Director`s Newsletter

Director’s Newsletter
June 2016
Serving:
 Amethyst Demonstration
School
 Centre Jules-Léger
Provincial School and
Demonstration School
 Ernest C. Drury School
for the Deaf
 Robarts School for the
Deaf
 Sagonaska
Demonstration School
Volume 2
Message from the Executive Director
Hello Students, Parents, Guardians and Staff
It is hard to believe that the 2015-16 school year is almost over and that my
first year as Executive Director has almost concluded. It has been a complex
but successful year. I am proud of the achievements that our Provincial and
Demonstration school students have made.
As I enter my second year as Executive Director I assure you that I will
continue to serve the Provincial Schools Branch to the best of my ability. I am
passionate about serving the students in our schools and ensuring that
improved student achievement continues to be a top priority.
 Sir James Whitney
School for the Deaf
This year would have not been as successful as it was without the support of
a great team. We could not have completed this school year without the hard
 Trillium Demonstration
work of the Provincial Schools Branch staff. I extend my sincerest
School
appreciation to all academic and support staff at all campuses who have
worked diligently to meet the needs of the students to provide the best
 W. Ross Macdonald
School
learning environment possible and to support all of the business and campus
requirements. The dedication and enthusiasm of the staff truly impacts the
school and working environment and is truly valued. I would like to thank the
Table of Contents:
students for working to the best of their ability throughout the school year. I
Message from the Executive am confident that our students will continue to build upon the knowledge and
Director – June Rogers –
skills that were acquired this year as they move forward. I would also like to
pg. 1
thank parents/guardians for their support and assistance in, and dedication
Staffing Updates – pg. 2
to, their child’s education. Parents/guardians play such an important role in
11th Annual Deaf Children’s how children succeed in school and I encourage them to continue to work
with their children to promote the importance of a strong school education.
Festival – pg. 3
Education Week - pg. 4
Contact Us
Dr. June Rogers
Executive Director,
Provincial Schools Branch
(905) 878-2851 ext. 214
TTY: (905) 878-7195 ext.
214
[email protected]
I wish you all a safe and happy summer!
June Rogers
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Ginette Faubert
Superintendent, Provincial
Schools Branch
(519) 759-0730 ext. 210
(Brantford)
(613) 761-9300 (Ottawa)
[email protected]
Staffing Updates
Karyn Bruneel
I am pleased to announce that Karyn Bruneel will be joining the Provincial
Schools Branch for the 2016-2017 school year as Principal of Amethyst
Demonstration School. Karyn is currently a Principal within the London
Jeanne Leonard
Superintendent, Provincial
District Catholic School Board and has over 10 years of experience as a
Schools Branch
Principal. Karyn also has three years of experience as a Vice Principal and
(905) 878-2851 ext. 213
prior to that was a Teacher focusing on Core French, Music and early and
TTY: (905) 878-7195 ext.
middle French Immersion. She has a Bachelor of Education - Junior and
213
[email protected] Intermediate French as well as a Masters of Education in Leadership and
Policy Studies from Althouse College, University of Western Ontario. Karyn
has a strong interest in special education programming and special needs
Heather Gibson
Assistant to the
identification, play-based learning and Student Inquiry and has a background
Superintendents,
in music and drama. She is very passionate to learn about learning and to
Provincial Schools Branch
use that understanding to help students develop their skills to become
[email protected]
independent learners. I am confident that Karyn’s experience and knowledge
will serve her well as she takes on her new role with the Provincial Schools
Branch. Please join me in welcoming Karyn!
Irène Charette
I would like to take the opportunity to thank Irène Charette for her work as
acting Principal of Centre Jules-Léger (CJL). Irene also provided support as
acting Superintendent of CJL while Ginette Faubert was off on a temporary
leave of absence. Irène’s strong commitment and leadership is an asset to
the team and CJL.
Lynn Clark-Lee
Lynn Clark-Lee has accepted a Vice Principal position in the Halton District
School Board. I would like to extend my appreciation to Lynn for all of her
hard work and dedication as the Vice Principal of E.C. Drury School for the
Deaf, Elementary. Lynn has held many positions within the Provincial
Schools Branch and her experience and knowledge will be missed. We wish
Lynn all the best as she begins her new position.
Mark Finochio
Mark Finochio has accepted a new position with Grand Erie District School
Board as a Vice Principal at King George and Central Schools. Mark’s
experience as a Principal and previously Vice Principal of Resources
Services, PSB enabled him to provide great support and knowledge to his
team. He is a great asset and will be missed.
