Re-animating the RCCDSB Vision Statement

After 20 years, the Vision Statement that has inspired and guided our Board is being re-animated. The purpose of reanimating our vision is “To engage and become familiar with a process to reclaim, rearticulate, re-energize and re-celebrate the vision statement of the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (RCCDSB).

“The landscape of education has changed in the past 20 years, however, our foundation still remains rooted in Jesus Christ” says Dave Noble, Project Leader. “Our objective is to ensure that our Vision is still relevant in 2021 and into the future and reengage staff and stakeholders in our core values and what we hope to achieve.”

The Vision Statement Steering Committee is made up of Bob Michaud, RCCDSB Trustee, Pierre-Alain Giffard, Diocese of Pembroke, Katie Brohart (Stunt) Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), Julie Huckabone, Catholic Principals’ Council Ontario (CPCO), David Afelskie, RCCDSB Religious & Family Life Education Special Assignment Teacher, Sean Fitzgerald, RCCDSB and PIC Parent Council, and Kellie Hisko, Indigenous Education Lead and Member of our Equity and Inclusion Team, as well as Director of Education Mark Searson.

Our re-animation planOne of the most important aspects of the review providing the opportunity for input from our various stakeholders.

Volume 16 • Issue 1 • Fall 2021

Notebook

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When Who What

August RCCDSB Principals and senior staff Leadership engage in professional Team meeting development surrounding

the reanimation of the Vision statement.

September Principals and lead all staff members of Vice Principals their schools in a similar

activity to AugustDirector of Education lead board office and

transportation professional development

October/ Vision data collection from other

November Statement stakeholders (i.e., students, Committee school councils, trustees, etc.)

December Vision review data, discuss and Statement decide on next steps Committee

January/ Various have opportunity for input on

February Stakeholders Committee’s recommended changes (if needed)

March/ Vision will carry out any necessary

April Statement changes to Vision StatementCommittee

May 2022 RCCDSB release of our newly animated Vision Statement!

RCCDSB Student Trustee lends her voice to new initiativeEmily Tracey, St. Joseph High School student and RCCDSB Student Trustee, played an important role in bringing about an important investment for students across Ontario—the Menstrual Equity Initiative.

When the Executive Director of the Toronto Youth Cabinet, Steven Mensah, reached out about support from the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board in an equity initiative they were spearheading, Emily was keen to participate.

“Period poverty is most definitely a real thing, and I believe that a school is a place where no student should feel like having access to menstrual products should be a worry they have on their mind while being at a place where your primary focus should be being able to learn and grow,” says Emily.

The initiative’s goal was to have the Ontario government fund free menstrual products for students across Ontario. This would relieve the responsibility for funding such programs from the individual school boards and/or

be provided to students at priority schools, free of cost,” in schools and result in a consistent approach in all schools collaboration with Shoppers Drug Mart which will supply in the province.the menstrual products.

“As a student trustee, I felt that this initiative showed great That is music to Emily’s ears.potential to provide equity and inclusivity within our

schools. And with that, all schools across Ontario,” stated “It was really amazing to see the announcement made Emily. on October 8 with the Ministry of Education announcing

their partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart to provide free On October 8, the Ministry of Education announced that menstrual products. It was a great feeling—I am glad we it “will provide all school boards, school authorities and succeeded!”consortia with a starting supply of menstrual products to

Feedback to date Staff also shared stories of witnessing Each day this student is a cheerleader for all the Vision Statement lived out by staff or of his classmates. During class discussions he RCCDSB staff who participated in an students. is constantly stating what wonderful ideas his activity on the Professional Development

peers have, how amazing their work is.”Day on September 24, 2021, were “Often I see students openly and willingly thankful for the opportunity to partake offering help to those that are struggling. The collected and coded input from in the exercise and shared their thoughts. Whether it be emotionally, physically, all stakeholders will inform possible When staff were asked, “What parts of intellectually, or spiritually, our students changes to our current Vision Statement.the Vision Statement they found alive from a young age have been guided to become “Our goal is to have the entire process and energizing,” the overall theme stewards of God and act in his example. Each completed by May 20, 2022, which is our recognized by most staff was to “Sustain day our staff greet each student by name in a Christian Community Day. At that time, safe school environments characterized by warm and welcoming manner that provides the re-animated Vision Statement will warmth, hospitality, good humour and joy.” the opportunity for each student to start each be presented to staff by Director Mark

day with gratitude and reconciliation.”Several staff also commented on our Searson,” says Noble.need to continue more than ever to “I currently have a student who goes out of his “Love unconditionally, as Jesus would have way to demonstrate “nurturing the giftedness, treated each person He encountered.” self-worth and potential of each individual.

