Thank you for visiting us at Red Lake Madsen Public School. Come in!

Miigwech gi-bi-izhaayeg Red Lake-Madsen Public School. Biindigeg!

Land Acknowledgment Statement

In the Spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, Red Lake-Madsen Public School acknowledges that we are gathered to work, live, and play on the customary, traditional lands and territory of the Anishnaabeg of Treaty 3. It's now home to many other diverse Indigenous Peoples such as the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. We acknowledge our students from Pikangikum, Sandy Lake and Deer Lake in Treaty 5 as well as our staff from Mishkeegogamang in Treaty 9. We are dedicated to honouring Indigenous history and culture and committed to moving forward by recognizing Indigenous contributions to Canada past and present. 

Mission Statement

Along with parents and the community, we will strive to provide a safe, encouraging and respectful environment.  We will cultivate each child’s full academic and individual potential and empower each child to become a citizen who demonstrates self discipline, empathy and respect for all members of their diverse communities.

Our Mascot

Our school mascot is the Northern Raven – a fascinating and resourceful bird that is not only highly intelligent but very unique in personality.  We think that in many ways, it is a good reflection of what we aim to be.

Our Student Body

Red Lake – Madsen Public School is a JK-Gr. 8 school whose population is 155 students.  30% of the student population has self identified as Aboriginal.  In addition, the school receives students on a regular basis from Child and Family Services, Tikinagan and New Starts for Women.  We have also receive students from Pikangikum and other communities in the north.

Facilities

Staff and students enjoy a clean and bright learning environment for teaching and learning. The main body of school is over 50 years old, however the school underwent major renovations during 1995.  As a result, there are 12 classrooms, a full sized gym with stage, a library resource center, and a well-equipped computer lab.  Family Futures, a joint venture between Child and Family Services and Firefly is also housed within the building.   The Red Lake Daycare also shares the building with the school.  The school is kept in excellent condition and is well respected by students, staff and visitors.  It is also an energy-efficient school.  A project was recently completed to create more parking in the far corner of the front grounds, where the baseball diamond currently is.

Teaching and Learning

Academic programs are offered from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 and are based on current Ontario curriculum.  Teachers participate in on-going professional development and training (at the Board and school level).  At this time, emphasis is being placed on implementation of all parts of the assessment process.  All teachers participate in professional learning communities with a focus on student work, assessment and classroom data.  It has been a focus to work on addressing the needs of First Nations students consistently both through use of specific strategies and through embedding First Nations culture into day to day instruction. 

French as a Second Language is offered to students for 150 minutes per week.  RLMPS uses the AIM program.  Students experience this second language instruction through gestures.  Students become familiar with specific stories written in the form of plays, songs and other activities.  Through motivating language activities, students develop confidence and competence in the French language.  

Native Language is offered to students for 150 minutes per week.  Students are engaged in a variety of hands on, oral, written and text activities.   Students have developed the ability to converse and have experienced culturally relevant instruction.  

Special Education services are available for students with identified learning disabilities.  These are available within the regular classroom or in small group sessions in an alternate location.  In-school support team meetings occur to sustain communication regarding students’ progress and on-going support for their learning. 

Our Parents and Partners

The School Council is made up of a positive and supportive group of parents and community members.  Participation has been consistent.  This group has an annual focus established each year by the members.

Other initiatives are provided by excellent partners such as the Best Starts Hub (Roots of Empathy), our Student Counselor (Lions Quest), and Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre (Boys’ Club, Girls’ Club, Lunch Homework Club, among others).  Each year, our school applies for a SpeakUp Grant and have been able to establish a space for Intermediate students in the foyer with that, as well as to purchase materials for clubs such as Lego.

Breakfast for Learning is a program that provides full breakfasts for students every day.  Our dedicated committee has organized family and community members to prepare and serve breakfast daily to any students who wish to attend.  The menu is exceptionally nutritious and varied.  Funding for this program has come primarily from donations.  This program has recently expanded to include a hot lunch Wednesdays at second nutrition break at a cost of $1.00.  Hot lunch is homemade by community volunteers from the Harmony Centre each week.  Students are treated to chicken noodle soup, homemade cream of mushroom soup (surprisingly popular!), sausage and corn soup, etc.  This program is a primary component in the success of our students.

HIGHLIGHTS

Numeracy & Literacy

The goal of staff at Red Lake Madsen Public School is to establish a culture of teaching and learning to support the “whole” student and to better support all students to independently demonstrate higher order and critical thinking.  To that end, we are committed to:

• fostering a culture of high expectations
• a team approach
• uninterrupted blocks of literacy/numeracy instruction
• working collaboratively through the PLC process (including using all available data to determine our pathway and using class data walls and assessment to plan for gradual release)
• closing achievement gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students
• the writing process and ongoing analysis,  assessment and collection of student writing
• specific and purposeful focus on developing students’ higher order thinking skills
• engaging students in the assessment process through use of tools they understand and timely feedback

Pathways

• Students in Grades 1-6 will complete “My Self, My School, My Future” portfolios.
• Grade 7 and 8 students will continue to use the Hire Education program.
• The School Council provides a Career Day to Intermediate students every second year.

Community, Culture and Caring

• Corn Roast and Information Night in September for families 
• Choir
• Chess Club
• Roots of Empathy
• Breakfast Club
• Homework Club
• Lunch and Homework Club with the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre
• Soup Volunteers
• Christmas Concert
• Harvest Festival (Hallowe’en)
• Grades 6 to 8 students to complete the “Tell Them From Me” survey
• SpeakUp Application:  done annually to bring spirit and inclusiveness to the student body
• Sports
• Public Speaking
• Book Fairs
• Relay for Life (well attended as a staff group and by students)
• Dances
• Graduation Celebration

Above all, we love our students.  We are grateful for our parents, our community and our Board who support us as we do our important work with students.

We hope you enjoy your visit!