Directors Annual Report 2023

Director's Annual Report 2023

The Director's Annual Report for 2023 provides a view into some of the amazing things that happened in our schools and our school board during 2023. Below is a sampling of the stories in the report.

View the full pdf version of the report here.

Messages from the Director of Education and the Chairperson of the Board

It is my great honour and privilege to serve the 黄色直播 District School Board as Director of Education.

I am grateful for the opportunity to see, first-hand, the incredible joy and energy students bring to our schools each day. Through the dedicated passion of KPR staff, they bring each learner鈥檚 unique skills, talents and interests to life in classrooms across our district. Every day, I continue to be in awe of the power of public education to engage every learner to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential.

I am grateful to be part of a school board where students benefit from a variety of innovative learning opportunities and are encouraged to find and pursue what inspires them. It is once again our pleasure to share with you, through our annual report, moments of inspiration throughout the last year.

Through the pages of this annual report, we share moments of inspiration throughout the last year. We have included student and staff stories that highlight accomplishments and growth across our learning spaces. We are incredibly proud of our students鈥� success, which is a testament not only to their unique strengths and skills, but also the dedication of KPR employees, and the support of families and community partners.
Rita Russo, Director of Education

With this report, we celebrate another year in our life at the 黄色直播 District School Board. Along with my fellow Trustees, I am very honoured to be a part of what we believe is essential for the continued success of our communities, province and country - the education of our youth.

With great pride, we are sharing our 2023 Annual Report, which provides an illustrative sampling of the incredible accomplishments that happen daily in our schools. We believe our students and staff are among the best in the world, and the theme of this year鈥檚 report, #WeAreKPR, is a reflection of their success.

We are also excited by the adoption of our new 2023鈥�2026 strategic plan this past December: Inspiring Excellence in Learning, Success in Life and Community, which we believe sets a path for our further growth as a school board. Developed with input from our communities, after widespread consultation, we are eager to put the plan into action and embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

As an organization, we sincerely believe that public education is a cornerstone of our democracy in Ontario. Our schools are places of wonder and joy, accepting of all, where every child has a chance to realize their greatness.

Jaine Klassen Jeninga, Chairperson of the Board

Celebrating Everyday Heroes: Lee Anne Wiatrzyk

The #WeAreKPR campaign was created to share positive stories and highlight the amazing contributions of our staff, students and volunteers. One group of individuals that is always working diligently to ensure schools function smoothly is school custodians.

Lee Anne is hard at work every day at Dr. Ross Tilley Public School. In addition to maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the building for over 500 students and 55 staff, Lee Anne contributes towards a strong sense of community within the building.

Through her supportive and caring attitude, she has an especially positive impact on students with special or different needs. 鈥淟ee Anne is a keystone of Dr. Ross Tilley PS,鈥� says Deirdre Morgenstern, principal. 鈥淪he gives tirelessly of herself and takes enormous pride and ownership in keeping the school gleaming, with a smile on her face and obvious optimism,鈥� she shares.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Celebrating Everyday Heroes: John Davies

John is described as an integral and highly respected member of the Kawartha Heights PS team. As a trusted adult to students of all ages, he can be seen interacting with students in the hallways, giving high fives and spreading positivity wherever he goes.听

鈥淭here is nothing better than seeing kids excited to help Mr. Davies,鈥� shares Brooke Ostapek, principal. 鈥淛ohn鈥檚 care for our school is focused on maintaining and enhancing our building. His eye for detail ensures that every corner of our school is not only clean, but also inviting. We are so lucky to have such a dedicated custodian that holds us all together,鈥� she adds.听

Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Celebrating Everyday Heroes: Margaret Armstrong

The #WeAreKPR campaign was created to share positive stories and highlight the amazing contributions of our staff,听students and volunteers. One group of individuals that is always working diligently to ensure schools function smoothly
is school custodians.

Margaret plays an important role keeping up with everyday responsibilities, coordinating summer projects, and maintaining a safe environment for the students and staff at Roseneath Centennial Public School. No matter what she is faced with, Margaret brings a positive, solution-focused attitude to her work 鈥� and her passion does not go unnoticed by her colleagues.

