It is the last day of school in the Rainy River District.
For the Rainy River District School Board, the year marked a return to normalcy, especially between April and June.
Education Director Heather Campbell says they started the year with some uncertainty.
“(At the) beginning of the school year, there was still that uncertainty of where we were going to go. I have to commend staff, students and families for their resiliency as we navigated, sometimes through COVID this past fall and winter. Certainly, we’ve accomplished a great deal over the year despite having to work within a pandemic. The chance to resume some more normal activities, whether their graduations or proms, athletic competitions or musicals, has been a wonderful thing to see,” says Campbell.
Campbell says the ability to open their schools and hold events in the final few months gave a sense of a better future ahead for students.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Campbell says the board accomplished alot.
Trustees approved a new strategic plan earlier this year to guide the board over the next five years.
There were also capital projects hitting milestones.
“We’re on track with our K-12 in Atikokan which is now called Northern Lakes K-12 school. We received funding for the Nestor Falls K-8 school. That’s a modular build, and (we’re) really excited to hear about that. We’re also proceeding to the next stage for our K-12.Rainy River. So those types of big announcements, which offer enhanced learning environments for our students, are really exciting.”
In the classroom, Campbell says they’ve been working hard to better students literacy and numeracy.
Another specialist high school major in arts and culture is to be added to Fort Frances High School.
Technology programs have also been vibrant, with students pursuing opportunities for cooperative education and apprenticeships.
“I really commend staff. It’s been challenging as we’ve had increased absences with students over the year. Trying to ensure that every child has that support and is moving forward with their learning is a priority for all staff. I really want to commend them for that work this year.”
