Foster McIntyre was the only student representing Renfrew County at Queen’s Park in Toronto during the first meeting of the Minister’s Student Advisory Council on Monday, May 7.
He was selected as one of the 60 students from more than 300 applicants for a seat at the Council.

OLF Principal, Jeannie Armstrong describes Foster as someone who is typically very reserved, but very passionate about the arts and public speaking. “I know he would be a great ambassador for our system. “His flair is really in the performance realm and I see him as the perfect person to encourage more support of the arts, which is an important factor for student engagement,” noting that he takes on a completely different persona when in front of a crowd.

Armstrong encouraged him to apply for the position since “he has such special talents, he’s really good at debating, is a confident and persuasive public speaker and is very articulate.”
Foster says his father, Bruce, also suggested he apply for a position on the Council, and “I thought it sounded neat.”

Students from English, French, Public and Catholic school boards across Ontario in Grades 7 through 12 are eligible to apply for a position. The team of selected students will work closely with the Ministry of Education to share ideas and advice on how to ensure Ontario schools remain the best in the world.

Successful applicants spend one year on the council and work on SpeakUp projects. Funds are allocated through a grant and are directed to each of the 60 team members’ schools to assist in developing their projects that focus on team building and increasing student engagement.
Armstrong says Foster’s project will most likely be centred on the arts.

The 12-year-old was very surprised to get the phone call and letter in April inviting him to the first session on Monday. “I was at home eating a sub when the phone rang,” he says, grinning about how he first heard the good news.

Foster feels that the creative arts should receive equal attention to athletics for the benefit of students who aren’t so athletically inclined. “Although sports are important and help keep kids active, the arts help round out a student’s overall development during the school year,” says the Grade 7 student who enjoys drawing, public speaking and has been the lead performer for the past three years in the school play.

Foster is most looking forward to listening to the other 59 delegates share their opinions. Two years ago, Kaylin Friske was named a member of the Advisory Council along with another student from Pembroke. This year, there is just one student representing Renfrew County, and Foster says, “I feel pretty good about it.”

Foster has already represented the county well, being chosen for his public speaking background to read a thank you letter to Minister of Education Laurel Broten at the conference. Making his initial experience even more memorable was the inclusion of one of his agenda items on the final list of topics for the Minister.

He’s excited about his appointment and looking forward to a full-week session in July and “meeting all of the other people.”

“I’m really proud that we were able to have Kaylin represent us and now Foster. This is such an amazing opportunity—it allows the children from our area to have the full Toronto experience. They’ll get to see how the challenges are different here in our rural community compared to the larger urban areas and also that the opportunities are different,” says Armstrong. Encouraging students to voice their opinions is nothing new at Fatima, so both Kaylin’s and Foster’s acceptance to this council “speaks to the engagement piece here at Fatima.”

“As educators, our job is to develop critical thinkers and life-long learners so our students can articulate their views as adults. This is recognition that our students are learning these skills now and will be well prepared for the future.”

May 15, 2012

For more information, contact:
Michele Arbour, Director of Education
Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
499 Pembroke Street West
Pembroke, ON K8A 5P1
Phone: 613-735-1031 or 1-800-267-019l

2012 – 2013 School Year Calendar

Michele Arbour, Director of Education, states that during the redeployment process the school and principal/vice-principal profiles were used to match individual leaders with the priorities and needs of the diverse communities in the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board.

Ms. Arbour acknowledged that she sees the movement of principals and vice-principals across the system as a healthy sign of growth.

“We believe that it is professionally and personally enriching for our principals and vice-principals to experience leadership opportunities in various school communities within our Catholic system.  These talented leaders will generously share their faith, academic expertise and strong collaboration skills with our students, parents, parishes and the larger community.”

 
For further information, please contact:

Ms. Michele Arbour, Director of Education
Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
499 Pembroke Street West
Pembroke, Ontario, K8A 5P1
Phone:  613-735-1031 or 1-800-267-0191

May 1, 2012

“This is a very important week in our school year,” Director of Education Michele Arbour says. “Each of our schools will share the gift of Catholic education with our many partners and provide a variety of community activities throughout the week.”