鈥淢argaret always has a smile on her face and an infectious laugh.听 She participates in every spirit day with joy and enthusiasm,鈥� says Kendra Dillabough, the school secretary. In addition to her team spirit, Margaret has a kind and compassionate approach with the students. 鈥淭hey feel comfortable talking with her and sharing their thoughts and feelings with her. She always lends a hand when anyone needs it,鈥� shares Kendra.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Creating Learning Conditions to Support Students鈥� Unique Needs

Staff at Orono Public School are working together to adapt and create learning conditions that meet the unique needs of every learner. One student in particular, with unique learning challenges, is thriving as a result of the individualized support and positive encouragement received from his team at the school.

Gage, who is legally blind, is a Grade 3 student who brings enthusiasm, positivity and perseverance to his learning every day. Working with Yvonne, a Braillist Educational Assistant (EA) and Angela, his classroom teacher, Gage is supported in accessing the curriculum and the expanded core curriculum specific for students who are blind and low vision. Yvonne and Angela also collaborate with the Vision Itinerant Teacher and community agencies to ensure Gage is equipped with the appropriate tools and resources to help him succeed both in and outside the classroom.

Yvonne鈥檚 role also includes creating engaging, interest-based braille texts that connect with classroom learning. By focusing on strategies for auditory learners and using technology to access print and other learning materials, Gage follows along with class lessons and work.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

3 students playing with a robot on the floor

Coding and Science in the Classroom

To support continuous learning and student success, five听KPR schools are participating in a fun Science and Coding听pilot project. This work connects to the Coding and the听Impact of Coding and Emerging Technologies learning听strand of the updated Science curriculum.

Educators and Teaching and Learning consultants co-plan and co-teach science lessons that integrate science and coding skills, critical thinking about the impact of technology, and transferrable skills, such as problem solving and innovation. This opportunity allows educators to learn coding and robotics skills alongside students and gradually build their capacity.听

Engaging in rich learning tasks, such as designing and building an environmentally friendly farming robot, allows students to engage with science concepts in a fun and meaningful way. Students are also exposed to future opportunities in skilled trades, innovation and environmental sustainability.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Early Intervention = Making a Difference

Bringing education partners together to provide students with support early in their academic journey is making a big difference in helping students reach their reading goals.

Early Intervention Teachers (EITs) provide differentiated, small-group reading interventions to Grade 1 students in 38 KPR schools, with an intentional, integrated focus on social-emotional learning skills. In collaboration with the board鈥檚 Teaching and Learning consultants, principals, families and colleagues, EITs collaboratively support literacy learning and leadership across the school.

Alongside Grade 1 teachers, EITs approach reading development and social-emotional learning with the intent to:听听

-teach foundational reading skills within purposeful and meaningful contexts.

-gather timely and ongoing assessment data to identify a student鈥檚 progress.

鈥� use evidence-based resources to plan instruction of early reading.
鈥� apply strategies that support social-emotional learning in the context of reading.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Math Coaches Support Educators, Curriculum

Math is a team effort in KPR, as math coaches work in Grade 3 and Grade 6 classrooms to support math curriculum and the Scope and Sequence learning model. The coaches work alongside educators to deliver effective math instruction and assessment, support ongoing math learning, and use relevant and responsive math interventions.

Based on student data, Grade 6 educators at Murray Centennial Public School decided to focus on the area of multiplication to better support student learning.听The school administrator, math coach and a math consultant co-facilitated a day of learning. The educators discussed areas of student need based on assessment data; and reviewed math processes such as communication, representation, reasoning and proving. The educators then spent time with research about how students develop an understanding of multiplication.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Teachers Share Knowledge to Inspire Learning and Belonging

KPR staff are ambassadors of public education who work together to support positive student outcomes. Their dedication, passion and commitment make many kinds of success possible for students every day.

