PVNC School Board and CUPE Local 1453 Reach Local Collective Agreement

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board announces that it has reached a local collective agreement with CUPE Local 1453, approved on Feb. 7.

file photo.

PVNC employs about 800 CUPE members, representing support staff such as custodians, maintenance staff, secretaries, educational assistants, early childhood educators, learning commons specialists, paraprofessionals and central IT employees among others.

A tentative agreement was reached on Jan. 24 after eight days of local bargaining, and it was ratified by local CUPE members on Jan. 28. Trustees approved the agreement during a special board meeting held on Feb. 7.

“This agreement is a reflection of a commitment to working together to negotiate in good faith and reach a deal that benefits the Board and CUPE Local 1453 members. I am pleased that a deal was reached, and I couldn't be happier for the members of CUPE Local 1453,” said Nora Shaughnessy, president of CUPE Local 1453.

CUPE and the Ontario government reached a tentative central agreement in November, which was ratified by the union in December.

The collective bargaining framework for the education sector features a two-tier bargaining process involving both central and local bargaining. Central bargaining typically includes significant monetary and policy issues (e.g. compensation, benefits and paid leaves), while local negotiations typically involve non-monetary issues or matters specific to the local board.

“We are so pleased to have reached this agreement with our dedicated support workers. It’s an indication of the strong working relationship we enjoy with our CUPE partners,” said Joan Carragher, director of education. “I thank all the hard-working members of the bargaining teams on both sides for their dedication to the process and their spirit of collaboration and cooperation.”

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St. Peter CSS Returns To the Showplace Stage With 'GREASE: The Musical'

St. Peter Catholic Secondary School is set to return to the Showplace Performance Centre with the production of GREASE The Musical starting Feb. 15.

Photo courtesy of St. Peter CSS.

Sandy (Vaughan) and Danny (Forsyth)

Photo courtesy of St. Peter CSS.

Photo courtesy of St. Peter CSS.

For the first time since 2018, St. Peter’s is taking the Showplace stage with Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s GREASE The Musical, running performances until Feb. 18.

The production includes close to 200 students and staff within the school community, and is directed by drama teacher and arts chair Paul Crough. St. Peter’s staff Jennifer Riel (choreographer), James Wright (music director) and Dyanne McDonald (stage manager) are among the production crew as well.

“It’s always an exciting time, we have students from Grade 9 through 12 in the musical. The part that I love about the whole experience that the audience doesn’t get to see is the process,” said Crough. “We have students who have never sung publicly in front of someone, and they’re terrified at auditions, and we witness the growth that takes place within their confidence with a like-minded group.”

Cast leads include Ryan Forsyth as Danny and Macayla Vaughan as Sandy. The two say they are excited to see the production come to fruition with all of the hard work going on behind the scenes.

“This is a dream role of mine, and as the first and last show I get to be a part of with this school, it is something special,” said Vaughan.

General admission tickets are $28.50 plus fees and are available for purchase at the Showplace Performance Centre box office (290 George St. N) or online.

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Fleming College Students Earn Global Recognition Through International Business Competition

Three Fleming College teams were ranked within the top global 100 during the Glo-Bus international business competition in November.

Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students and 80,000 alumni. Photo courtesy of Fleming college, Facebook.

The competition ran from Oct. 1 to Nov. 27, and the students competed against 2,076 teams from 108 colleges and universities from around the world. Students were tasked with running companies which compete for global market leadership in two product categories-high quality wearable cameras and sophisticated, camera-equipped copter drones.  

Teams had two practice rounds followed by seven weeks of competition over a period of nine weeks. Each round represented one business year. During the week’s final competition, three Fleming teams placed within the top 100.  

C Company, made up of Fleming College students Benjamin Allan Gomes, Fathimathzuhara Makkara Thazha Kuni, Yasir Mukhtar and Subhasis Samuel Xess were recognized as having the 57th-best Return on Average Equity for the week.  

Sri Subrahmanyam Ayyagari, Polash Karmokar and Jaya Surya Sangaraju Mohan, who made up Company A, were recognized for having the 75th Best Stock Price of the week.  

The co-managers of Company B, The Road Runners, made up of Fleming students Rohan Ashutosh Jokhakar, Priya Prem Kumar, Gagandeep Singh Tiwana and Navroz Vyas, were recognized for their overall Game-To-Date score, tying for the 97th spot.   

