Director's Annual Report 2024
Our mission is to inspire our students to Excel in Learning, Succeed in Life and Enrich our Communities.
Rita Russo
Director of Education
Jaine Klassen Jeninga
Chairperson
I am so grateful for the continued opportunity to lead such an inspiring and committed team in service of students, as Director of Education at KPR!
The passion and commitment that our students and staff bring to our schools and workplaces is truly inspiring and energizing. Together with families and community partners, dreams are becoming reality every day. Our students’ voices are at the heart of everything we do, and their perspectives drive our mission forward. We are committed to creating an environment where every student knows they belong and are valued.
With our Annual Report for 2024, we take pride in sharing our journey over the past year and celebrating all that makes KPR such a special place. Our staff continue to lead our way, and with the help of families, countless volunteers, and community partners, we are heartened by their tireless care and compassion for our students. To our staff, please know that your dedication and hard work have made a profound impact on each student’s educational journey.
With this report, we celebrate and reflect on the past year in our life as the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are proud to say that we play a part in the education of our youth, and, as a result, in the continued success of our communities, province and country.
Our commitments to good governance, public accountability, and advocacy guide us as we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges within the provincial landscape of public education.
Through our 2024 Annual Report, we are providing those we serve with highlights of some of the wonderful efforts and accomplishments of our students, staff, and district.
Together with parents and caregivers – who are our most important partners – as well as countless volunteers and community stakeholders on whom we rely, we value every opportunity to recognize and celebrate KPR students and staff.
"I love creating opportunities for students to engage in rewarding career-building experiences and to test out career pathways while in high school"
Leading the Way in Student Success
Erin MacKenzie and Danielle Moher are two exceptional KPR employees who open doors to new and exciting opportunities for students every day! Whether coordinating information sessions for students and families, recruiting employers to participate in KPR’s co-op program, or working with partners to bring innovative, skill-building opportunities to students across KPR, these two are leading the way!
Bringing enthusiasm and ambition to their roles with the Student Success team, both Erin and Danielle have made a meaningful impact in the lives of students in many ways. While Erin and Danielle work closely together on most initiatives, they each have key areas of focus in their positions. Erin is an Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) Recruiter, promoting skilled trades and apprenticeship pathways, as well as a consultant for KPR’s Co-operative Education Program, supporting co-op educators and students to ensure safe and successful experiential learning opportunities.
Danielle’s main areas of focus are the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program and the School College Work Initiative, where she supports students in career exploration, gaining workplace experience, and obtaining credentials to set them up for a successful future.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Excel in Learning - Math
Students at C.R. Gummow PS have been engaging in rich math conversations to better understand challenging math vocabulary. For example, talking together about the word “congruent” helps students understand how it’s used to describe geometric shapes.
At Ganaraska Trail PS, Grade 3 educators have been working collaboratively with a mathematics coach to explore the Math Achievement Action Plan focus of powerful tools and representations. These representations include tools like number lines and 3D solids, as shown in the photo, to support problem solving.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Excel in Learning - Literacy
Collaborating to Support Primary Reading - In KPR, we are committed to establishing a strong foundation for student achievement in literacy, using evidence-based instruction, ongoing assessment and differentiated supports.
All KPR elementary schools are supported by either KPR Early Intervention Teachers (EIT), a literacy coach or literacy consultant. Through tiered instruction and intervention, all students receive the support they need to achieve success in reading.
Morphology in Junior Literacy -KPR classrooms are filled with evidence-based instructional practices, to support student success in literacy. One example of this is the use of morphology instruction to support intentional learning in literacy in Grade 4-6 classrooms as outlined in the 2023 Language Curriculum.
Morphology is the study of word parts, such as base words, roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Fire Prevention at Ganaraska Trail
As part of Fire Prevention Week, Ganaraska Trail Public School welcomed special guests from the Port Hope Fire Department to learn all about fire safety and prevention! Students were enthusiastic and ready to jump right in and participate!
