Staff and students at district public schools are showing they have the creativity and the drive to generate fresh and original educational programs from which other students can benefit.
The Rainy River District School Board is allocating $57,200 this year to go towards nine projects at five schools that have been approved as Innovative Projects.
Fort Frances High School will receive $7,500 for “Promoting Aboriginal Culture and Heritage”—a project that will include two performances by aboriginal artists for the entire student body.
At least two guest speakers also will be invited to talk to aboriginal students about opportunities and pathways.
The project also will involve activities during Native Awareness Week, as well as an international conference with International Falls School in Minnesota.
In a separate project, students at Fort High will be able to take two advanced placement classes beginning in September next year in English Literature and Chemistry.
Students who write the exams for these classes can earn first-year university credits. Those who elect not to write the exams still can use the classes as preparation for university.
Funding for this project is $11,800.
Rainy River High School will receive $3,080 to prepare an anti-bullying drama presentation to perform for elementary students within the board.
A group of 24 students from both RRHS and FFHS will attend a two-day retreat to develop the presentation.
RRHS also will receive $5,500 for “Conflict and Peer Mediation Partnership” to teach young people active listening skills, problem-solving, and empathy.
The project is aimed at students in Grades 6-11, and will involve partnerships with RRHS’s feeder schools.
Robert Moore School will receive the largest portion of the funding—$17,720—to create a kitchen-classroom in the school that will be used to teach students about food, nutrition, and health.
“Recipe for Success” is aimed at junior and intermediate students.
The room also will be used for science experiments and a breakfast program for students.
Sturgeon Creek School and SCAP received $700 for a literacy night for parents of primary and pre-school age children to help them increase their reading ability.
And Atikokan High school will receive $6,000 to continue its Quetico Adventure School, as well as $1,200 for the project “If You Knew Me,” designed by a Grade 11 student.
It will feature a week of “compassion-building activities” to decrease bullying in schools.
Also at last night’s regular monthly meeting here, the board approved the school year calendar for 2005/06. Classes will begin on Aug. 30, and end on June 22, 2006.
The board also awarded its monthly Recognition of Excellence to the staff and students of Fort High who put together this year’s fall play, “The Mirror Image.”
The entire production was put together by students—from the script to the sets, lighting, and music.
Fort Frances Times
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