Division News

Division News

Year-end Message from Superintendent of Schools/CEO

Posted on June 27

Tansi, Edlanat’e, Hello everyone,

As we close out the 2023-2024 school year, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to parents, guardians, community members, and education partners. Your support and collaboration have been instrumental in helping Northland students succeed. Your dedication and involvement, whether through school council or principal's advisory committee, attending school events, or providing support at home, have made a tremendous difference in the lives of students.

While this year has brought its own set of challenges, we have much to celebrate as a school division. Your commitment and efforts have contributed to these achievements:

Accomplishments in 2023-2024:

  • We celebrated 66 graduates in Anzac, Calling Lake, Conklin, Wabasca-Desmarais, and Paddle Prairie. Paddle Prairie School celebrated seven graduates, the most ever in one year since the school opened. In Wabasca-Desmarais, we celebrated 44 graduates, with 29 at Mistassiniy School and 15 from Career Pathways School.
  • The new Mistassiniy School is open, and we are hosting a grand opening on September 27th.
  • We hosted engagements with students, parents, guardians, community members, and staff in all Northland school communities.
  • We unveiled a new three-year education plan. The priorities within the plan are a direct response to what the Board and Administration heard from communities.

New things to look forward to next year:

  • Northland Online School will now be offering grade 12, and we are excited to celebrate our first graduating class.
  • We will be implementing the Collaborative Response Model from Jigsaw Learning, a structured framework that enhances student success through regular collaborative team meetings involving teachers, support staff, and administrators, data-informed decision making, and targeted interventions.
  • We are introducing a Common Timetable for elementary and high school, allowing us to provide more learning options for all Northland students.
  • In response to challenges raised during community engagements, we:
    • Hired Leanne Schram as a Learning Coach for Physical Literacy and Athletics to improve physical education programming and provide more opportunities for students to play team sports.
    • Will be announcing a new Indigenous Cultural Land-Based Learning Coach to support schools and work with Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
    • Are hiring 30 additional Educational Assistants division-wide.

Please enjoy your time with family and friends. Have a safe and healthy summer break. 

Hai, Hai, Masi cho, thank you.


Sincerely,


Cal Johnson
Superintendent of Schools/CEO
Northland School Division