The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board offers extended learning programs to continue learning outside of the regular school day and to ensure that learning recovery programs are provided to students to improve student achievement. In multiple delivery models, programs were offered in 2021–2022 to support the continued development of academic and transferable skills, close achievement gaps, reduce summer learning loss, and prepare students for the 2022–2023 school year.
Fall/Winter Programming
Night School Cooperative Education
Students who were given the opportunity to participate in Night School Cooperative Education were those students attending Beaver Brae Secondary School, Dryden High School, and Sioux North High School with low credit accumulation, who may have been disengaged, or who may have required co-op for specific programs, such as Specialist High Skills Major. Cooperative Education allows students to participate in learning experiences that help them gain valuable work experience to help build a resume, prepare for the next stage of their lives (whether in apprenticeship training, college, community living, university, or the workplace), and understand employer and workplace expectations. 177 credits were achieved by 104 students through Night School Cooperative Education.
Spring Programming
Spring Reach Ahead for Grade 8 Students
For the second year in a row, KPDSB offered a central, blended synchronous and asynchronous, virtual Reach Ahead opportunity for all grade 8 students to support the transition to secondary school. Students from the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education were also invited to participate. The program was delivered by five KPDSB educators, and 92 students achieved their first secondary credit, Exploring Family Studies (HIF1O), while completing their grade 8 year. Both virtual and in-person tutoring were provided through the Rapid Response Northern School Team to support student success.
Summer Elementary Programming
Grade 6 Sports and Leadership Camp
Grade 6 Students were invited to participate in the KPDSB Grade 6 Leadership Camp, which was hosted in their respective local KPDSB High Schools in Kenora and Dryden. The camp examined various topics through the lens of healthy living, including participating in multi-sport sessions, exploring leadership qualities, preparing healthy foods, and discussions of planning for intramurals and tournaments. Students also explored their soon-to-be secondary schools and toured some programs offered to KP secondary students. Dryden and Kenora camps were led by qualified teachers and Indigenous student leaders from the Dryden High and Beaver Brae Secondary School 4D programs. The Beaver Brae program in Kenora and Dryden High School had 45 and 29 student participants, respectively.
Elementary CODE Summer Learning Programs
Five Elementary Summer Learning programs were run this year, with CODE funding four of those programs and KPDSB funding the fifth. Programs were run in four communities — two in Kenora, one in Dryden, one in Sioux Lookout, and one in Red Lake. Each program had full registration with 15–20 students. This year’s focus was on literacy, providing students with opportunities to participate in programming to develop their foundational literacy skills. Students also had numerous opportunities to build their skills in other areas, such as numeracy, physical education, science, and the social-emotional domain. Each program was led by a teacher and assisted by a post-secondary summer student. All the staff were trained in and supported with the delivery of instruction and evidence-based programming to greatly impact the students’ literacy development. Once again, daily nutrition was available for all students, and families had access to transportation.
Summer Secondary Programming
Stability Project
The Stability Project continued programming from 2021 to 2022 and expanded into a second KPDSB community. This project is a partnership between KPDSB, Kenora–Rainy River Children Services, and the Ministry of Child and Youth Services. The program is designed to support students who have been in care. It is an opportunity for students to participate in a paid cooperative education program, work with community partners, and develop personal skills and employability skills.
In Kenora, the Summer Garden Project built off last year’s success, with eight students completing the program this year. Students constructed, assembled, and maintained two garden locations and supported Women’s Place Kenora in their Garden Path program. Students completed micro-certifications to gain valuable personal and employability skills. Students also participated in an opening ceremony of the program with Elders and visited several local organizations that support youth over the summer.
The Stability program expanded in 2022 to include Red Lake High School students. Two students participated and completed cooperative education credits in the child care and hairstylist fields. Students were supported by the co-op teacher and 4D grad coach throughout the summer.
Both stability programs provided opportunities for students that were more than just measured in credits but will also have long-lasting effects as they move towards meaningful employment after high school.
Transition to Secondary Programs (Summer Reach Ahead for Grade 8 Students)
In-person Reach Ahead programs were offered in the first three weeks of the summer break at Dryden High School, Beaver Brae Secondary School, and Sioux North High School. Sixty students achieved their first secondary credit at this time. Similar to the online Reach Ahead program offered in the spring, these programs can help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety associated with transitioning to secondary school.
Beaver Brae hosted a Grade 8 Reach Ahead focused on land-based learning. Nine students participated in this program. All benefited greatly from the program — from transition opportunities to building relationships with 4D staff and high school teachers and connecting with important community partners and Elders. Students explored identity, cultural activities, and land-based education in a good way. Community partners, such as Kenora Chiefs Advisory, Ne-Chee, Kenora Youth Hub, and Seven Generations Education Institute, were integral to providing opportunities for students.
Other Credit Courses
One central section of virtual Career Studies (GLC2O) and one central section of virtual Civics and Citizenship (CHV2O) were offered in July. Any KPDSB secondary student who had not yet achieved these compulsory courses was able to register for this asynchronous program, which would also support them in meeting the new Ministry of Education eLearning requirement. In addition, one in-person section of the Native Studies course, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Canada, was delivered at Dryden High School. In total, 26.5 additional credits were achieved in these courses.
Summer Cooperative Education
Some secondary students from Beaver Brae Secondary School, Crolancia Secondary School, Dryden High School, Red Lake District High School, and Sioux North High School had the opportunity to participate in Summer Co-operative Education. This partnership between the student, school, student summer employer, and summer co-op teacher integrates academic study with practical work experience. Students who had the opportunity to participate in Summer Co-op were those with low credit accumulation, who may be disengaged, or who may require co-op for a specific program such as Specialist High Skills Major. In Summer Co-operative Education, 304 credits were achieved by 164 students.
Credit Recovery
Through credit recovery, a student is offered an opportunity to meet the expectations of a course they have completed but for which they had received a failing grade. Dryden High School, Red Lake District High School, and Sioux North High School accessed tutoring funds that the Ministry of Education provided in the 2021–2022 school year to support students in recovering credits, in-person and virtually, in July. Sioux North High School offered two credit recovery programs, one at the high school and one in-person program at Lac Seul First Nation. Red Lake District High School offered support in both Red Lake and Ear Falls. In total, 37 KPDSB credits were recovered in July.
Additional Supports for Students in Extended Learning Programs
In addition to the support provided by tutors, education assistants, and Four Directions staff, student mental health services were offered for July and August. Two student counsellors were available to provide virtual and phone services to students who reached out for support.
The KPDSB extended learning programs support students in building knowledge and skills, building relationships with staff, developing new friendships, developing confidence, and preparing for the upcoming learning period. These programs and associated supports continue to contribute to our students’ success as they work toward graduation and many post-secondary opportunities.