Heather Gibson
I would also like to thank Heather Gibson for her leadership as acting
Superintendent while Ginette Faubert was off on a temporary leave of
absence. As acting Superintendent, Heather provided oversight to the three
English demonstration schools and to W. Ross Macdonald School for the
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Blind. Heather demonstrated strong leadership and her background and
experience enabled her to effectively take on this responsibility.
Geoff Moore
I would also like to extend a thank you to Geoff Moore for the excellent work
that he has done as Principal of Amethyst Demonstration School. Geoff has
been a great addition to the team and his dedication to the school is
evidenced by the many accomplishments that he has achieved. Geoff will be
returning to St. Marguerite D ouville in the London District Catholic School
Board as Principal. Geoff will be missed and we wish him well in his future
endeavours.
Cheryl Zinszer and Sue Fowler
A big thank you to Cheryl Zinszer for organizing the Provincial Committee for
Learning Disabilities (PCLD) this year and to Sue Fowler for taking on the
role of PCLD Secretary. The committee worked well together to meet the tight
timelines and complete a thorough review.
11th Annual Deaf Children’s Festival – May 4 and 5,
2016
Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville hosted the 11th Annual
Deaf Children’s Festival on May 4 and 5, 2016. The theme was “Be Your
Own Super Hero”, which means to be the change you want to see in the
world, the time is now.
The Deaf Children’s Festival (DCF) is a biannual event that was first
launched in 1992 and has been a tradition within the Provincial Schools
Branch. The Festival celebrates the uniqueness of American Sign Language
(ASL), community, culture and pride. This event has allowed students,
including students attending other schools, staff, parents, visitors,
entertainers, and presenters to come together and participate in events that
celebrate the diverse talents of Deaf individuals in the Arts, Drama, ASL
storytelling, and ASL poetry. It has also provided students with the
opportunity to greet old friends and develop new friendships.
This year the event hosted approximately 200 attendees from across Ontario
including students, parents and staff from PSB’s Schools for the Deaf
including Centre Jules-Léger, E.C. Drury, Robarts, and Sir James Whitney.
A few highlights from the two-day event include SuperDeafy, a professional
Deaf Actor who stars in a movie titled “No Ordinary Hero,” a PSB Alumni
Deaf Chef, Deviant Art Gallery, and a variety of activities, events, and
information booths. It was a fantastic opportunity for all involved to reconnect and make new friends in the community.
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Thank you to all of the people who have helped organize this event. I know a
lot of time and hard work goes into making this festival the successful and
entertaining experience that it is.
Figure 1: A group picture of students, staff, parents and guardians who
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attended the 11 Annual Deaf Children’s Festival held on May 4 and 5,
2016.
Education Week
Education Week took place from May 2 to May 6, 2016 and the theme was
Public Education, Opening Doors, Offering Opportunities. PSB Schools
participated in Education Week by offering a number of learning opportunities
and running events for students and their parents/guardians.
Amethyst Demonstration School
During Education Week, current parents and families of Amethyst’s
program were invited to be a part of the school for the afternoon.
The event began with an open house where staff and students were
proud to invite parents, families and friends into the classrooms to
see what the students have been working on. Families had the
opportunity to complete a “Family Passport Scavenger Hunt” to
learn about various technologies and develop more familiarity with
the school. Families and friends were given “passports” which
enabled them to attend up to six different learning stations in the
school. Topics included:
 Getting to Know Google Read and Write
 Hands on with Chromebooks
 Behind the Curtain of Lexia Core 5 and Reading Plus
 iPad Boot Camp
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 WWI History
 AERO – The Amazing and Underused Free Resource
The event wrapped up with a performance from Amethyst students
in the Rock and Roll Club and a family BBQ.
Figure 2: Students and staff showing
parents/guardians how to use Google Docs
on Chromebooks.
Figure 3: Mrs. Grace and Mrs. French
shared their expertise on using Google
Read and Write.
Figure 4: Staff, students, family and friends were
treated to a concert by Amethyst’s Rock and Roll club.
Centre Jules-Léger (CJL)
As part of Education Week, Centre Jules-Léger Demonstration School hosted
an informative afternoon of career planning. CJL also had a teacher lead a
presentation on International French signers.
A few students from Centre Jules-Léger Provincial School participated in the
11th Annual Deaf Children’s Festival on May 4 and 5 hosted by Sir James
Whitney School for the Deaf. It was a great opportunity for the students to
connect with other students and participate in a range of fun activities.
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Figure 5 and 6: Students participating in a career planning
event.
Figure 7: Students watching a presentation on
International French signers.
