KiHS Orientation Week in Balmertown
KiHS began the 2004/2005 school year with a week of training in Balmertown with new and returning KiHS teachers. This orientation week was an intense but enjoyable week where valuable skills were sharpened and support established for the staff and students in the 13 KiHS Partner Communities.
It was great to be able to use the new Keewaytinook Okimakanak Centre of Excellence in Balmertown to deliver the training. The building is home KO’s Telehealth program as well as KiHS. This building resulted from contributions made by Industry Canada through the SMART communities project. Click here to see some pictures of the session.
This year Bearskin Lake joins the KiHS program and we anticipate a great successful year there as we deliver the grade 9 program and also grade 10 courses to those interested.
The staff are from all parts of the country and are excited about the experiences that they are anticipating as they travel to the communities. They are also expecting to learn much from the people there as they help guide students to success.
During the week, training sessions focused on the following:
- Ministry of Education requirements and expectations that were presented in a teleconference session with the District Manager of the Ministry of Education in Thunder Bay, Carlana Lindeman.
- Training from Brian Beaton, John Moreau, and Jamie Rae of knet services in Sioux Lookout on the use of the technology that will be used such as videoconferencing equipment, IP telephones, network setup and maintenance, troubleshooting of common problems, software training, and much more.
- A session via video conference with Cal Kenny on the use and editing functions of digital video cameras.
- Training on the use of the KiHS e-learning platform, ZED, on how to migrate courses from traditional curriculum documents to online delivery while maintaining standards of excellence.
- and a whole lot more....
We are expecting a great year as applications continue to come from the Northern communities. This year we have a great selection of courses to better meet the needs of students with a new timing schedule for the terms as well.
If you are interested in taking a course at KiHS this year, please look at our website at www.kihs.knet.ca and contact us at the Balmertown office. We would love to help you decide how to earn the credits that you need to complete your OSSD while remaining in your home community.
Darrin Potter
KiHS Principal