Employees' Newsletter

Employees’ Newsletter

November 2013

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL ANNIE POPERT IN THIS ISSUE

HUMAN RESOURCES & November is an important month this year. Not only does it mark the 2 PAYROLL on Canada saving end of the school year’s first term, but it is also the time for us to bonds and the Quebec celebrate the 35th anniversary of the School Board. Pension Plan. The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) was signed on November 11, 1975. Nearly three years later, in July 1978, THE CODE OF ETHICS AND 3 the students, school staff and property from the federal and PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR: provincial school systems in Nunavik were officially transferred to the the complaint procedure and Kativik School Board. As of that date, the School Board became the Ombudsperson. fully operational. WHAT’S UP IN OUR SCHOOLS? 5 With its 35 years, this institution is still very young. It has been facing challenges, yet it has also come a long way, growing quickly in a NEW EMPLOYEES & relatively short period of time. 9 DATES TO KEEP IN MIND To mark our 35th anniversary, schools throughout Nunavik will organize local celebrations following the JBNQA holiday.

(continued...) On this occasion, I would like us all to acknowledge the efforts invested in developing the School Board as an institution. Our 35th anniversary should provide a moment to take a few steps back and look at what we – and our students - have accomplished; to look at our successes and to take pride in them.

These successes and achievements are the result of hard work; your hard work and your dedication to education in Nunavik. For these, I want to thank you deeply.

At the Regional Pedagogical Days of Kuujjuaq (Oct. 7-11) and Puvirnituq (Oct. 21-25), we consulted teachers on options for a new school calendar. These two consultations proved rich in discussions. They brought new perspectives, comments and proposals to the table. We are now compiling them and they will be incorporated to the proposals we will discuss during our next round of consultations.

The teachers’ participation in this exercise has been really appreciated. I will keep you informed of new developments, as we pursue further consultations with parents, unions and education committees.

I wish you happy 35th anniversary celebrations and a good rest of the semester!

HUMAN RESOURCES & PAYROLL

Canada Savings Bond Quebec Pension Plan the Plan for at least one year, New this year, employees of the Under the Quebec Pension will be able to receive a Kativik School Board have the Plan, on or after January 1st, retirement pension, even if they possibility to reduce or increase 2014, you no longer need to continue to work on a part-time their Canada saving bond have stopped working or or full-time basis. For any deduction at any time during the reached an agreement to questions, please visit: year. To obtain more information, reduce your working hours in

you can contact payroll at order to receive your retirement http://www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca/en/ [email protected]. pension before age 65. programmes/regime_rentes/m As a result, persons aged 60 odifications_rrq/Pages/modific and over who contributed to ations_rrq.aspx

2 EMPLOYEES’ NEWSLETTER ¤ November 2013 Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

The Code The Code aims at As mentioned in our last June issue, on March 20, 2013, the Commissioners of the Kativik School Board adopted a Code of fostering and Ethics and Professional Conduct. maintaining The Code aims at fostering and maintaining both trust and confidence in the confidence in the professionalism and integrity of KSB employees. It also intends to contribute to the creation of an environment integrity of the where co-workers are respected and where good performance school board and good conduct are encouraged. employees. The Code provides guidance on expected standards of behaviours applying to all employees. Amongst others, the Code specifies that School Board employees shall:

• Treat others with dignity, respect and consideration; • Not engage in activities which conflict with duty to the Board; • Not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while on the job; • Not have on-line activities that disrespect or insult students, parents or employees.

In the case of KSB educators and KSB staff in care of children, the Code mentions that they shall, amongst others:

• Strive to maintain productive relationships with parents; • Not undermine the confidence of students in other teachers or school staff members.

Standards related to the handling of confidential information are also detailed in the Code. They apply during and after (continued...)

