1. First Nations Student Success Program Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre

2. Successful schools begin by engaging students and making sure they come to school regularly. That may seem obvious. What's less obvious is that the consequences of low attendance are serious for all children and for the community, not just the students who miss school. www.greatschools.org

3.  “the activities, events, rooms, people, values, support systems and environment that keeps our Aboriginal students in school.” (Toulouse, 2010, p. 19)  It’s about students staying in school by having access to emotional, physical, mental and spiritual resources that help them to be successful.

4.  Peer and school staff relationships  Home environment  School environment  Peer influences  Parental attitude (education, school)  Ability to function at school (on all levels)  Interest level in school  Unfair discipline policies  Parent/school communication  Access to community resources

5.  Physical: good health, food, exercise, shelter, hygiene.  Social-Emotional: acceptance, kindness, friendship, desire to love and be loved.  Mental: intellectual growth, creativity and stimulating challenges.  Spiritual: contribution, meaning, uniqueness. (Source: The Leader in Me by Stephen Covey)

6.  Responsible for coordinating support services for students at risk of dropping out of school. This includes a range of support and counselling services aimed at helping students continue their schooling.

7.  Develop and maintain effective partnerships with school administrators, teachers and parents.  Identify strengths, challenges and possibilities related to student retention.  Provide information, guidance and support to assist teachers and school administrators improve student retention within their schools as part of their school success planning process.

8.  Play a key role in developing support networks for parents and children/youth.  Develop and deliver training for school staff and administrators.  Develop and sustain positive relationships with communities, service providers and other stakeholders involved in FNSSP.

10.  School newsletters  Resources for parents  Local radio  BBQ’s / Lunches  Carnivals  Weekly calls home  Invitations to parents for school outings, sports events, celebrations  Family literacy night

11.  Breakfast and lunch programs  No Bully Zone / zero tolerance for bullying  Bus supervision  Supervised recess  Integrating various grade levels in activities for student interaction.

12.  Dance  Sports  Hockey  Family Night  Land-based and cultural activities

13.  School tours.  NNEC, Shibogama and KO staff visits to communities to talk to students during intake.  Care packages for students.  Individual sessions with social counsellors.

14.  School/Community Feasts  Square Dances  Cultural Activities  Elders visiting school and doing activities with students.  Students doing fundraising activities in the community.

15.  Lack of parental involvement  Lack of community-school connection and communication  Lack of time for staff to implement strategies/programs  Parental behaviour/addiction  Lack of support staff (i.e. only 1 bus driver)

16.  One-to-one tutoring for additional high school support.  Better communication between secondary school guardians and parents.  Educating parents about student’s needs in high school (i.e. being able to call home, monitoring spending while away).  More personal counselling for parents.  Professional development for social counsellors.

17.  Lena Fiddler, Mishkeegogamang  Helen Kakegamic, Keewaywin  Hilarius Moose, Pikangikum  Linda Johnson, KiHS  Bruce Sainnawaap, Wunnimun Lake  Jerry Wesley, Cat Lake  Sophie Moskataywenene, Elder

18. 1. Inform communities about student retention issues. 2. Share resources, knowledge and what works. 3. Provide recommendations to KERC Board of Directors on policies relating to student retention.

19. 4. Provide opportunities for students/schools/communities to network. 5. Promote the importance of education to students, parents and communities.

20. 1. Empowering Parents 2. Engaging Students 3. Educating Educators 4. Enhancing Community 5. Embracing the Wisdom of Elders

21.  Commitment  Consistency  Continuity...from everyone!

22. “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” Henry Ford

23. Student Retention Coordinator Florence Sanderson fsanderson@kerc.ca Phone: 807-737-7373 Toll Free: 1-866-326-1077