“This is what Yahweh asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.”

— Micah 6:8

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Reaching all readers—Investing in primary language at RCCDSBThe journey to reach all readers at RCCDSB continues! While there has always been a wide variety of reading supports and interventions in use in Renfrew County Catholic District School Board, we continue to invest in primary classroom language resources and to expand our assessment and intervention teacher resources.

As we know from the “Learning for All” document, the tiered approach to prevention and intervention is a systematic approach to providing high-quality, evidence-based assessment and instruction and appropriate interventions that respond to students’ individual needs. It is based on frequent monitoring of student progress and the use of assessment data, focusing on learning rate and level, to identify students who are facing These St. John Bosco students are enjoying guided reading time challenges in learning and to plan specific assessment and with teacher Cathy Mask. Left to right are Alice Olver, Sawyer instructional interventions of increasing intensity to address Simpson, and Alison Strack.their needs effectively.

The tiered approach can:• Facilitate early identification of students who may be at risk as well as students who may need greater challenges; • Ensure appropriate and timely interventions to address these students’ needs and significantly reduce the likelihood

that they will develop more intractable problems in the future.

Tier 1All students in Renfrew County Catholic are included in Tier 1 programming in the area of Reading, which takes place in the regular classroom. The teacher observes, monitors student progress, and makes ongoing notes about which students may be having difficulty. Tier 1 strategies and tools include explicit instruction in the Five Big Areas in Reading:• Phonemes in syllables and words• Phonics: the relationships between the letters of written language and the sounds of spoken language• Fluency: reading with speed, accuracy and proper expression• Vocabulary: learning a growing list of words and their meanings. Readers cannot understand what

they are reading without knowing what most of the words mean.• Reading comprehension: understanding and interpreting what is read on a deep level by: activating

prior knowledge, predicting, evaluating, making connections, inferring, visualizing, questioning, determining important information, synthesizing, monitoring and repairing comprehension.

Tier 2At the Tier 2 level, approximately 15–20% of students will require differentiated instruction and intervention planning based on assessment and diagnostic results. At this point, the classroom teacher and Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) may work collaboratively to review early assessment data, ensure appropriate and timely intervention, monitor progress and re-administer assessments at specific points in the school year to determine next steps.

Tier 3Approximately 5–10% of students will continue to struggle in the area of Reading at the Tier 1 and 2 levels and, thus, will require Tier 3 intensive supports and interventions. It’s important to note that students who require Tier 3 supports continue to be part of all the programming and support that takes place in Tiers 1 and 2. Tier 3 programming may include a variety of educators, including the classroom teacher, SERT, special assignment teachers, speech and language pathologists, curriculum and/or special education leads, the school principal, etc.

We know that being an effective reader is a skill that sets children up for success post graduation. We know that providing students with evidence-based programming begins with the teacher, and by investing in high quality instruction and assessment tools, Renfrew County Catholic District School Board has demonstrated its commitment to reaching all readers.

Archery is on target in RCCDSB schoolsStudents and staff across our school board are enjoying the sport of archery and acquiring valuable life lessons at the same time.

The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is an in-school program aimed at improving educational performance among students. Through it, students are learning focus, self-control, discipline, patience, and the life lessons required to be successful in the classroom and in life.

“The focus of this year’s archery program is to engage our students, as well as provide a way to support them, improve wellness, a sense of accomplishment, and provide cross-curricular opportunities,” explains Damian Solar, Outdoor Education and Physical Education Special Assignment Teacher.