The Board’s Catholic Education Week Committee sent out a lesson plan, prayer and activities kit to all schools in early April to help them get ready for the upcoming celebrations. As well, schools have been preparing since last fall with prayer services, artwork and other activities anticipating the week’s theme.

Committee Chair Tony Cosentino says a wide range of activities has been planned. “A lot of effort has gone into this weeklong celebration,” Cosentino said. “At the same time, Catholic Education Week also gives us an opportunity to thank all those who help us to walk in the light of Christ throughout the year.” Superintendent of Education Jaimie Perry adds “We also take this opportunity to celebrate our relationship with parents, the parish and our communities. We all have a role to play in the education of our students. We can all celebrate ‘Walking in the Light of Christ.’ ”

In addition to special Mass celebrations, schools have many other activities scheduled over the week. On May 6, St. Andrew’s Catholic School in Killaloe is planning a banner procession and crowning of the Virgin Mary at Sunday Mass, says Principal Mary Catherine Brisco. “On Monday, there will be a prayer service and a talk by Ray Lafleur about the Travelling Mary statue, a procession with the Virgin Mary and an outdoor Living Rosary. On Tuesday, there will be a prayer service and Sisters Faustina and Michael Daniel from the Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate will talk about what it is like to know the light of Christ. “On Wednesday, there will be a prayer service and a Light Show for grandparents,” Principal Brisco adds. “On Thursday, there will be a prayer service and Skype with Scott Murray (a seminarian from St. Andrew’s Parish) from Rome and Tony Cosentino will sing and chat about loving in the light of Christ. Friday’s prayer service will include Stations of Leaders of the Light where students will travel to stations of people who are leaders in social justice to learn what it means to give of oneself to help others as well as other “light” activities that focus on kindness, and being the best person that we can be.”

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School in Renfrew will have a school walk as well as a school dance that follows the week’s theme “Walking in the Light of Christ.” Principal Connie Dick also says there is an art display in the school depicting “a lighthouse with all of our footprints and names on it.”

Meanwhile, St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Renfrew will send a busload of students to take part in the March for Life in Ottawa. St. Joseph’s will celebrate Pro-Life Week during Catholic Education Week with a number of awareness activities. As well, a student team that recently visited the Dominican Republic will make presentations at other Catholic schools in the area to talk about their trip.

Three students at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Calabogie will celebrate their First Communion at Sunday Mass as part of Catholic Education Week. Throughout the week, students are also involved in special daily prayer services, says Principal Jody Weller.

John XXIII Catholic School in Arnprior is holding a “For the Love of Art” show, says Principal Heidi Fraser. “Student art is displayed like an actual art show for parents to come and mingle, and discuss the artworks with their children,” Fraser says. “We are also having a weeklong book fair.”

Cathedral Elementary Catholic School in Pembroke will display a banner throughout Catholic Education Week at St. Columbkille’s Cathedral Church. Sunday’s 10:30 a.m. Mass will also include children’s petitions and the Catholic Education Week theme. Cathedral Rector, Father Tait will be present for Catholic Education Week’s opening school prayer service in the school gym on Monday morning. Prayer services will continue every morning with special readings, reflections and prayer intentions. There will also be a Living Rosary in the schoolyard on Friday afternoon with Father Tait.

Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Westmeath plans a Family Eucharist at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Sunday, May 6. Principal Shelley Montgomery says that students also will have in-class activities from the Catholic Education Week package during the week, and on Tuesday, Grade 7 students will host a Seniors’ Day Celebration lunch.

Principal Karen Kenny of Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School in Pembroke says that the Catholic Education Week packages will be used in classroom activities throughout the week. There will also be a prayer service each morning, a Living Rosary, and the entire student body will make friendship bracelets.

St. Mary’s Catholic School in Wilno will invite former principals, staff and students to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the school’s opening “The congregation will then be invited back to the school for a luncheon and to view memorabilia, pictures, etc.,” says Principal Ann Lepine.

St. Casimir’s Catholic School in Round Lake is planning an outdoor Living Rosary, which will be led by Vice-Principal Maureen Enright, on Monday, May 7. As well, the school will have daily prayer services, says Principal David P. Giroux.

