Press Release
The Northwest Catholic District School Board recognized Our Lady of the Way School’s student council, which includes Kurt Desserre, Rebecca Zimmerman, Caitlin Big George, and Braydon Kreger.
Desserre is a Playground Activity Leader (PAL), which is promoted by the Northwestern Health Unit to organize and facilitate recess activities for daily exercise.
Zimmerman also is a member of PAL and received an award for her involvement in the D.A.R.E. program.
Zimmerman informed trustees about “Voyageur Day” held at Our Lady of the Way every year and highlighted all the activities.
“We are proud of the Catholic student leadership in our system,” board chair Anne-Marie Fitzgerald said in acknowledging the students’ efforts.
Meanwhile, Dick Botsford, the board’s Learning/Homework Help teacher, gave an informative PowerPoint presentation on the “Homework Help” initiative, which the board has been invited to pilot as part of its involvement in the ongoing e-Learning initiative.
All Grade 7 and 8 students have access to after-school tutoring from their computers at home
Parents also have access to the “Homework Help” website as a visitor.
The program is limited to Grades 7-10 at this time, with the expectation to encompass up to Grade 11 down the road.
“The enthusiasm of the students is obvious, parents are thrilled, and Information Technology staff and administration have been 100 percent supportive of the initiative,” noted Botsford.
“The ‘Homework Help’ initiative has been a great success,” echoed Fitzgerald, adding the board’s website has the connecting portal for the “Homework Help” project for easy access for students and their families.
In other news, Audit Committee members participated in ministry training throughout March, which helped those who are not familiar with educational funding to get an overview of the basic elements of school board financial statements.
“The training was very informative and it will be a valuable tool in assisting members with their new role and responsibilities on the Audit Committee,” said Fitzgerald.
The board held its inaugural Audit Committee meeting, with trustee Teresa Larson being selected as the chair.
One of NOEL’s many projects, the Cognos Tool, has become so successful that boards across the province are purchasing it for school use.
“NOEL is a not-for-profit group so they are considering incorporation as a means to best manage the financial implications,” noted Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly, the past president of NOEL.
The local Catholic board supports NOEL incorporating the project.
Finally, the board’s community stakeholder budget input and strategic plan input and feedback survey was launched on the board’s website to seek input and obtain feedback on the work of the board.
The data will be used to help in the budget planning conversations with administration, program staff, and principals.
Kelly thanked MISA co-ordinator Mike Belluz for his role in formatting the web-based survey tool.
At this point, more than 250 people have provided the board with input into its budget and strategic planning process.