The grade seven/eight band at Robert Moore School played for the Rainy River District School Board last night, proving why they were deserving of the board’s “Recognition of Excellence” this month.
“In the past, Robert Moore had provided an instrumental music program for grades seven and eight,” principal Bob Derkson had said in a written recommendation of the band.
“It was discontinued about four years ago for a variety of reasons.
“However, after receiving numerous requests from the school community to have the program reinstated, Jim Newman enthusiastically agreed to teach the program, provided instruments could be obtained for all students,” he added.
Since September, the school has purchased some percussion and wind instruments using school funds, and students also have rented from supply companies and/or bought them.
The program is mandatory for all intermediate students and enjoys the support of the school community.
“This provides a very exciting way for our intermediate students to become exposed to music in this form, develop their musical talents, and fulfill their requirements for the Ontario Curriculum expectations,” noted Derkson.
“We are fortunate to have Jim Newman on staff to provide this opportunity for our students,” he added. “He very generously gives us his time to share his musical talent with his students, providing time for extra practice before school and during breaks.”
Performing for the board and parents on hand for last night’s meeting, the band played four pieces which, Newman noted, weren’t complete songs but a step in the right direction for the students.
In other board news, as first reported in yesterday’s Daily Bulletin, Superintendent of Education Terry Ellwood introduced the possibility of changing the junior and senior kindergarten schedule here.
If approved, it would see SK students attending full days every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and the JKs going full days every Tuesday and Thursday.
“The suggestion came from our literacy committee, as this would increase academic time for SKs to get into the new curriculum,” Ellwood noted, adding other boards, most recently the Lakehead District School Board, already have changed to the new scheduling.
This change, if it’s approved by school councils, parents, principals, and teachers, would come into effect in September.
Vice-chair Dan Belluz noted the Northwest Catholic District School Board also should be consulted to see if it would switch to the same scheduling.
Also last night, the board accepted the February personnel report, which noted the retirements of teacher Joyce Cunningham (FFHS), bus driver William Kempf, and caretaker Ruby Ellek (North Star Community School).
It also included leave of absences for special education assistant Doris Nephin (North Star), and teachers Kathy Smeeth (Alberton School), Connie Schwartz and Catherine Smith (FFHS), and Krista McNabb-Williams (Sturgeon Creek School).
Trustees also heard a presentation by principals Nancy Fretter (Donald Young School) and Linda Hill (Huffman/Sixth Street) on what they have done through the mandatory School Improvement Planning implemented in their schools.
Lauding the initiative as successful, and yet an ongoing annual process, both noted they focused on improving student achievement in math, reading, and writing testing, as well as areas like improving community partnerships and safer school environments.
Hoshizaki, who was a driving force behind encouraging planning after his arrival in 1999, noted, “The planning process is really the heart of what we do in education.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