At St. John Bosco Catholic School in Barry’s Bay, students will display their best artwork on the wall in the gym, while the whole school enjoys some of the individual and class talents in the performing arts, says Principal Marie Finnerty. “Singing, dancing and story-telling are among some of the acts. Our itinerant music teacher, Ms. Voorand, will be showcasing a couple of her drama/dance performances as well.”

Principal Finnerty also says there will be daily read-alouds focusing on the theme “Walking in the Light of Christ.” “We will also have a day entitled Catholic Virtues Day, where we will focus on words and actions that emulate Jesus’ way. We will be participating in the Grey Matter Challenge and Chess that week, showcasing our God-given talents as well. Daily Catholic Education Week prayers and liturgies will begin our day. The halls and classrooms will be beaming with the Light of Christ.”

April 30, 2012

For further information, please contact:
Michele Arbour, Director of Education
Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
499 Pembroke Street West
Pembroke, ON K8A 5P1
Phone: 613-735-1031 or 1-800-267-019l

Summer School, which will run from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. between July 3 and July 26, is open to RCCDSB’s Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8 students. The Board also offers a Credit Recovery Program, which includes web-based learning, for secondary school students to pick up any credits they may have missed during the school year.

The programs will be offered at Bishop Smith Catholic High School in Pembroke, Cathedral Catholic School in Pembroke, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Petawawa, St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Arnprior, St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Renfrew, St. James Catholic School in Eganville and St. John Bosco Catholic School in Barry’s Bay.

The elementary school program focuses on improvement in numeracy and literacy skills, says Shelley Montgomery, Principal of Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Westmeath. Montgomery is coordinating the summer program with Jeannie Armstrong, Principal at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Renfrew.

“Our teachers work hard to enhance literacy and numeracy skills, but in an interactive and engaging manner,” Montgomery says. “The Board also offers transportation to allow equal access to all of our students in our system.”

The program will include regular visits from a staff member of the Boys and Girls Club, Montgomery says, to provide some physical activities.

Grade 7 and 8 students will work in a blended learning style, according to Montgomery, which will include face-to-face time with the teacher as well as a software program to create further engagement.

RCCDSB’s Summer School program is part of a research project, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE). The project aims to understand the learning gains made by students who attend summer school. Funding from this research helps to hire classroom tutors for each site and additional resources to enhance programming, Montgomery says.

“A third very exciting component to our summer school season,” says Montgomery, “is the Crusader Camp at Bishop Smith for Grade 4 students. And this year Jaguar Camp is offered at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Renfrew.” The two camps run four days each. The Bishop Smith camp will be held from July 3 to 6, while St. Joseph’s camp will be held from July 10 to 13.

“The camps are designed to excite our young students about their future high school adventure,” says Montgomery. “We give them a sneak peek at some of the programs that are offered at the high school. Cooking, woodworking, music, physical education, outdoor education and computer/media technology are some components of our camp. Again, transportation is available and the students will receive daily healthy snacks.”

April 27, 2012

For more information about the RCCDSB’s Summer School program, contact
Michele Arbour, Director of Education
Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
499 Pembroke Street West
Pembroke, ON K8A 5P1
Phone: 613-735-1031 or 1-800-267-019l

One new button you may have noticed is our new Twitter follow button. We at RCCDSB know we have so many great things happening in our schools each day. We also know that communicating with our parents and our communities is very important. That is why we set up a Twitter account. It is a quick and efficent way for all of the RCCDSB family and communities to share in the exciting things that our students are doing across the county.

Take a minute to click on our follow button and add us to your list. Staff, tell you parents and students. Parents, share with the community. If you don’t have a twitter account, it is very easy to sign up for one.  Together we can all share on the great things happening at RCCDSB, and we can all see the reason that we are “Schools to Believe INn

Alexandria won the Bell Canada Award for Excellent Use of Technology in Health Research with a $50 cash prize and the Junior Physical Science and Mathematics category with a $55 cash prize. Alexandria also won the 2012 Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation Stepping Stone Award, and a trip to the Charlottetown competition.

