IFSS Students Honoured with 'Excellence in Education' Awards from OSSTF

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) Iroquois Falls Branch handed out its 'Excellence in Education' awards to graduating students at Iroquois Falls Secondary School. Recipients were chosen based on their academic attitude and excellence as well as extra curricular and community involvement. The students being honoured have not only participated in many activities but have excelled in them.

The 2008-2009 recipients include: Velvet Wilkins, Alex Monahan, Jodi Lariviere, Erika Lindgren, Erica Ogden, Jesse Alford and Ben Duguay.

• View Larger Photo from Ceremony
• Download the IFSS Excellence in Education Booklet

Tree Planting Memorial for David Duchesne

A tree planting memorial took place at Kapuskasing District High School for former District School Board Ontario North East Trustee David Duchesne. David was a trustee from 2003 to 2007, and previously the Director for the former Kapuskasing and District Board of Education. Staff, students and trustees gathered at Kapuskasing District High School where a tree was planted in memory of David Duchesne who passed away in February 2009.

View photos from tree planting memorial

Trustee Corinne Miller Dedication

Pinecrest Public School hosted a tree dedication ceremony in celebration of the life of Trustee Corinne Miller. Speakers at the ceremony included Mr. Saunders Porter, Chairman of the Board, Senator Isobel Finnerty (sister of Mrs. Miller), Mrs. Terry Martin (Mrs. Miller's daughter), Trustee Heather Bozzer, Mrs. Sharon Barkley, and Principal Joanna Brunski. All of the students in the school were involved in the ceremony. This dedication was a fitting tribute to a woman who gave so much to education and the students of District School Board Ontario North East.

• View photos from dedication ceremony
• June 25th Media Release
• Remarks from Principal Joanna Brunski

Remembering a Special Teacher at RRB

On Friday, March 13, 2009, Casie Moreau, a wonderful mother, wife, daughter and outstanding teacher, lost her battle with cancer. Mrs. Moreau taught at R. Ross Beattie Senior Public School for nine years. She was a dedicated compassionate teacher. Mrs. Moreau was very well liked and respected by both students and colleagues. We have been devastated by her passing. Mrs. Moreau was the beloved wife of Michael, loving mother of Kora-Ann, Hannah and step-mother of Caleb. Mrs. Moreau is survived by her parents Bob and Denise Watt and her brother Jason.

The R. Ross Beattie Science Fair is now called the Casie Moreau Science Fair and we have made a large plaque in her honour that will be handed out yearly at our school. The Board has also planted a tree at our school in Casie's honour.

The best quality of meeting Casie is everyone left better from that experience. We will all miss her, and she will always be an important part of our "Beattie Family!"

Derek Wheeler
Principal, R. Ross Beattie Senior Public School

View photos from tree planting ceremony

Aboriginal Students from Cochrane treated to Graduation Celebration

Aboriginal Students who are graduating from elementary and secondary schools in Cochrane were treated to a Graduation Celebration sponsored by Taykwa Tagamou First Nation and District School Board Ontario North East. The students and their families were treated to a dinner prepared and served by Lise Guppy and her helpers. This celebration took place at the Ininew Friendship Centre who graciously donated the facilities. Graduating students were presented with gifts from Taykwa Tagamou First Nation, District School Board Ontario North East and by O-GI Employment and Training.

View photos from graduation ceremony

EQAO Profiles TH&VS for Literacy Success

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has selected Timmins High & Vocational School as one of six publicly-funded high schools of the hundreds across Ontario to profile in the Provincial Report on the Results of the 2008-2009 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). The profiled schools are noted for their success at raising their students' literacy skills, as demonstrated by improved OSSLT scores over the years. In the report, staff members from Timmins High & Vocational School (TH&VS) discuss what the results of EQAO's testing and other data have taught them about their students, and the innovative approaches they are using to address their students' needs.

• Read the Media Release from June 10th
• Read EQAO's News Release from June 10th

Fundraiser for Federal Public School Student

Students at Federal Public School have been helping to raise awareness of Aplastic Anemia. Recently, Grade 4 student Taylor Coupland was diagnosed with this rare blood disorder which affects her immune system. Students have been participating in a poster contest to inform others of the condition and to help promote an upcoming benefit concert to assist Taylor's family. Taylor White's poster was selected as the winning poster to be used to promote the concert. For her winning poster entry, she was treated to free pizza compliments of Goldland Pizza.

Local bands will be performing at the fundraising concert set for June 15th at 7:00 pm at Northern College in Kirkland Lake. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. 90-percent of the proceeds will go into a trust account for Taylor, to furnish a new room with a sterile environment and to help cover the expenses and transportation costs for trips to Ottawa for treatments. Advance tickets are available at Temiskaming Furniture, Green Bird Florists/Rob's Hair Lounge, Guitar City, Pat's Variety, Goldland Billiards & Pizza and Carl's Office Pro.

View photos of winning poster presentation

Englehart Students Show Off Their Skills

Congratulations to Englehart High School! The school came away with two medals from the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, the largest skilled trades competition in Canada, held May 4-6, 2009 in Waterloo, Ontario. Dustin Sherrard took home a silver medal in Cabinet Making, while Tyler Allin won a bronze for Individual Carpentry. Principal Susi Johanson says, "...the fact that a school our size was so successful against much larger schools and boards is very impressive, and a testament to the great tech program we have at EHS." Jennifer Malinowski and Janet Porter also attended the competition in the 2D Computer Animation category.

