We are very pleased to announce that the Durham District School Board has received funding through the Aboriginal Education Office of the Ontario Ministry of Education to support ten initiatives this school year. Below is an outline briefly describing a number of these initiatives:
1. Aboriginal Family Activity and Student Mentorship Program (evening program has been completed for this year)
All DDSB Aboriginal students from JK to grade 12 are welcome to attend. The families of students in JK to grade 5 are invited to participate. Students in grades 6 to 12 are encouraged to attend on their own in order to benefit from interacting with adult mentors from local Aboriginal communities.
Families with children in JK to grade 5: The program begins at 6:00 P.M. and concludes by 7:45 P.M. each evening. Participants must be accompanied by an adult. Families are welcome.
Grade 6 to 12 Students: The program begins at 5:30 P.M. and concludes at 8:00 P.M. each evening.
Locations
and
Sessions
GL Roberts CVI
Cafetorium
Dates
Pickering HS
Theatre Arts Room
Dates
Port Perry HS
Library Resource Centre
Dates
One
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Two
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Three
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Four
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Library Resource Centre
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The evening component of the program is now complete. There are two Saturday field trips remaining.
Saturday, May 15 - Visit to Curve Lake First Nation - This trip is provided at no charge to families. Transportation, lunch, and visits to the Whetung Gallery and Curve Lake First Nation Cultural Centre are included.
Saturday, June 5 (evening) - See the Toronto Nationals Field Lacrosse game against Chicago, Lamport Stadium, Toronto - Transportation and entrance to see the game is provided at no charge. June 5 is Aboriginal Day at the stadium. Vendors, food, presentations are part of the evening. This is an outdoor facility - dress accordingly
Contact the DDSB Aboriginal Education Office to register over the phone (905-666-6397) and speak with Bill Littefair.
2. Spring Leadership Camp - Funding has been received to offer Spring Leadership Camp for the second year.The dates for this year's camp are May 26, 27 and 28 at Youth Leadership Camp Canada located on Pigeon Lake (about 20 minutes west of Peterborough). Leadership Camp is for secondary Aboriginal students and students who are taking Native Studies this year. Spaces are limited. Field trip forms have been sent home to families. Buses will be picking up students at their schools during the morning of May 26.
3. Durham Aboriginal Education Symposium: Spirit Calling - Ways of Knowing -For the second year, our board worked with the Durham Catholic District School Board to provide professional development for educators from across the Durham Region. This year's event was held Wednesday, May 5, 2010.
4. School-based Projects - Capacity continues to build across our board. Several school-based projects designed to support Aboriginal Education have received funding for this year. Look for pictures and highlights as the projects develop during the course of the school year.
5. Professional Development - Once again we look forward to working with local Aboriginal communities to support professional development and provide authentic Aboriginal voice to educators. The DDSB Aboriginal Education Department continues its commitment to increase awareness of Aboriginal histories, cultures and perspectives for all students and educators.
Aboriginal Education Program Updates(Excerpts from the DDSB Program Newsletter)
