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New supports, coach for Indigenous students at Kenora Catholic Written by Ryan Forbes Friday, Apr 23 2021, 5:00 AM Bob Kowal (top left) has joined the Kenora Catholic District School Board as their new First Nation, Métis and Inuit Graduation Coach.
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The Kenora Catholic District School Board has introduced new supports for First Nation, Métis and Inuit students, as they hope to improve Indigenous graduation rates locally.
Bob Kowal joined Kenora Catholic to start the First Nation, Métis and Inuit Graduation Coach program in January, 2021. He’ll work to improve relationships and engagement with families and to develop community partnerships in the area, as well as to increase graduation rates for Indigenous students.
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Education Minister Stephen Lecce. Photo courtesy of the Ontario Government.
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A combined multi-million dollar investment from the provincial and federal governments will aim to keep students in northwestern Ontario as safe as possible from COVID-19.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Catherine McKenna and provincial Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott announced the combined $656.5 million investment on April 14.
Leaders say the funding will support ventilation projects to improve air quality in classrooms, new water bottle refilling stations, network and broadband infrastructure improvements to support remote learning, and new walls and doors to enhance physical distancing spaces within schools.
Supplied photo
Schools across northwestern Ontario are getting more money to upgrade their facilities to protect students and staff from COVID-19.
A total of $656.5 million is being allocated as part of a new joint Canada/Ontario funding agreement.
The federal government is investing $525.2 million, while the province is responsible for more than $131.1 million.
Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the funding can be spent on projects like ventilation, air cooling systems, HVAC upgrades, physical distancing initiatives, installing handwashing stations or touchless faucets and soap dispensers.
The funding is available to install water bottle refilling stations and broadband expansion to support remote learning.
The federal government is spending $525.5 million to protect students and staff from COVID-19 in Ontario schools.
The Keewatin-Patricia District School is receiving $1.25 million, while $137 thousand has been earmarked for the Kenora Catholic District School Board.
Catherine McKenna, the Federal Minister of Infrastructure, admits schools need immediate assistance.
“It’s a great partnership with the Province of Ontario,” says McKenna, “These projects will improve air quality in classrooms, install more hand washing stations, and support better physical distancing.”
Ontario’s Education Minister, Stephen Lecce, adds that this new round of funding isn’t just for issues faced today.
“It will allow us to look forward to continuing building upon the investments Ontario has made to improve the safety of schools, the facilities that house our children, and allow our students and staff to learn every day.”