Archery exercises mental acuity, body awareness, and mindfulness, adds Nigel Yantha, Teacher, Our Lady of Sorrows, Petawawa, “and can be used as a centering tool for the mind, Teacher Amanda Cameron’s Grade 4/5/6/7/8 class at St. Joseph’s body, and spirit.” Catholic School in Calabogie completed a week-long archery

program. “It’s a sport that really levelled the playing field in There is a NASP certified teacher at each of the elementary and the gym and enabled everyone to feel successful and confident high schools across our school board. throughout the week,” said Cameron.Teacher Amanda Cameron was excited to introduce her students

Her students said: to archery because it’s a sport that really levels the playing “It was a sport that really made me focus and it took my field in the gym and enables everyone to feel successful and mind off everything else. It made us listen very carefully to confident. instructions to ensure that we were all safe.” — Mia

“Students developed many important skills in a short period of time, became much more confident in their abilities and “I was hesitant to try it out at first, because I didn’t know if it really enjoyed the new experience. We capped off the week was something I’d be interested in, but once I learned all the with a morning of friendly competition and challenges, which steps I felt more comfortable and confident in my skills. It was a huge hit! Students even practiced their math skills while helped me take my frustrations out.” — Wyliecalculating sums and differences in points. Students were sad “It made me feel stronger. I set goals for myself each time I shot to see the equipment go and are looking forward to its return, my three arrows.” — Austinso that we can continue honing their skills—skills that are very valuable in Calabogie!” she said.

MenTAl HeAlTH AnD WellneSS ACTIVITIeS

everyday mental health practices enhance wellbeingSocial Emotional Learning (SEL) to “The calendar enhances the material support students as they transition back created by our own educators to focus to school has been a priority this fall at on wellness for 10 lessons. It was RCCDSB. implemented last year and again this

year,” notes Paulsen. “Our mental health and wellness team is focused on supporting individual One favourite of students—Penguin students and classroom presentations Falls—is a short video that encourages using material from the resources students to ‘keep trying’ even if they provided by School Mental Health encounter obstacles (https://sites.google.Ontario, the ministry mental health com/rccdsb.ca/penguin-falls/home). arm,” says Rebecca Paulsen, RCCDSB Students are engaged by standing at Mental Health and Wellness Lead. their desks and jumping each time a

penguin falls.Daily SEL calendars are being used to provide fun activities every day of In addition to educators, the website the week to boost mental health and (https://smho-smso.ca/covid-19) offers wellness. resources for parents and families and

students.

Building Relationship, empathy, Acceptance, Connection and Hope (ReACH)Dubbed “REACH Out”, the goals of a special day for Grade 8 students at our two RCCDSB high schools (St. Joseph, Renfrew and Bishop Smith, Pembroke) are to build Relationship, Empathy, Acceptance, Connection and Hope.

The day involves participation in team-building and leadership games, circle discussions and our school and community resources to engage students, strengthen their sense of community and build an awareness of resources and support that is available to them over the course of their high school career.

“The day begins with some quick presentations of community supports students can access throughout high school before moving into a variety of team-building activities, games, and discussions as students begin their high school journey with us,” says Scott Lafreniere, Safe Schools Coordinator.

REACH Day 2021 was held September 28 for St. Joseph High School students and September 29 for Bishop Smith Catholic High School Students.

“ReACH Day was a great chance to try fun activities with our class, plus a free lunch!” — noah

“It was interesting to see how friendly everyone was, and definitely made me want to stay at Bishop.” — lily