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GoFundMe Created For Local Teacher That Suffered Fatal Injuries From Single-Vehicle Accident

A GoFundMe has been set up to honour the memory of grade 5/6 teacher Lucia Colacci who passed away in a single-vehicle accident on Pigeon Lake Road on Monday.

Facebook photo.

The 51-year-old St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School teacher was married to her husband Jeff Kitney and had three children, Mateo, Marco and Natalia.  

The money raised will ease the financial burdens following Colacci’s death.

On Monday, Kawartha Lakes OPP responded to the scene of a single-vehicle rollover on Pigeon Lake Road around 8:30 a.m. near Downeyville.

Colacci was transported to the hospital from the scene where she later passed away. 

Kindergarten teacher Patricia Campbell says she worked together with Colacci for years, calling her both a friend and a colleague.

“If you knew Lucia, you knew that her presence was undeniable. When she walked into a room, she oozed confidence, enthusiasm, and self-assurance,” said Campbell. “She had a big smile, a big voice, and an even bigger personality but her students never felt intimidated by her. That was because in addition to being a great speaker, Lucia was also a great listener and an even better observer.”

Campbell and Colacci worked together at St. John Paul II and previously at St. Dominic CES.

“Lucia was the kind of educator that all educators aspire to be. Over the course of her teaching career she motivated and inspired hundreds of young people and she undoubtedly left a lasting impression on each and every one of them. Lucia had a way of breaking down walls and reaching even the most reluctant of learners. In her classroom, everyone was seen. Nobody was forgotten or ignored. Lucia made each of her students feel valued, respected, and cared for,” continued Campbell. “Her absence will be felt deeply. In our community, in our school, in our hearts. But even in her absence, Lucia will continue to teach all of us; about generosity, kindness, empathy, patience and faith, along with a multitude of other things. We were all blessed beyond measure to know her.”

Additional social workers were assigned to the school on Tuesday and are available for any students who require additional support.

Mental health support is offered through the Kids Helpline 24/7. Text CONNECT to 686868, or call toll-free at 1-800-668-6868.

The school’s flag was lowered at half-mast to honour Colacci’s memory.

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Keith Wightman Students Throw Celebration For Teacher With Breast Cancer During Terry Fox Walk

This year’s Terry Fox walk for Keith Wightman Public School brought special meaning to these kindergarten through grade six students.

Photo courtesy of Keith Wightman Public School.

Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Lytle was diagnosed with breast cancer last school year and got to see her students at the walk on Thursday for the first time since her diagnosis.

The school has done a number of activities to raise awareness in Lytle’s honour including designing Terry-inspired running shoes and wearing pink.

The beloved teacher was greeted with high-fives and written notes from students upon her arrival.

“We teach because we love kids, and being away from them has been hard,” said Lytle. “I’m super excited to see what’s going on, and to be here (at the school) again.”

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Lytle, who lives in Hastings with her husband, finished out the school year this past June, knowing the diagnosis was coming.

She is a month into her treatment and will be in chemotherapy for the next four months. She says she will likely not return this school year.

“I think in terms of the kids and the school community, it makes it real a little bit for them. We’re a K (kindergarten) to (grade) six school, and a lot of what teachers talk about they don’t fully grasp,” she said. “It’s important for people to share their stories, there’s so much mystery and fear that comes from the cancer diagnosis. When people are open about it, it’s easier and it makes it a little less intimidating for everyone.”

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Immaculate Conception School Gains Additional Library Funding From Chapters Fundraiser For

Immaculate Conception School became one of 138 schools in Canada to have its library benefit from proceeds made by the Chapter’s Indigo Love of Reading Foundation’s annual Adopt a School fundraiser.

Photos courtesy of Immaculate Conception School.

The majority of the school’s library budget comes from book fair fundraisers and new purchases have been slim since 2019.

The money will be used to grow the school’s S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) book collection, update their fiction series, create a Maker Space for students and increase the number of books they have by/about BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and) People of Colour) and other under-represented groups.

Donations are being accepted in person at Chapters Peterborough, located at 873 Lansdowne St. between Sept. 12 and Oct. 2.

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Peterborough Police Will Increase Traffic Enforcement In School Zones After Labour Day

In partnership with Peterborough County and Township of Cavan Monaghan, Peterborough Police Services will be increasing traffic enforcement in school zones this fall.

