|
In other news:
* Trustees were told that a Safe Schools
Information Guide for Parents has been created
for distribution to all families in the district
to highlight the changes to the Education Act
and the resulting changes to board policies. The
guide emphasizes our collective responsibility
to create safe, caring, inclusive
Christ-centered school communities and offers
suggestions as to how parents can help.
* The Board heard a report on Special Education
from the Program Department. The Program
Department and our schools provide a continuum
of educational programs and support services to
ensure the inclusion of all students in reaching
their full learning potential through respectful
collaboration within a faith-centered community.
This report focuses on accountability and
measurable achievement.
* Trustees have approved a
new policy, which updates the role of Catholic
School Councils and the District Council.
The policy outlines the mandate and
responsibilities of councils.
* The Rosary Apostolate in the schools is
continuing to grow. It is an apostolate of
prayer that serves students of the London
District Catholic School Board. 24 elementary
schools are now involved, with more than five
thousand students.
* The Trustees were updated on a London District
Catholic School Council initiative on Saturday,
May 10th, called “Vive la Fe”. The venue is
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School,
from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It will be a
celebration of the Spanish culture and Spanish
families within the LDCSB who are new to our
system.
|
|
LDCSB staff are taking part in a
day of professional learning today, with the aim
of "growing in our understanding of God’s
love and to enhance our skills as professional
educators." The focus embraces
professional learning that is rooted in
empirical, high yield teaching strategies that
support an inclusionary model of Catholic
education. (Above)
Workshops include Fr. James
Mulligan and the topic 'Challenges to Catholic
Education: Reflections on the Paradigm Shift
Affecting Catholic Education in
Ontario.' Fr. Mulligan challenged
the participants to take a hard look at a new
reality facing Catholic education in Ontario -
the challenges, the arguments, the players in
what he calls a new paradigm shift, and the
urgency we face to ensure its future.
Dr. Bruce Ferguson spoke on
"Relationships, Relationships,
Relationships : Engaging Students and Making
Them Successful" Dr. Ferguson used
the findings of the Early School Leavers Study
as a starting point to discuss creating schools
that are understanding, flexible, and proactive.
He talked about the stress and difficulty for
students of the transition from elementary to
secondary school with a focus on the importance
of engagement, relationships, character and
commitment in contributing to the success of our
students, particularly those who are struggling
or at risk.
|
Susan Coleman of Human Resources was the big
winner when a draw was held this week for a
hand-made quilt. The money will go to help
support forty students from Catholic Central
High School and John Paul ll Catholic Secondary
School left yesterday morning for Ocean Springs,
Mississippi next week. They will be helping to
rebuild some houses that were damaged by
Hurricane Katrina. Tens of thousands of homes
were flooded or destroyed. Experts predict
rebuilding will continue to take another eight
to ten years.
Carolyn Everest, a secretary in our
elementary school system, generously donated the
quilt that represents the colours and
brightness of New Orleans. (Right) The
quilt is interwoven with vibrant squares of
colour and a colourful border with stars.
Watch for reports from
London Free Press reporter Jennifer O'Brien,
who is travelling with the students and will be
filing from Mississippi.
|
is produced weekly by the 