Director’s message Bishop’s messageWe are all familiar with the phrase ‘change is constant’ Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,and we’ve seen firsthand many changes over the course of The diocesan Catholic Churches of the world entered into a great process called “synod” the COVID-19 pandemic that have affected our students, a few weeks ago. Pope Francis officially launched this synodal process of the Catholic staff and schools. Church on October 9 and 10, 2021 in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome. He invites all the COVID-related changes in the form of safety protocols faithful, men and women, religious men and women and clergy to embark on this vast guided by the Ministry of Education and the Renfrew consultation movement which will reach its climax in two years.County District Health Unit continue to be in place in our But what exactly does the word “synod”, so dear to our Holy Father, mean? In Greek, schools this fall and we have made new investments to the word sunodos (in Latin synodus) literally translates as “road-together.” In other mitigate the risks to students and staff. words, when we speak of a synod in the Catholic Church, it refers to a consultative As you see in this issue of Notebook, one exercise our Board process between apostles and other disciples of Christ, the aim of which is to examine is undertaking to ensure that we are keeping pace with the strengths and weaknesses of ecclesial life at all levels. This process of dialogue, in the 21st century changes in Catholic education is a review which we are to “walk together” must begin with the organization of sincere fraternal of our Vision Statement. While the future is uncertain, meetings where we can exchange freely and without fear of being judged. The second step together with stakeholders at all levels of our organization, presupposes that we listen to each other not only with our ears, but above all with our we will recommit to our vision for the future… one that hearts, as the Holy Father invites us to do. Without empathetic and affective listening, it is is engaging and inspiring, and remains based on the practically impossible to gain the trust of others. Finally, the synodal process should lead requirements “to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk us to the third and last stage: that of common and divinely inspired discernment which humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8. will enable us to better understand and actualize the mission of evangelization that Christ

entrusts to his Church even today, despite the difficulties and opposition that we face.In order to help our students through the transition back to in-school learning, this issue of the Notebook also At present, members of our Diocese’s Evangelization Team are working with a special shares some of the Mental Health and Wellness activities committee created by the RCCDSB and the Diocese in order to reflect and to find new taking place in our classrooms with links to resources for ways to pursue the mission of evangelization that Jesus confides to all his disciple. This students, parents and family. ongoing project must also be based on the three steps mentioned above, in regard to the

synodal process recently initiated by the Pope and for the good of the whole Catholic We are thankful to be back to near normal routine, back Church. Throughout our evangelization efforts, we will indeed learn to walk together as with classmates and colleagues. I would like to express my we encounter, listen and discern new ways to discover the loving and merciful presence gratitude to staff, students, and parents for the support of Jesus who is already present in our midst.and hard work to ensure this new school year is a success.

I will conclude with a wish: that the three steps in our synodal process may be imbued Mark Searson with the life-giving anointing of the Holy Spirit. Let us now pray that our “road-RCCDSB Director of Education together” (synod) will be lived according to the desires of the divine Heart of Jesus.

Sincerely yours in Christ our Redeemer,

Chair’s message + Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.RBishop of Pembroke

The 2021–2022 school year began with a week of daily prayers provided by Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) that joined staff and students in celebrating the good work and hope of Catholic Message from our Parent Involvement education. Committee (PIC)The prayers were based on the theme of the 2022 Catholic As our students return to in-person learning in our schools this fall, and our Board works Education Week—Rebuild, Restore, Renew Together. to reanimate its Vision Statement, the PIC committee is excited to be reactivating as well.

Our Board has invested significant resources to ensure The education of our children is a shared responsibility which involves the home, school, that learning takes place in safe school environments parish and community. It is always beneficial when parents are full participants in the characterized by warmth, hospitality, good humour and joy. education of their children. An effective way to do that is by becoming active members of

their Catholic School Council or our PIC. We are always looking for new parent members.Staff, students, parents, Board and administration have most certainly come together to face many challenges and rebuild Our work at the board level includes enhancing parent engagement, providing input to communities of faith and learning. I am grateful for your trustees and staff, supporting school councils and organizing parent workshops.efforts and look forward to a successful school year for all. Jeannie Ivory,

Bob Schreader PIC ChairRCCDSB Chair

Our Mission StatementInspired by our rich heritage and challenged by the struggles of our past, we are an inclusive Catholic educational community called to express our

mission as Church to pass on the Good News of Jesus Christ, to make it relevant in the world today, and to be the hope for the future.

We welcome submissions to the editor. Please contact the editor at the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board, 499 Pembroke Street West, Pembroke, Ontario K8A 5P1, phone: 613-735-1031, fax: 613-735-2649, or email: boardoffice@rccdsb.edu.on.caProduced by Pappin Communications • www.pappin.comNotebook