3 EMPLOYEES’ NEWSLETTER ¤ November 2013 employment and include, for rather than strictly for The processing of complaints example, the requirement for assigned duties; deemed receivable, and the employees: The personal involvement in • appeal proceedings, both fall outside work, activity or • Not to communicate or within the mandate of the interest that may direct or post personal information school board’s Ombudsperson. regarding others obtained indirect repercussions on the while exercising duties; Board. The chart below illustrates the complaint procedure. • Not to discuss students’ The complaint procedure situations unless for The Ombudsperson professional reasons or as In cases where a KSB employee’s required by law. behaviour derogates from the The Ombudsperson is Code occurs, a complaint may Finally, the Code also requires responsible for the application be filed with the Associate KSB employees to avoid of the Code of Ethics and Secretary General, Me Louise conflict of interest. In other Professional Conduct. The Boissé. words, KSB employees are to Ombudsperson reviews and avoid making decisions for their investigates allegations and The complaint must be submitted personal gain rather than in the behaviours likely to derogate in writing. The person submitting it best interest of the board and from this Code. must be clearly identified. The its students. Specific examples written complaint should be e of actions leading to conflicts M Marie-Claude Picard and sufficiently detailed, so that a of interests are provided by the Ms. Nicole Charron have been decision can be made on code, such as: hired on a contractual basis to whether or not it is receivable. fulfill this mandate for the 2013- • The use of the Board’s 2014 school year. property for personal gain

4 EMPLOYEES’ NEWSLETTER ¤ November 2013 What’s up in our schools?

During the last week of October, Halloween was celebrated with enthusiasm throughout Nunavik. Once again this year, students displayed great creativity while getting involved in decorating their school and classroom. And, of course, we have seen Report cards amazing costumes! th As we reach the end of the first term in November, parents will be distribution, 35 invited to visit schools to pick up their children’s report cards and anniversary of the meet the teachers. During the second half of November, the 35th anniversary of the School Board will also be highlighted. In all School Board, communities, special events will be organized by the schools to Christmas concerts celebrate education with the parents and community members. and many more In December, everyone will be busy with the preparation of Christmas concerts, feasts, and bazaars... With varying schedules, things! schools will begin their Christmas and New Year holidays between December 18 and 20. Kuujjuaraapik In addition to offering a wide range of extracurricular activities after class hours, Assimautaq School has support from “Fusion jeunesse” to supervise lunchtime sports in the school. This project enables to use the services of a supervisor who offers students a variety of activities while discharging teachers for other additional tasks.

In partnership with the Rogers Foundation, Fusion jeunesse also organized social activities for students after class hours.

A project in partnership with the Center for Northern Studies of Université Laval also offers teachers and students innovative activities in sciences and mathematics. These activities aim to spark student interest in sciences while encouraging the application of mathematical and scientific notions to practical situations. (continued...)

5 EMPLOYEES’ NEWSLETTER ¤ November 2013 Assimautaq School also From November 18 to 24, Innalik funding to ensure daily servings of demonstrates continued School will participate in the fresh fruits to all its students. With commitment to arts. As a Addiction Awareness Week, three deliveries a week, students communication and individual along with the Inukjuak Family are guaranteed to eat fruits that expression medium, arts have House and the municipality. are always fresh and include a allowed students to reclaim the choice of diverse varieties. Follow-up awareness activities school by exhibiting their works on addiction will also be In a few weeks, Akulivik will also and by celebrating their fellow offered over the ensuing week, be represented by a team from students’ talents. under the leadership of the Tukisiniarvik at the Friendship In December, we will be proud municipality. The awareness Games in Salluit. They have been to present a photo exhibition campaign will end with a training for floor hockey and composed of a selection of parade in the community, basketball competitions. pictures produced by during which students will The organizing committee of the participants in the project display the posters and signs Christmas festivities started its “Youth Use Your PhotoVoice!” in they designed. event planning. This year again, 2010, 2011 and 2012. During the first week of our fundraising activities within the Umiujaq December Innalik School will community and the region will join forces with the municipality enable us to provide gifts to each Kiluutaq School is already of Inukjuak for the Aids of our students. planning the organization of its Prevention Week. annual Snow Day, as soon as Ivujivik the winter sets in for good. The Akulivik With the objective of fostering event proposes a variety of Following its Halloween stronger links between the outdoor activities, with a pumpkin sculpture contest, parents and the school, Nuvviti traditional culture component. Tukisiniarvik School proudly School will organize an Open Day Students from primary and upheld principles of responsible during the first week of secondary levels are invited to waste management. With the December. On that occasion, team up together and to help of our IPL students, parents will be invited to follow cooperate during competitive pumpkins have been baked their children in the classroom games. This special day is into delicious pies while seeds where they will join them for a always a good opportunity to have been roasted for all to teaching period. break the classroom’s daily enjoy!

