School’s cultural awareness being saluted

Robert Moore School will be saluted tonight with the Rainy River District School Board’s monthly “Recognition of Excellence” award for their building of community and student leadership through cultural awareness.
A report to the board explained the school has embraced a number of initiatives and activities in order to develop the leadership skills of their aboriginal students, preserve cultural affinity, and hone respectful acknowledgment of the Ojibwe culture.
These initiatives have taken place under the positive leadership of Jason Jones, Agnes Grover, Darla Solomon, and Shirley Andy, along with the school’s aboriginal and Métis student council.
Highlights of the activities planned and implemented this school year included a traditional selection process for election of candidates on the student council, student and staff attendance at the fall harvest and “Quest for Knowledge,” and holding the second-annual spring pow-wow.
The school also accepted funds through the Dream Catcher Fund to make their drum, Thunder Horse, which was present at the Remembrance Day ceremony and Christmas concert, and will be at the upcoming Grade 8 graduation.
The report indicated Jones, the Ojibwe language teacher, embraced the use of technology with his students through the use of a “Smart Board,” which was installed in January.
“Through continued collaboration and commitment to our goal of developing a positive, diverse teaching and learning environment, we have been able to expand our partnership with the First Nation communities, provide cultural awareness opportunities for staff by invitation and sharing, expand opportunities for our Ojibwe language program which enhances aboriginal student success, and strengthen parent/grandparent and community involvement,” it stated.
Also at tonight’s meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. at Robert Moore School, the board will:
•vote on the approval of the 2008/09 budget for $39,219,381, which includes a withdrawal of $50,000 from the Working Fund Reserve;
•look at approving the following policies for stakeholder consultation: police interviewing students, purchasing, and travelling expenses;
•hear presentations on the “Quest for Knowledge” and speech contest; and
•receive several administrative reports.