Staff
The United Native Friendship Centre’s Alternative Secondary School program will earn the “Recognition of Excellence” award from the Rainy River District School Board at its meeting tonight.
A report to the board explains the program “provides an innovative, locally-developed program that assists students in personalizing their learning so they can achieve their goals, including graduating with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.”
The program is made possible through a partnership between the UNFC, Fort Frances High School, and the school board.
Funding is supported by the Ministry of Education.
While about 1,000 students each year attend the 11 publicly-funded Alternative Secondary School Programs in Friendship Centres in Ontario, the local program “for at-risk students and adult learners has established itself locally and provincially for its support of student achievement, well-being, and outstanding graduation success.”
“Staffed with two classroom teachers and one Alternative Secondary School Program co-ordinator, students receive education, guidance, and counselling services, healthy meals, and cultural teachings,” the report added.
The program offers an array of courses—providing students with expanded program opportunities and a choice to re-enter the mainstream one.
UNFC’s secondary school program has continued to see increased enrolment over the past 12 years, with 30 full-time students at present and roughly 55 independent study students.
“Last year, 24 students and their families celebrated their success at graduation and feast,” the report noted, noting of the 11 Friendship Centres in the province, the local program has demonstrated the greatest number of graduates in the last three years.
Also at tonight’s meeting, trustees will:
•vote for the chair and vice-chair, as well as the OPSBA rep;
•hear a presentation about “Project Sunset”;
•direct the board to write a letter to the minister of education respectfully requesting that the ministry, in consultation with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, continue and expand the process of developing Kindergarten-Grade 12 curriculum and learning resources on indigenous people in Canadian history, and the history and legacy of residential schools, as per Calls to Action 62 (i) and 63 (i) of the Truth and Reconciliation Report;
•approve the following policy: 1.60 (School Councils and Parent Involvement Committee);
•rescind Policy 2.13 (School Councils);
•approve the following policy for stakeholder consultation: 7.22 (Emergency Response);
•approve the 2014-15 Financial Statements as presented;
•approve the details of the Unappropriated, Internally Appropriated, and Unavailable for Compliance components of Accumulated Surplus in the 2014-15 Financial Statements as presented; and
•approve trustee appointments to the board statutory, standing, and other committees as presented.
The meeting gets underway at 7 p.m. at the Education Centre (board office).