routine while getting some fresh Tukisiniarvik School also secured air! (continued...) Inukjuak Following the creation of a Student Council in October, Tukisiniarvik fulfills students will be electing a Council President on November its commitment to 8. reuse entirely the On November 15, the Social Committee of Innalik School will school’s organize a “One minute to win” Halloween contest. Students will be asked Bernier to meet challenges within one pumpkins! - minute, using their physical, athletic and role-play skills. © Jade Duchesneau Jade ©

6 EMPLOYEES’ NEWSLETTER ¤ November 2013 With this initiative, the school the upcoming months, they Kangirsuk seeks to increase parent’s intend pursuing discussions on The Cirqiniq program will visit awareness and understanding how to make it happen. Kangirsuk from November 11 to of the school curriculum as well Among the goals underlying 22. Participants have the as to favor exchanges between the Friendship Games, the opportunity to learn and practice teachers and parents. organizers want to promote self- various disciplines over the two- The Friendship Games will be discipline and healthy life week program. kept alive this year, with an choices. These two elements A Crisis Prevention Intervention emphasis on sport competition. are incorporated in the training (CPI) workshop will be offered to Randy McLoed (Akulivik), and in the activities surrounding staff at Sautjuit School on Maggie MacDonnell (Salluit) it. “ Competition is fun, adds November 16. Facilitated by and Vincent Pilotto (Ivujivik) are Vincent. And it’s also a good certified School Principal Céline the lead organizers of the way to learn how to set Girard, the workshop aims at upcoming games. ourselves goals, break them providing behaviour down into achievable steps, Beyond the competitions, which management methods to school get at it and succeed along the will be hosted by Salluit from staff, with a focus on prevention. way.” November 14 to 18, they would The workshop will offer proven like the Friendship Games to In November, the competitions strategies to safely and effectively develop into a sustained series will include basketball and floor respond to anxious, hostile, or of inter-school competitions. hockey. Students from Akulivik, violent behaviour. Salluit and Ivujivik will “A punctual event is great, says participate. On November 19, teachers at Vincent, but it would be really Sautjuit School will participate in beneficial to set up more Salluit an Active Recess workshop, permanent teams trained over The community of Salluit is offered by Mélanie Picard (KSB a whole school year, with getting excited while preparing Healthy Schools Counsellor) and opportunities to compete to host the Friendship Games Catherine Boivin (KSB regularly against their peers from November 14 to 18. Pedagogical Counsellor for from different communities”. Everyone looks forward to the Physical Education and Health). The idea of training more competitions! permanent teams was The workshop’s objective is to proposed by Randy McLoed to support the school’s planning and organization of active recess on a his two colleagues this fall; over regular basis.

Throughout the workshop, teachers will assess their school’s needs, discuss recess Exciting organizations and review available material. After planning competition is their recess organization, teachers will test it themselves, using the expected at the material equipment available on Friendship Games site. The workshop is funded by the to be hosted by Healthy Schools program of the Bernier - Salluit (Nov. 18-24). Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services.