Read more in the full Annual Report
Roger Neilson PS Students on the Ice
Roger Neilson PS students enthusiastically participated in the grand opening of the Miskin Law Community Complex this January. New and experienced skaters alike joined a large group of community members to enjoy the arena’s first free skate, as part of the opening celebration.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Excel in Learning - Apprenticeship Pathways
In the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, we support student success in differentiated and diverse learning pathways that are responsive to the unique strengths, skills and needs of all students.
As part of this commitment, KPR families were invited to information sessions this fall to learn more about apprenticeship pathways to skilled trades in Ontario.
The events for families with students in Grades 7-12 took place in each region of the board throughout the month of November. Each event featured learning about the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, skilled trades in Ontario, and testimonials from KPR youth in the apprenticeship pathway and adult apprentices and journey people.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Entrepreneurship in Action
Entrepreneurship is alive and well at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School. During first semester, two Junior Achievement company programs were running within the same class. “Crafted Coasters” are making real wooden coasters, which are cut, sanded, sealed and varnished. A decorative symbol is then burned into each.
The company “Warm Ups” has created a set of reusable hand warmers. They selected festive fabric, which is machine sewn on three sides, filled with rice, then hand stitched on the fourth side. Rope ties are also sewn into the product, so several units can be linked to provide relief to the neck. The warmers can be heated in the microwave.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Drones Bring Students Together
In the spring of 2024, Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute launched an extracurricular Drone Technologies opportunity which has piqued student interest and complements Adam Scott’s computer and robotic technologies programs.
Led by teacher Jason Card and assisted by Mathew Ansara, a diverse group of students have come together to gain valuable skills and experience hands-on learning that can support careers in fields such as robotics, aerospace, logistics, videography, environmental monitoring, and surveying. Students meet once per week after school. There is also a daily lunchtime option for students who want to practise on the simulators.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Junior Achievement Award Winners
Neo Purdue and Jackson George received certificates of recognition this year from the Peterborough Homebuilders Association for participation in the Build and Soar program, and for demonstrating strong initiative, work ethic and character.
Neo is a Grade 12 student at Thomas A. Stewart SS and worked with Habitat for Humanity on their new build of a multi-unit complex over the summer. Neo is also an Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program student going into the field of construction.
Jackson is a Grade 12 student at Crestwood SS, hoping to pursue a career as an electrician, who was employed by Voltage Tech during the summer.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Students Build and Soar to Success
Chairperson of the Board Jaine Klassen Jeninga and Trustee Rose Kitney joined provincial, municipal and community partners to celebrate the announcement of a new program - Build & Soar, aimed at connecting students with local construction, aerospace, and aviation employers.
Grade 11 and 12 Specialist High Skills Majors students in the areas of Construction and Aerospace & Aviation were matched with local businesses for paid eight-week placements this past summer.
In the aerospace and aviation sector, job opportunities include airport administration, aircraft component manufacturing, electronics, aviation development, aircraft maintenance, repair, and piloting.
Read more in the full Annual Report
KPR Staff are World-class Leaders in Education!
At its annual general meeting this year, OPSBA recognized KPR staff members Derek Doucet (Lakefield District PS) and Andrew Gibson and Jennifer Robertson (Roger Neilson PS) with Achievement Awards.
These awards recognize volunteers for outstanding, exemplary, and/or unique contributions to the overall well-being of the school or community through in-school, board-wide, extra-curricular and/or volunteer activity.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Celebrating Learning in Indigenous Education
Integrating Truth and Reconciliation
As we work to honour Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing through engagement in Truth and Reconciliation, and elevating First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures, perspectives and histories, the KPR Indigenous Education department created the LookBook to celebrate learning happening across the system.
The LookBook is a collection of artifacts that allows a peek into some of the learning engagements of staff and students over the course of the school year. Learning is action in Truth and Reconciliation. Among the many schools and departments recognized and celebrated is Dr. Ross Tilley Public School and Bowmanville High School, both in Bowmanville.
Lakefield District Public School (LDPS) engaged in the passport this year by participating in reflection and honouring the memory of children who attended a residential school. Students decorated tiles that were arranged in an artistic display to resemble the “Project of Heart”.