Alison Osmond is a Grade 1 French Immersion teacher with over 20 years of experience. Her passion for student learning is evident. 鈥淭he kids are excited to learn just about anything, and if we can take their ideas and bring them into the classroom, they鈥檙e almost ten times more excited,鈥� she shares.

Katrina Fennell is a new Grade 1 teacher who has benefitted from Alison sharing her experiences and perspectives, as the two of them, along with other teachers in their school, collaborate to create the conditions for student success.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report .

Prime Minister鈥檚 Award for Teaching Excellence

Our staff are world-class leaders in education. We congratulate Karen Watson, Teacher, Port Hope High School (PHHS), for the national recognition of her professional accomplishments and dedication to students and the Port Hope community with her receipt of the Prime Minister鈥檚 Award for Teaching Excellence.

With over 20 years of service at PHHS, Karen is a school and community leader who has taught Grades 9-12, Math, Cooperative Education, Guidance, Physical Education, Special Education, Geography, Business, Civics/ Careers and E-learning.

As part of the award announcement, Karen was recognized for her innovative and exemplary teaching practice.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Grade 8 Students Exploring Skilled Trades

Many Grade 8 students had the opportunity this summer听to explore technology skills, try out welding and enhance听their design sense.

Last July, KPRDSB offered a Grade 9 Exploring Technologies credit at Cobourg Collegiate Institute specifically for female-identifying students in the Northumberland area. Students had the opportunity to build their design thinking skills all while using tools, developing confidence and having fun. As part of the course, students participated in a Mind Over Metal Camp, sponsored by the CWB Welding Foundation. Hands-on learning at this camp helps build self-esteem and sparks interest in a rewarding skilled trades career.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

KPR Secondary Schools 鈥� Supporting Success for All

黄色直播 District School Board secondary schools inspire students to excel in learning, succeed in life and enrich our communities.

Success is supported based on each individual鈥檚 unique strengths, skills and needs 鈥� university, college and the workplace are all valued pathways. At KPR secondary schools, students can discover and pursue their interests, take a wide variety of courses and build connections through clubs, groups and teams. Whether students are passionate about the arts, technology, trades or academics, we offer something for everyone.

Students who like to problem-solve, make and create, or work with their hands, can find many technology and trades course options at KPR secondary schools. Schools also offer specialized program options, such as Specialist High Skills Majors, where students can explore a variety of career pathways. These programs provide valuable work experience, placement opportunities and experiential learning, which can lead to apprenticeship, employment or college.
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Secondary School videos

Student Leaders Share Ideas, Ensure their Voices are Heard

One of the system actions in KPR鈥檚 Board Action Plan is to engage and empower students and community to share their voice and experience in education. One of the ways we do this is by purposely making time to meet directly with groups of students, to ask questions and listen to their feedback.

Director Rita Russo met with Chemong Public School intermediate student leaders this fall to talk about successes and barriers that contribute to positive student achievement. At the time, she also asked students what we can do to support them in meeting their goals and having experiences that support their well-being. Students provided open and honest feedback that can help inform system planning, action and support student success.

At the end of last school year, we asked elementary and secondary students in the Courtice region of our Board to share their voices, by telling us about their school experiences, what they need to be successful and how schools and staff can support them. Their feedback was shared with KPR鈥檚 school and system leaders in August, and some of their thoughts are captured in this video.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Promoting the Trades 鈥� This is Not a Box!

Last November, Grade 4 to 6 educators from across the听school board attended a full day of learning to help promote听understanding of the skilled trades. Teaching and Learning staff, Max Thompson (Experiential Learning Consultant)听and Erin MacKenzie (OYAP Recruiter), shared information听about the apprenticeship pathway in secondary and postsecondary听while supporting connections in the science听and math curriculum.

Participants left the session with a This is Not A Box听kit to work on a project in their classrooms.听

鈥淭he professional development was informative and left me feeling empowered with tools and strategies that I could implement in the class the next day. Our class has spent time learning about the importance of the trades industries and how we are all connected to them, many with loved ones working in the trades. Many of my students are very excited to consider careers in the trades,鈥� says Jennifer Cowie, Grade 4 Teacher, North Shore Public School.
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Grade 10 Pathway Planning Keeps Student Options Open

In KPR, all post-secondary pathways 鈥� apprenticeship, college, community, university and work, are valued at KPR. Encouraging students to explore these pathways and to keep all their options open toward a post-secondary destination is important.