E.C. Drury School for the Deaf
E.C. Drury Secondary School celebrated Education Week through several
school-wide collaborative events. Students and staff took part in small group
work to identify and celebrate their ‘sparks’ – that quality or interest which
makes them unique and special individuals. Students also selected from one
of three workshops offered to advance their learning around a preferred topic,
including filmmaking, hunting and fishing, and healthy living tips. Students
also saw another successful ‘ECD’s Amazing Race!’ event, in which they
paired up to complete a wide variety of learning tasks prepared by teachers,
in an effort to receive the most stamps in their ‘passport’.
E.C. Drury Elementary School celebrated Education Week with friends and
colleagues from our sister schools at this year’s Deaf Children’s
Festival. Many students took part in the two-day trip to Belleville to share in
the events and activities of DCF. Students “camped out” in the gymnasium,
participated in various workshops and presentations, and had a wonderful
time celebrating Deaf culture and friendship!
Figure 8: A group of students celebrating their
‘sparks’ - that quality or interest which makes
them unique and special individuals.
Figure 9: Students participating in the
Amazing Race event
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Milton residence students participated in a range of activities including hiking
at Hilton Falls, a trip to the Milton library, and working on their gardening skills
at the school gardens.
Figure 10: Students at Hilton Falls
Figure 11: A student watering the plants in the Milton garden
Robarts School for the Deaf
For Robarts students the focus of Education week was on the Deaf
Children’s Festival. Several parents/guardians joined students and teachers
on the trip to Belleville to participate in the festivities. One of the students
from Robarts won first place in the DCF contest for her exceptional drawing!
The students had the opportunity to meet John Maucere, aka “SuperDeafy”
and they were thrilled when he accepted their request to sit with them. The
school participants concluded that “Robarts is a winning place to be”!
Figure 13: A student with her first
place DCF drawing.
Figure 12: Students at the Deaf Children's Festival
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Figure 14: Students having breakfast with John
Maucere, aka SuperDeafy .
Sagonaska Demonstration School
Education Week at Sagonaska Demonstration School was jammed
full of awesome activities! Students participated in a decode-a-thon,
Mathletes, outdoor reading event, picnic and games day and even a
BANANA BONANZA!
Figure 15: Students participating in
the outdoor reading event.
Figure 16: Students participating in outdoor
games.
Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf
At Sir James Whitney School, in addition
to hosting the Deaf Children’s Festival,
there were a number of Education Week
activities. Secondary students
experienced post-secondary pathway
options in Toronto including culinary and
hospitality services at Signs Restaurant,
an exclusive American Sign Language
restaurant, as well as a tour of the
Toronto Film School. They also attended
the Skills Canada Trades Show in
Waterloo. Grades 7 and 8 students
attended a field trip to see the City of
Figure 17: Women’s World Floor Ball
Championships
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Belleville’s Water Distribution and
Treatment Centre. Elementary students
had the opportunity to attend the U-19
Woman’s World Floor Ball
Championships to cheer on team
Canada where they competed in the
event opener against Japan. The
Kindergarten class participated in the
David Suzuki Foundation 30x30
Challenge. This exciting initiative offers
staff and students the tools and
resources to engage students in falling
back in love with nature through
exploration and learning.
Figure 18: Students and parents/
guardians on SJW campus
Trillium Demonstration School
Students at Trillium Demonstration School participated in a community book
launch for author and photographer Laurie Goodman’s “Enterprising
Hearts.” The students moved the audience with their stories of having
dyslexia and learning disabilities. The students shared their positive Life
Messages that show perseverance and grit. Students also had the
opportunity to visit Woodland Cultural Centre, Six Nations Reserve in
Brantford. They toured one of the last standing residential schools and
listened to an Elder share her story. Elder Karen reminded the students to
always show kindness and compassion to each other.
Figure 19: Emma, a student at Trillium
embracing a residential school survivor while
visiting Woodland Cultural Centre, Six
Nations Reserve in Brantford.
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Figure 20: Students participating in a community book launch for author and photographer
Laurie Goodman’s “Enterprising Hearts.”
W. Ross Macdonald School (WRMS)
At W. Ross Macdonald School the focus for Education Week was
on exploring how classroom activities support the Expanded Core
Curriculum goals. For WRMS students, experiential learning is
where it is at. All staff incorporated experiential learning during this
week and it was a big success!
Figure 22: WRMS students dissecting a frog.
Figure 21: Picture of a Hall of
Fame for Leaders and Legends on
the Blindness Field plaque
featuring Phil Hatlen.
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