This school-wide initiative was led by Maria Tourloukis, Grade 6/7 Teacher and Indigenous Education Instructional Coach.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Virtual Kindergarten Series for Families
Starting Kindergarten is a big step for families, filled with excitement and other big emotions. Last spring, KPR’s Kindergarten team hosted a series of free, virtual sessions focused on important information about starting Kindergarten at the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
The information sessions featured school principals, KPR’s Mental Health team, literacy and numeracy staff. KPR’s website has recordings of all four events:
- Getting Ready for Kindergarten,
- Promoting Early Literacy at Home,
- Promoting Early Mathematics at Home, and
- Transitions to Kindergarten: Supporting Big Emotions
KPR Summer Symposium
Over 250 KPR educational staff attended KPR’s Summer Symposium of professional learning this August. Teachers, early childhood educators, educational assistants and child and youth workers were invited to participate in one or more of the four days of intentional learning.
These sessions (Mental Health Strategies Made Easy, Reading for All, The Path to Early Success and A Fresh Look at Math) support several Board’s Action Plan strategic goals, including to provide evidence-based instruction in literacy and math - and differentiated and intensive supports for student success.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Succeed in Life - Climate Action at KPR
Climate Education in Action at Millbrook/South Cavan PS - A Kindergarten teacher at Millbrook/South Cavan Public School is making national headlines for her leadership in climate education and environmental sustainability. Following her participation in an online climate education course last spring, Wilma Armstrong was inspired to carry this learning forward and share some of the unique ideas with her own school community.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Partnering for Sustainability: Small Trees, Big Impact! - This year, Keith Wightman Public School and Thomas A. Stewart (TAS) Secondary School partnered with GreenUP to engage in hands-on environmental learning and transform their school properties! Thanks to KPR’s continued partnership with GreenUP, and funding from the Green Communities Canada’s Living Cities Fund, over 300 students and staff from Keith Wightman PS and TAS had the opportunity to participate in unique green infrastructure projects and bring new outdoor learning spaces to life.
Planting for the Future - Staff at the Education Centre in Peterborough also joined in on the tree planting action – planting approximately 160 Norway Spruce and White Spruce trees on a sunny day in October! Just over 20 staff members from Business and Corporate Services and the Corporate Affairs Department came together to take part in this team building activity with the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Walking into Wellness at the Laurie Lawson OEC
For many years, the Laurie Lawson Outdoor Education Centre (OEC) has been a cornerstone of hands-on learning for KPR students. Through a successful partnership, the building is provided by the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, and the property is owned by the Northumberland Land Trust.
KPR’s Board Action Plan identifies our commitment to strengthen environmental consciousness and explore strategies to reduce negative ecological impacts – outdoor education is an important component of that.
Having the opportunity to visit this inspiring outdoor classroom, allows students in Kindergarten – Grade 12 to engage in a variety of activities designed to foster a deep connection to the environment and teach the importance of sustainability.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Worry Busters and #GoodCoping
As part of KPR’s commitment to mental health, we continue to explore new and creative strategies to improve student well-being. An initiative led by KPR’s team of Mental Health Clinicians, focused on supporting students in understanding and managing their anxiety, has made a significant impact for many students this year.
In March, “Worry Busters” and “#GoodCoping” were first introduced as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy groups available for students in participating elementary, intermediate and secondary schools across the district. Sessions were delivered to multiple schools over several months, with participation from over 350 students!
One of the many benefits of this work, is that it has enabled students to work together with their classmates to develop and practice coping skills in a safe environment through supportive exposure opportunities.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Multilingual Learning Partnerships Benefit Students and Communities
In KPR, we believe in the importance of developing and maintaining innovative partnerships, to strengthen outreach and engagement, amplify diverse voices, and support student success.
KPR’s Multilingual Language Learner team (MLL) works closely and collaboratively with community partners, such as the New Canadians Centre (NCC), to support students with English learning and multiple language needs.