As students transition out of Grade 9 de-streamed classes, secondary schools support students and families in making educational pathway decisions for Grade 10 that meet their needs and support future education pathway options.
听

To help secondary schools assist students and families in choosing a Grade 10 pathway for compulsory courses, KPR has created a Pathways Planning Resource for Administrators, which includes important considerations for all stakeholders, parent/guardian information, classroom educator information and considerations for Student Success teams.
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Staff participating in a 2 day reading symposium

Summer Reading Symposium Supports New Language Curriculum

With the release of the new Language curriculum for Grades 1鈥�9 in June 2023, KPR organized a Summer Reading Symposium to support understanding of these significant revisions. Professional Activity days at the beginning of the 2023鈥�2024 school year also provided opportunities to assist educators in navigating the changes.

Elementary and secondary teachers, early childhood educators, educational assistants, consultants, coaches, principals, superintendents, and the Director participated in the two-day symposium in late August. In addition to exploring the science behind 鈥淗ow Reading Happens鈥� and the foundational literacy skills that support this, participants had opportunities to connect with expectations from the Board Action Plan. This involved exploring the skills required to create a strong foundation for student achievement in literacy and addressing opportunity gaps to support equitable outcomes for learners.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Indigenous Education through Discussion and Activities

As part of our continued focus on Indigenous education, KPR students and staff engage in meaningful learning about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S). This work supports our ongoing learning and action for Reconciliation, and our collective recognition of important days such as National Day of Action for MMIWG2S, observed on October 4, and National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S, which takes place every year on May 5.

Through age-appropriate discussions and reflection activities, students learn about the important roles of Indigenous women and girls in their families, communities and nations 鈥� highlighting their strength, agency and traditional responsibilities. They also discuss the perceptions and lived realities of Indigenous communities, and the violence that continues to have a disproportionate impact on Indigenous women and girls, including 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Partners Work Together to Improve Wellness

At Courtice North Public School, students, staff, school council, families, Public Health partners and community members are working together in amazing ways to support wellness. What started out as a desire to address the impacts of social media and screen time on mental health, evolved into a Wellness Committee and a whole school and community effort to implement a series of meaningful well-being strategies.

One of the first activities involved intermediate students leading 鈥淓scape the Vape鈥� 鈥� an escape room game for students that highlighted the dangers of vaping. Next came Family Wellness Night in April, which included family painting, yoga, wellness tables with information on mental health, screen time and other wellness information from the Durham Region Health Department.

This year, Durham College placement students are leading weekly seminars with students focused on building social emotional skills.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Culturally Relevant Resources Improve Student Engagement

In KPR, we understand that equity work is an ongoing practice and that all educators must take action towards building an inclusive community within their schools and classrooms. In partnership, the Teaching and Learning department, the Indigenous Education department and the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) department created professional learning for secondary educators across all curriculum areas regarding authentic voice texts and identity affirming resource selection.

Engaging in collaborative professional learning with an equity lens helps to ensure that KPR students feel seen and heard in their classrooms. This is important work for educators to recognize that curriculum is not only Ministry documents, textbooks, novels and course outlines.

Curriculum consists of everything in the school environment. Students learn from what is around them. We know that student engagement and achievement increase when classroom curriculum, instruction, assessment and resources are culturally relevant and responsive to the learners in the classroom.
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report

Student Leaders Share Ideas, Ensure their Voices are Heard

KPR鈥檚 Student Senate renewed their #WeAreKPR spirit and passion for student leadership at this year鈥檚 team-building retreat. The Student Senate is a committee of secondary students responsible for soliciting and elevating student voice across the board, to ensure student issues, priorities and concerns are actively heard and represented at the Board table.

