Rainbow District School Board welcomes Student Trustee for 2012-2013

Michael Niven, a Grade 12 student at Manitoulin Secondary School, will serve as Student Trustee on the Rainbow District School Board for the 2012-2013 school year. He was sworn in at the Board meeting on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. Director of Education Norm Blaseg administered the Oath of Allegiance.

Michael Niven, a Grade 12 student at Manitoulin Secondary School, will serve as Student Trustee on the Rainbow District School Board for the 2012-2013 school year. He was sworn in at the Board meeting on Tuesday, August 28, 2012.

“We are delighted to welcome Michael Niven as a Student Trustee,” said Rainbow District School Board Chair Doreen Dewar. “Rainbow District School Board values the student voice. Michael will bring this important perspective to the table.”

She added: “As a Student Trustee, he will have an opportunity to gain a first-hand look at the role of elected officials in a democratic society as well as develop leadership skills that will last a lifetime.”

Michael Niven has been a member of Student Council at Manitoulin Secondary School since Grade 9. He is currently Treasurer of the Student Council. He was on the 24-hour Sports-a-Thon Planning Committee last fall. His active involvement in sports and other activities has given him an opportunity to visit a number of Rainbow secondary schools.

“I have always wanted to make school life more enjoyable and all-encompassing for students,” he said. “I am now able to bring my ideas to the board table and really help my peers. Education is an extremely important part of growth in all humans. It is even more important to make sure that students not only get a strong education, but an education that they look forward to every day of the week.”

He added: “As a Student Trustee, I will listen and learn while working alongside trustees who have been involved within the education system for many years. I will value their experience as I strive to enhance the wonderful education system that we have.”

The new school year begins the day after Labour Day. The first day of school is Tuesday, September 4, 2012 for all area school boards, including Rainbow District School Board, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, le Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario and le Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario. There will be no early dismissal on the first day.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.