention pilot project being created through a partnership between the board and the Atikokan Crisis Centre
The $19,725 grant will be used to develop educational programming and a resource booklet to be used in schools, as well as provide support programming, such as an after-school program for troubled students.
The project, aimed at female students aged 12-19, also will include training staff to be sensitive to–and aware of–the issue of violence against women.
The endeavour is funded to the Ministry of Education by the Ontario Women’s Directorate Violence Against Women Prevention Initiatives 1999-2000.
In other business last night, the board received the February personnel report, which noted the appointment of Mike Allison as occasional teacher and Tim Marmus as bus driver.
Also, Gary Lipinski, Gerry Karchuk, and Anne Carradice will take a year-long leave of absence as of Aug. 28, 2000.
Teachers Don Gale (Rainy River High School), Rick Socholotuk (Sixth Street), and Heather Schmutzer (Atikokan High School) will be retiring June 30, Sept. 30, and May 31 respectively, as will secretary Tresa Swerbus (RRHS) effective Aug. 31.
Also at last night’s meeting, the board:
•perused highlights of a Special Education report dated Jan. 18;
•received the minutes of the Feb. 1 meeting of the finance committee;
•looked at a summary of revenues and expenditures as of Dec. 31, 1999;
•approved of five revised policies, including harassment, student evaluation, student promotion, school closure, and use of board-owned vehicles;
•submitted seven policies and procedures for stakeholder consultation, including trustees’ benefits, records management, and employee alcohol and drug use;
•received minutes of the communications committee’s Jan. 24 meeting, and minutes from the occupational health and safety committee’s Jan. 20 meeting;
•agreed to support rescheduling Education Week 2000 from May 8-12 to April 10-14; and
•acknowledged all correspondence received since its last regular meeting.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
