Retirees and long time teachers honoured by board

The Rainy River District School Board deeply appreciates its retiring staff members, all of whom have demonstrated a common commitment to student achievement and well-being. These staff members have devoted many years of significant service to the Board’s students, the district and the community. Rainy River District School Board retirees include Atikokan High School Principal, Darryl Gannon; Atikokan High School Vice Principal, Diana Coutts; Rainy River High School Vice Principal, Don McBride; Rainy River High School Education Assistant, Norma Jean Johnston; North Star Community School teacher, Karen McAndrew; North Star Community School Education Assistant, Lynn Lessard; North Star Community School Library Assistant, Mary Makarenko; Sturgeon Creek School Teachers, Mark Jodoin, and Vicki Ogilvie; Donald Young School Teacher, Beverly Wilson; Crossroads School Education Assistant, Barb Shute; J.W. Walker School Education Assistant, Paulette Hentonnen; Fort Frances High School Teacher, John MacGibbon; Robert Moore School Teacher, Marilyn Stinson; Robert Moore School Teacher/Education Centre Assistive Technology Resource Teacher, Carmen Williamson; Reading Recovery Leader, Janet Maxwell; Manager, Human Resources, Diane Ross; School Effectiveness Leader, Sylvia Parker; and Manager, Plant Operations & Maintenance, Raymond Roy. Retirees have been invited to a breakfast celebration with Board trustees, senior administration, school leadership, and federation representatives.
On behalf of the Rainy River District School Board at its meeting on June 5, 2012 held at the Education Centre in Fort Frances, Ann Cox, Manager, Human Resources, honoured employees for 25 years of service. The Rainy River District School Board appreciates all staff members who work on behalf of students, and recognizes the dedication and commitment of its employees who have served the Board for 25 years. Those who received the distinction included Fort Frances High School Teachers, Doris Barton, Scott Doherty, William Fisher, and Nancy Gillon; and Assistive Technology Resource Teacher/Robert Moore School Special Education Resource Teacher, Carmen Williamson.
Board Chair, Mike Lewis,

honoured this year’s school nominated volunteers of the year, Lynn Lund from Mine Centre School and Jolene Bonnema from North Star Community School. Volunteers enrich students’ lives and contribute to student success with the support, talents, and time that they give to schools of the Rainy River District School Board. Lynn Lund volunteers hours of her time each day to provide support with the Mine Centre School breakfast and snack programs. Proper nutrition enables students to be more attentive, more ready to learn, and more successful in school. Jolene Bonnema volunteers her time in both the primary and junior classrooms at North Star Community School to enhance the dance curriculum. She works collaboratively with teachers, and helps to create an environment that enables every child to experience success.
Nikki Armstrong, of the Rainy River District Transportation Services Consortium, presented this year’s school nominated driver of the year award to Brian Carlson who drives the DB 109 OWL route, transporting J.W. Walker School Kindergarten students. School bus drivers are the dedicated, responsible and reliable professionals who safely deliver children to and from school each and every day whether rain, snow or shine. Brian Carlson is known for his ability to create a safe, caring and welcoming experience for J.W. Walker School’s youngest students.
As valued employees and school community members who have been making a genuine difference in the lives of students and staff, all honourees received a token of appreciation.