Michelle Jessup, who teaches Grade 8 science at St. Michael’s, said the school was delighted with both girls’ success at the regional science fair. “The competition gives the students an opportunity to explore a different avenue of science than what they might be studying. It allows them to use their creativity and to expand their knowledge,” Jessup said.

Savanna’s winning project, called Milk Replacer, Metering and Mixing Station, was based on her interest in her family’s dairy farm. Savanna devised a machine to measure and mix the powdered formula fed to calves shortly after their birth. Savanna says that her invention, which includes a blender, tubes, valves and a bucket, is already being put to use at her family’s farm.

Alexandria’s project, called Caution-Corrosive: Is this your water?, focuses on the well water used in her family’s household. Last year, Alexandria won a Life Sciences award at the regional science fair for her project on testing the PH level of her family’s water supply. This year Alexandria expanded on that project by comparing the corrosiveness of the tap water in her home, which has a high PH level (high alkalinity), with water that had been neutralized with vinegar and distilled water. Alexandria tested the relative corrosiveness of the three types of water on several materials, including steel, copper, a countertop, and corn and bean plants.

Both Savanna and Alexandria are looking forward to their trip to Charlottetown. “We’re very proud and excited for them,” Jessup added. “It will be a wonderful experience for them and they’ll bring back lots of information for our other students about where they have been and what they have done. It’s a wonderful opportunity and they’ll have an amazing time.” Jessup said another benefit of the students’ success is the encouragement for other students in the school to compete in the fair next year. “Other students will have confidence to try next year. This encourages upcoming students to become involved and participate.”

St. Michael’s principal John Freemark said that the achievements of Alexandria and Savanna are excellent examples for their fellow students. “They also are great ambassadors of the St. Michael’s School community,” he added.

The Renfrew County Catholic District School Board is very proud of Savanna’s and Alexandria’s success at the science fair, said Jaimie Perry, Superintendent of Educational Services. “Not only are we proud of both students’ accomplishments,” Superintendent Perry said. “But this reflects on the quality of the science program at St. Michael’s as well as across our Board.”

For details about the Renfrew County Regional Science & Technology Fair, visit the website at http://rcrsf.ca/2012/01/announcing-the-2011-renfrew-county-regional-science-fair/

April 11, 2012

For more information, contact:
Michele Arbour, Director of Education
Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
499 Pembroke Street West
Pembroke, ON K8A 5P1
Phone: 613-735-1031 or 1-800-267-019l

On Tuesday, April 3, the students in Bishop Smith’s Outdoor Education program attended a daylong series of workshops conducted by Outdoor Adventure Naturalist students from Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus. Courses, which were led by the 15 Algonquin students, included Leave No Trace Camping and Fire-Building, Shelter Building, Expedition Planning, Clothing and a Low Ropes Challenge Course.

“It’s an awesome partnership between Bishop Smith and Algonquin,” said Bishop Smith teacher Damian Solar, who organized the event with Algonquin College professor Ian Pineau. “The activity provides an integral link between the secondary and post-secondary opportunities in our community. In the workshops, some current, real and hands-on skills were passed on to our high school students from their post-secondary mentors. The event also provided the Algonquin students with valuable leadership opportunities.”

Solar also noted that the event demonstrated the value of the Shaw Woods site as well as the Shaw Wood Education Centre initiative. “Shaw Woods has tremendous value and possibility in the realm of education,” Solar added.

Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre is located near Lake Doré on the Snake River, not far from Eganville on property owned for generations by the Shaw family’s lumber company. The Shaws allow public access to the Shaw Woods, with its system of trails that wind through an old growth forest, a variety of geological sites as well as a wide range of tree and plant species. The Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre is managed by a board of directors with representatives from Algonquin College, Renfrew County’s four Boards of Education, the Hila Science Camp, Shaw Lumber, Renfrew County Stewardship, Connaught Nursery, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan and private citizens.
The Education Centre’s goal is to foster an ethic of responsible environmental stewardship and a balanced approach to land use. It is used for a variety of education programs for area schools, as well as for community organizations and the public.

April 10, 2012

For more information, contact:
Michele Arbour, Director of Education
Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
499 Pembroke Street West
Pembroke, ON K8A 5P1
Phone: 613-735-1031 or 1-800-267-0191