View photos from competition

Englehart Public School receives boost for 'Playground Fund'

Englehart Public School Parent Council hosted a Spaghetti Dinner and Auction on Thursday, May 7, 2009 to raise money for new playground equipment. Members of the Charlton-Englehart Lions Club 'roared' on over to sample the dinner. What a ROAR they made by being the successful bidder of Parker's Infamous Bubble Gum Pie - purchasing it for $10,000.00! Staff, students and School Council can't thank the Lions Club enough for their most generous donation to the Playground Fund.

People in photo (L to R): Heather Howie, Charlton-Englehart Lions Club Member, Jeff Taylor, Chair of Englehart Public School Parent Council, Angela Parker, Principal of Englehart Public School, Bob Beaven, President of Charlton-Englehart Lions Club.

View larger photo of cheque presentation

Earth Week Photo Contest Winners

During Earth Week (April 20 to 24), District School Board Ontario North East held an Earth Day/Week Photo Contest open to all elementary students within the district. This is yet another new and successful initiative for our Board that is expected to be more wide-spread next year.

Thank you to all students who entered. Congratulations to our winners!

• Aurora Gemme (Kindergarten) - "Wildlife"
• Lily Anderson (Kindergarten) - "Friends"
• Sarah Wiseman (Grade 1) - "Scenery"
• Josh Porter (Grade 4) - "Friends"
• Casey Shields (Grade 6) - "Wildlife"
• Luisa Grottker (Grade 6) - "Scenery"
• Sonja Hettman (Grade 7) - "Wildlife"
• Holly Cloke (Grade 8) - "Friends"
• Holly Cloke (Grade 8) - "Scenery"

View the winning photo entries!

Timmins High is Getting Green

As a project for Earth Day, the DELTA class (Developing Environmental Leaders Through Action) at Timmins High & Vocational School produced a video "TH Trash" about how garbage and recycling are dealt with at the school to raise awareness.

This year's DELTA students have been quite concerned about the issues of garbage at the school, so they did some research into the school recycling program. They looked at the patterns of lunchtime garbage and surveyed various students and teachers. The purpose of the video was to send a message to both students and teachers.

Click here to view video

Having Fun with Recycled Art at TDSS

Grade 10 and 11 students at Timiskaming District Secondary School entered a contest called Festival des Folies Franco-Fun Recycled Art Contest. The criteria dictated that the students create artwork from recycled materials and junk that would normally end up in a landfill. They had to be waterproof, freestanding, and a certain size and weight. Works created by Karen Thivierge and Paige Lee (My Demons & My Angels), and Jordan Alexander (Pop can tab hummingbird) both made the finals! The artists receive 500-dollars for each project to go towards a class project/activity.

• My Demons and My Angels by Karen Thivierge & Paige Lee
  Materials used: recycled paper and fabric, glue cardboard, garbage bags
  This picture represents that every person in humanity holds their own balance of good or evil. Each person has their own demons and angels. It's about the choices people make.
• Striving For Balance by Jordan Alexander
  Materials used: pop can tabs, glue, pop can, steel bar
  This is a sculpture of a hummingbird made of metal pop can tabs. It symbolizes the relationship between nature and humans as we produce more waste. The waste eventually makes its way into the ecosystem. This requires a balance which keeps our waste and animals from affecting one another.

View the artists' creations!

Sincere Thanks to the Lions Club

Members of the Lions Club dropped into Charlton Savard Public School and presented Vice-Principal Lynn McNaughton with a cheque for two-thousand dollars. The money will be used to help support the school's nutrition program, and purchase outdoor equipment. Sincere thanks!

View Presentation Photo

Easter Bonnets On Parade at Coronation!

Staff, students and parents at Coronation Public School gathered in the gym for an annual "social event" - the "Easter Bonnet Parade"! Every student created a one-of-a-kind bonnet!

Take a look at some of their wonderful creations

Winter Olympics at New Liskeard Public School

Grade 4 and 5 students had the opportunity to participate in Winter Olympics at New Liskeard Public School. Teams participated in outside activities such as curling with rubber chickens, carrying eggs on a spoon, mini workout in the snow, and running activities.

View Photos from Winter Olympics

Students Learn About Climate Change in Arctic

It was the experience of a lifetime for grade 11 student Sarah Gaehwiler as Timiskaming District Secondary School was chosen as the Ontario representative for the Cape Farewell Youth Expedition 08 project. In September 2008, Gaehwiler, along with TDSS Science Department Head Doug Fraser, a contingent of scientists and artists, and close to 30 students from around the world, travelled to the Arctic to study the effects of climate change. Their story has been featured by media around the world, and a documentary about the trip is currently in the works.

• View Photos from Journey
• Trip presentation from Doug Fraser
• Audio clip from Doug Fraser
• Audio clip from Sarah Gaehwiler

I.F.S.S. Volleyball Team Wins NEOAA Championship

Congratulations to the Iroquois Falls Secondary School Senior Girls' Volleyball Team who won the recent NEOAA Championship. The team is now headed to the OFSAA Girls' "A" Volleyball Championships in Port Hope, Ontario on March 10th and 11th.

View Photos from Championship

Winter Sports Festival in Timmins

Hundreds of students from the City of Timmins, including students from W. Earle Miller Public School and Frank P. Krznaric Whitney Public School, participated in the Timmins Winter Sports Festival held on Friday, February 20th at Gillies Lake Conservation Area. Activities included boot hockey, soccer, speed skating and snow-sculpting, just to name a few. The festival has been running for a few years now, and despite the cold, students had a fun day!

View Photos from Festival