Here are some of the amazing things the NCC has been doing in KPR schools this year:
- Weekly visits to Cobourg Collegiate Institute, Adam Scott CVI, Thomas A. Stewart SS, and Crestwood SS for conversations and counselling
- Helping students find jobs and prepare resumes
- Providing translation support at parent meetings, and
- Providing students with volunteer opportunities in the community.
Additional activities for newcomer students and families have included:
- Bowling and pizza events for newcomer teens in Northumberland and Peterborough
- A customer service training workshop for newcomer students on a PA Day at the Cobourg Community Centre, and
- Helping with ‘Welcome to KPR’ presentations at the start of the school year for MLL families.
- Customer service training workshops for newcomer students in Clarington, in partnership with the Community Development Council Durham.
Expanding Opportunities for Students
The Learning Life Skills (LLS) classes at CCI were very busy during the first semester of the 2024-25 school year. Through partnerships with other classes and schools, unique field trip opportunities, weekly visits from Therapy Dogs, mentoring opportunities and an overall focus on integration, students continue to have many meaningful opportunities to thrive within the school and broader community!
“We have an exciting new collaboration project between LLS students and Mr. Barlow’s Grade 3 class at Burnham Public School,” shares Suzanne Kerr, CCI educator.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Accessibility Training for Everyone
Through its Accessibility 101 online learning module, KPR is positively fostering compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The training was created by the Commissioner’s Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility (COHREA) to ensure that staff are provided with KPR-specific training on general accessibility, information about attending the needs of persons with disabilities, and baseline knowledge of Accessibility Standards. This new resource is in addition to the standard accessibility learning and training completed by all new employees with the Board.
System learning is identified in COHREA’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP), as part of overarching strategies to identify, remove and prevent barriers that students, staff, and other members of the KPR community may experience while learning, working and interacting within our educational culture.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Arts are Alive at KPR
Opportunities to participate in the arts continue to be important aspects of the educational experience at all KPR schools – students can communicate, create and collaborate in so many different ways!
On November 23, 2024, Port Hope HS welcomed over 60 local vendors and small businesses, 40 student volunteers, five community sponsors and 1,000 people for their annual Arts and Crafts Fair. It was the school’s biggest event yet and a huge success! The funds raised from the event will be used to help provide a range of opportunities for Port Hope HS students, in addition to supporting the school’s drama production, arts program, and athletics program.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Athletics
KPR students had another successful year in athletics, with students enjoying recreational and competitive opportunities to be active and have fun!
Read more in the full Annual Report
If You Listen… We Will Thrive
The Student Voice Project, one of the Director of Education’s Priorities, served a platform for amplifying student voices in educational decision making.
During the 2023-2024 school year, over 180 high school students from all secondary schools and alternative education sites participated in focus groups facilitated by Elder Melody Crowe and Director of Education Rita Russo. The project captured students’ perspectives on their day-to-day experiences at school and the feedback was summarized in a booklet for all secondary schools.
Building on this work, in August, a panel of students from Adam Scott CVI, Kenner CVI, East Northumberland SS and Courtice SS shared their voices with school administrators and department leaders. Students spoke openly about both the positive aspects of school and the challenges. They offered many insights into how educators, leaders and school staff can make school experiences better for current and future KPR students.
The following themes emerged frequently during the Student Voice Project:
- Caring, Welcoming Spaces
- Co and Extra-Curriculars
- Course Availability
- Discrimination and Racism
- Safety and Access to Bathrooms
- Support for Students
- Benefits of Alternative Education
Cultivating Kindness
Culture of Kindness at Beatrice Strong PS - Beatrice Strong Public School has been fostering a culture of kindness and well-being, with the help of student voice!
Throughout the year, students can earn Gotcha Tickets every time they are caught in the act of being kind to others; for example, holding a door open, giving a compliment, helping others, or inviting a peer to play in a game. The Student Wellness Committee draws five tickets out of the Kindness Box every Friday, announces the winners, and helps them select prizes out of the Treasure Box!