7 EMPLOYEES’ NEWSLETTER ¤ November 2013 Aupaluk On December 6, the school will of this approach beyond the host a healthy lunch for students school itself. The event will take Tarsakallak School will be and school staff, as part of the place. resuming its “Active Lunch Drop the Pop campaign. Time” activities in November. Before the end of this semester, The initiative promotes positive Kuujjuaq Ulluriaq School will inaugurate its life choices, with teachers and first ever Inuktitut Library. An Jaanimmarik School is setting up students sharing a lunch once a important part of the library was a Club for secondary 4 and 5 week before taking part in a stocked with donation of material students, offering them life skills sport or physical activity. from the Avataq Cultural Institute. development workshops. The Without the involvement of our Special thanks to our dedicated objective of the Club is to Inuktitut teachers, this project teachers who keep the extra prepare students for life after would not have been possible. curricular activities up and high-school, by introducing them Thank you to all of you! running. On Wednesdays and to budgeting, familiarizing them Thursdays, the arts club and with the use of various software, Sports still occupy an important volleyball competitions etc. part of daily activities at Ulluriaq. between staff and students are With weekly its workshops, the In view of the upcoming Kuujjuaq always expected with Club will introduce tools and tryouts for the Artic Winter Games eagerness by everyone! resources to students, which will in November, our badminton, Tasiujaq prove useful whether they table tennis and snowshoe choose to pursue higher athletes are pursuing their On November 1st, to help education or decide to join the training. The local Cross-Country secondary students recover workforce. Skiing Club will also resume its from the Halloween sugar rush, activities, as the snow is now a race will be organized in the Students from Jaanimmarik settling in for the winter. A afternoon. The Amazing Race School will also represent youths Snowboarding Club will also be will end the week on a healthy of the community at the launched, with separate boys’ and fun note. Kuujjuaq Parnasimautik and girls’ activities. consultation, during the first IPL students and a culture week of November. The school continues to work in teacher from Tasiujaq have partnership with the Northern been involved in a project, Kangiqsualujjuaq Village of Kangiqsualujjuaq to which explores a wide range of At Ulluriaq, our traditional support the Nunavik Youth food preparation, using "Celebration of Education" will Hockey development program. indigenous berries and plants. coincide with the 35th Many new players have joined From November 25 to anniversary of the School Board. the ranks of our team this year. December 2, students from This evening event is an Groups of secondary students Tasiujaq will visit students from opportunity for parents, continue to train on a regular Kangiqsualujjuaq. During that community members, school basis at the school’s "Spinning week, they will develop and staff and students to get Room". The latter is now equipped practice recipes based on the together and celebrate the with 10 stationary bikes, enabling local products they have successes of our school. The us to sustain a higher volume of identified and collected during event is used to highlight training participants. the month of September. achievements, which include, but are not limited to, Finally, the Ulluriaq School Back in Tasiujaq from graduations. During the evening, Canteen is working hard at December 2 to 6, students will we will introduce our feeding homemade goodies to test and grade their recipes by Compassionate School/PBIS plan students. The canteen is also organizing tasting events. to the audience, with the actively fundraising to sponsor a objective of fostering ownership South African student.

8 EMPLOYEES’ NEWSLETTER ¤ November 2013

NEW DATES TO EMPLOYEES KEEP IN MIND

It is our pleasure to announce • November 4 to 8, 2013: the appointment of Robert School Principals and Vice- Paquin to the position of Principals meeting in Director of Education Services. Kuujjuaq. Prior to his appointment Robert • November 11, 2013: James was working as a consultant Bay and Northern Quebec with the School Board. He has Agreement worked with us since 2009, first commemoration; 35th as School Principal and then as anniversary of the Kativik Coordinator of Schools. School Board. © Jade Duchesneau-Bernier Lisa Mesher also joined the • November 25 to 29, 2013: School Board on October 29th, Centre Directors meeting as Director of Adult Education Kuujjuaq. and Vocational Training. Lisa e worked as an Associate • M Marie-Claude Picard Director for Module du Nord and Ms. Nicole Charron will Québécois (MNQ). She is an be giving presentations on experienced manager with the role of the extensive experience Ombudsperson and conflict implementing and planning resolution to Kuujjuaq social programs. Welcome on employees on November 4, board! to Principals and Vice- Principals on November 5 Me Marie-Claude Picard and and to Montreal employees Nicole Charron will fulfill the on January 27 and 28. A mandate of Ombudsperson date will be scheduled for a until the end of the 2013-2014 presentation to Center school year. Directors in the spring 2014.

Anything you would like to read in our next issue? Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial team Jade Duchesneau Bernier & Kaudjak Padlayat

Kativik School Board 9800 Cavendish, suite 400 St-Laurent (QC) H4M 2V9