Stock Photo.

As children and staff return to school in September, school busses, cars and foot traffic will increase in school zones.

Drivers are reminded to take extra precautions including slowing down in school zones, planning to leave early, giving at least one metre’s clearance to cyclists, and stopping for school buses.

Peterborough Police Services would like to remind motorists of the following:

1) You must stop for stopped school buses with lights flashing.

2) Speeding in a school zone can result in fines and demerit points.

3) Crossing guards have the right to stop traffic at crosswalks – abide by their direction.

4) Distracted driving can cost you up to $3000 in fines, 6 demerit points and a 30-day

license suspension.

To keep school children safe, Peterborough Police will be monitoring and issuing tickets as required for offences in school zones and/or community safety zones.

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Douro Elementary School Fundraising For An Accessible Playground

St Joseph Elementary School in Douro is hosting a garage sale and bottle drive to fundraise for an accessible playground, at the Douro Community Centre on Saturday.

The current play structure at St Joseph.

St Joseph Catholic Elementary School was home to about 235 to 240 students in 2020.

“The school is the only school in the small and close knit community of Douro,” said Nicole Sullivan, a parent at St Josephs. “The school has welcomed all students with a focus on being inclusive and accessible.”

St Joseph’s also hosts a before and after school program facilitated by Compass Early Learning Centre, a not for profit organization.

With students of varying abilities, the current play structure is simply inaccessible to some, says Sullivan.

Staff and students at St Joseph hope to replace the inaccessible, and partly broken, play structure for both students at the school and community members to be able to enjoy.

On Saturday the community will host a garage sale, bottle drive and bake sale at the Douro Community Centre from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. with all proceeds being put towards the new structure.

Also happening in Douro on Saturday is a Plant and Book Sale to support programs of the Douro Library held inside the Douro Arena May 6 from 12 - 4 p.m. and May 7 from 8 a.m. -12 p.m.

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St. Paul Elementary School Lakefield Students Thank Selwyn Fire Department For Putting Out Fire on School Property

Students at St. Paul Elementary School Lakefield sent cards to the Selwyn Fire Department on Tuesday to thank them for responding to a fire on school property on Feb. 16.

Photo courtesy of PVNCCDSB.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. last Wednesday, officers were called to a shed fire at St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Lakefield.

Selwyn Township firefighters responded and prevented the fire from spreading to the school building. While the shed was destroyed, there was no damage to the school or portable classrooms as classes resumed the following day.

“On behalf of the students, staff members and families of St. Paul Catholic Elementary School, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Selwyn Township firefighters who worked hard to protect our school,” said Principal Lisa Gemmiti-Folz.

Fire prevention officer Andrew Bowyer and firefighter Greg Frost picked up the cards in person at the school on Tuesday.

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Local High School Teacher Taking Shift Back To Online Learning In Stride

High school teacher Kelli O’Connell says while the Ontario Government announcement of shifting back to online school is not ideal, it is important to focus on the positive.

Stock photo.

The Ontario Government announced on Monday that schools would shift back to online learning until at least Jan. 17.

This came just days after they announced that students would return to in-class learning on Jan. 5.

“We just jump right back to where we were last year - which is working from my kitchen - while trying to get my 12 year old on their computer at some point,” said OConnell.

OConnell is currently teaching high school french, and has a 12 year old in grade 7 at home.

She says her high school aged students have little interest in engaging online.

“They do not appear on screen, they do not share anything, they’re really moderately ‘checked in’ it’s very difficult to engage them - whereas in class we can chat face to face and I can call on people - but online they don’t want to speak and I don’t blame them.”

Teaching online has forced herself and her colleagues to becoming creative with her teaching and grading.

“It’s almost impossible to test students, because they’re on their computer so they can just Google anything. I say to my students ‘it’s about effort, how much effort are you putting into this?’,” she said.

O’Connell say that while this is not an ideal situation, it is ultimately what herself, and other teachers have to deal with.

“I don’t see any advantage to getting my knickers in a knot about something I can’t control,” she said. “This too shall pass, this is going to be over at some point and ultimately it’s an exercise in creativity. It’s learning to find the positive. It’s better if we can figure out how we can make this the most exciting and interesting adventure. Look - we are living in one of the best times to have a pandemic, we have Netflix people.”

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