Students Leave Classes

Facebook photo of students protest in Rainy River

High school students are expressing their displeasure with the Liberal government and its treatment of teachers.

A Facebook site, originating out of Rainy River, helped spur student walk-outs across the province yesterday.

Maria Vanderbrand of Rainy River High School says most students involved stand behind teachers and their anger over the bill that imposes new contracts on them.

Rainy River students marched through the community.

Vanderbrand says students are worried teachers protests could lead to a curtailing of school activities.


A group of students at Fort Frances High School was among those involved in the class walk-outs.

They marched from the school to the Court House in their support for teachers.

Thomas Lepine says their school events, especially athletic teams, are important to maintain..

No events have yet been placed on hold, but teachers were advised by its union not to participate in extra-curricular activities on Wednesday as a protest against the Liberal's legislated imposed contract.

McGuinty Mondays Proposed

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario is suggesting teachers take part in what they're calling "McGuinty Mondays."

It asks teachers not to attend mandatory meetings or participate in any extracurricular activities throughout the entire school year as a form of protest over the Liberals freezing wages and cutting benefits for the next two years.

Federal Jobs Cut in Northwestern Ontario

Forty-eight federal jobs dealing with human resources and employment insurance are being cut in Thunder Bay and Kenora.

Union Spokesperson Judith Monteith-Farrell says some of the jobs were moved to Southern Ontario and some were just eliminated.

Quetico Fires Continue To Be Monitored

The Ministry of Natural Resources says it continue to monitor two forest fires in Quetico Provincial Park, one that has been burning since the end of August.

Smoke from the blazes has been drifting into Minnesota, causing some worries for residents living east of Ely and along the Gunflint Trail.

The MNR says one fire is now 170 hectares in size and if it continues to spread south, suppression efforts will be taken to prevent it from crossing into Minnesota.

David Bouchard Visits

The Rainy River District School Board is preparing for a return visit by well-known Canadian author David Bouchard.

The one-time educator will be make presentations across the district next week about the power of literacy and joy of reading.

Education Director Heather Campbell encourages people to attend the community sessions.

Here's the list of times and locations

Community Events
Riverview School - September 17, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
Robert Moore School - September 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.
Mine Centre School - September 19, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
J.W. Walker School - September 19, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
North Star Community School - September 20, 2012 during lunch hour

Primary classroom visits for students

Crossroads School, Nestor Falls School, Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program and Sturgeon Creek School and Donald Young School -  September 17, 2012 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Donald Young School

Riverview School and McCrosson-Tovell - September 17, 2012 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Riverview School

Crossroads School - September 18, 2012 from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Crossroads School

J.W. Walker School - September 18, 2012 from 11:00-11:30 a.m.

Robert Moore School - September 18, 2012 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Mine Centre School - September 19, 2012 during lunch hour

North Star Community School - September 20, 2012 during lunch hour

Officer Promoted

A promotion for an OPP officer in Fort Frances.

Staff Sergeant Scott Gobiel has been named the Rainy River District detachment's operations manager.

It's a position held previously by now Detachment Commander Inspector Steve Shouldice.

Gobiel is one of the last remaining officers with the former Fort Frances Police Service before its amalgamation with the OPP in 1988 and has been servicing as a shift supervisor for the past four years.