Courtice SS Spreading Kindness to the Community! - In the spirit of giving, the students and staff at Courtice Secondary School generously donated 15 “Love Boxes” filled with toys, books, personal hygiene items, clothing and more to local hospitals in support of families in the community with a child battling cancer.
Positive School Climate Team Brings Mindfulness to Newcastle PS - At Newcastle PS, the Positive School Climate Team is helping to improve school climate by bringing mindfulness to the forefront! Connected to the Board Action Plan, the team is focusing their efforts on creating meaningful relationships through identity-affirming mental health and well-being centered practices.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Enrich Our Communities
Fifteen Years of Partnership at Otonabee Valley PS - Students, staff and families at Otonabee Valley Public School (OVPS) have been welcoming the community into their school for many years and they are fortunate to have a consistent group of volunteers who enjoy supporting the school.
Just over 15 years ago, local organizations asked how they, as community members, could help the school, and the positive contributions began. Over the years, volunteers have offered their time reading to students, volunteering in the nutrition program, and providing after-school support, like cooking classes and child minding, shared Holly Raymond, volunteer, and Associate Pastor of the Free Methodist Church.
KPR Schools Enriching Communities! - Throughout 2024, KPR schools were used for over 75,000 hours by more than 240 organizations and groups, through the Community Use of Schools program! From youth and adult sports to musical and theatre performances, job and volunteer fairs, community markets and vendor shows, guides and scouts, cadets, drumlines, fitness classes, fundraisers, workshops, and more, KPR schools help the community access affordable spaces on evenings and weekends and connect with a variety of activities and services.
The Community Use of Schools program supports the Board’s strategic priority, to strengthen outreach and engagement with communities.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Promoting Parent Engagement
As part of KPR’s commitment to parent engagement, we connected with over 900 parents, caregivers, and community partners through two key events this fall: the Engaging in Your Child’s Educational Journey webinar and KPR’s 23rd Annual Parent Conference.
This year’s parent conference featured keynote speaker Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, who shared research-based strategies and practical tips on the theme Everyday Resiliency: Strong Kids and Well Families. Participants shared that they appreciated the authentic and relatable speaker, and the relevance and applicability of the content to their daily lives.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Inclusivity through Arts, Creativity and Community
At the end of May, Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute hosted Create Pride, a free, full-day event with community partners to promote inclusivity through arts, creativity and community for 2SLGBTIQ+ students and allies.
The day featured poet laureate Ziysah Von Bieberstein, musician Ale Suarez, a Fractured Fairy Tales presentation with Derek Newman-Stille, the Kenner Choir, a Community Market and Betty Baker.
Staff organizers Erin Clancy, Kenner CVI, and Lynn Pineau, Crestwood SS, said 75 students attended this very positive and inspiring event.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Enrich Our Communities
Building for the Future in Northglen - We were very pleased to be joined by provincial and municipal education partners for a sod turning in June to officially launch the construction phase of a new school in the Northglen neighbourhood in Bowmanville.
This new, modern, fully accessible elementary school is made possible through the funding of over $36 million dollars and will have space for 769 students, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8, as well as a four-room childcare centre and before/after-school programming.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Murray Centennial PS Addition - Through the support of provincial partners, we’re also very pleased this year to be building a $7.6 million dollar addition at Murray Centennial Public School in Trenton. The over 22,000 square foot addition includes three new Kindergarten classrooms, four regular classrooms, staff and student collaborative spaces, and a new septic system, among other enhancements.
New Smithfield PS Playground - Among the many capital projects and enhancements to our schools, in November we were also pleased to be joined by municipal partners and school council fundraising leaders to officially open a new play area at Smithfield Public School.
Made possible only through $85K in funding support from the Municipality of Brighton, and extensive local fundraising efforts, the new playground includes a buddy bench to help students connect in
times of need, and two new two play structures for students and the community to enjoy during and after the school day, for years to come.
Read more in the full Annual Report
Contact Us
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
1994 Fisher Drive
Peterborough, ON K9J 6X6
Phone: 705-742-9773
Toll Free: 1-877-741-4577
Fax: 705-742-7801
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