The Rainy River District School Board will hear a presentation tonight on its various partnerships with First Nations communities and agencies across the district in an effort to help aboriginal students succeed in school.
Superintendent of Education Terry Ellwood and Fort Frances High School vice-principal Brent Tookenay will outline the efforts the board is making to connect with First Nations students at every level.
For example, the board has three First Nations counsellors at the secondary level, with two at Fort High and one at Rainy River High School.
The board also has a First Nations Advisory Committee, chaired by trustee and First Nations rep Jim Leonard, as well as boasts partnerships with the United Native Friendship Centre and Seven Generations Education Institute, among others.
About 10 percent of the board’s students are aboriginal.
Also at tonight’s regular monthly meeting, the board will:
•vote on submitting various policies for stakeholder consultation, including a statement of the board’s mission, beliefs, and vision, the appointment of student trustees, the naming and opening of new or consolidated schools, and trustee benefits;
•review school improvement plan highlights from the 2003-04 school year; and
•swear in new student trustee Jay Neilson of Rainy River High School.