The retreat was held in October, providing student representatives an important opportunity to come together, share ideas and build collective goals and priorities to make a positive difference this school year.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

听

After-School Literacy with Newcomer Families

Bowmanville High School (BHS) and the surrounding Clarington area have been pleased to welcome many newcomer families in the last few years. Educators at BHS recognized the diverse needs of these students and families and came up with a collaborative proposal to build engaging connections with families. With support from school administration and the Teaching and Learning Department, they created an after-school parent class to support English literacy development. Initially the class was scheduled to run once a week, but participants were so enthusiastic after the first session that BHS staff members decided to offer two classes per week.

Parents of newcomer students are invited to attend the class with their children while BHS staff members volunteer their time to teach everyone who attends. During the class, participants work on a variety of basic literacy skills, share stories and sometimes they even share delicious food.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Holiday Food Drive a Huge Success

Port Hope High School, Dr. M.S. Hawkins Senior Public School and the Ganaraska Child Care Centre participated in a joint Food and Toiletries Drive in support of the Fair Share Food Bank and the Rose Quest this past holiday season.

Thanks to all students, staff and families who brought in over 225 kg (500 pounds) of food and toiletries for the community 鈥� and to Learning and Life Skills (LLS) classes for helping to sort and organize the donations.
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

听

Planning for the Future 鈥� KPRDSB鈥檚 New Strategic Plan

Every four years, with the election of a new Board of Trustees, the 黄色直播 District School Board undertakes a process to develop a new strategic plan for the organization.

To ensure that the new strategic plan sets the vision for a strong and sustainable future and responds to the needs of those we serve, from March through June 2023, we consulted and engaged with students, staff, families, partners and community members across all regions of our school district. Through this collaboration, we asked important questions and listened openly.听Strategic Plan 2023-26

Schools are the Heart of Communities

Our students, staff and families benefit immensely from the time, talents, and expertise that thousands of community volunteers provide in our schools daily.

Volunteers Karen Watson, better known as Miz, and Vicky Carter, were recognized this year at Havelock-Belmont Public School (HBPS) for their outstanding dedication to the school community in support of the breakfast program.

It was this exceptional commitment, specifically from Miz and her critical leadership and devotion to the school鈥檚 breakfast program and volunteerism at HBPS for 24 years, that garnered regional, provincial, and, ultimately, national attention, as she earned enough votes across the country to win an $18,000 prize as Timber Mart鈥檚 Local Leader of the Year. These funds will go a long way in supporting the HBPS breakfast program and other student activities well into the future.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Impact and Action = Positive Citizenship

Mme. Hughes鈥� Grade 7 class at Duke of Cambridge Public School听 are learning about the impact of their actions online and promoting responsible digital citizenship. They have been hard at work, displaying their creativity, teamwork and digital literacy skills to create a collaborative poster on the topic of 鈥淥ur Digital Footprint鈥� and how to be a good digital citizen.

鈥淚鈥檝e learned that being a good digital citizen is like being a good friend on the Internet. It鈥檚 not just about following rules, but about being kind, respectful and responsible online. We need to understand that everything we do and say online can affect others, so it鈥檚 important to be kind and think before we post,鈥� says Elliot, a Grade 7 student at Duke of Cambridge PS.
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.听

听

Students Become 鈥淧orch Pirates for Good鈥�

Students in the EDGE Program at Crestwood Secondary School supported the community this fall, participating in the annual 鈥淧orch Pirates for Good鈥� Food Drive organized by Kawartha Food Share.

A total of 65 students in Grades 9鈥�12 took part in this volunteer initiative by distributing flyers leading up to the pickup day, and collecting donated items. Students delivered the donated items to the Kawartha Food Share warehouse where they will be used in food banks and meal programs to support the community.听
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

Community Walk for Climate

`The Environmental Club at East Northumberland Secondary School (ENSS) shared their passion for environmental sustainability with the community by leading a Community Walk for Climate.

Joined by community members and members of Brighton鈥檚 Sustainability Committee, students came together to help increase awareness about the earth鈥檚 climate and remind everyone to take action against climate change.
Read the full story in this year's Director's Annual Report.

黄色直播 District School Board
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