SIS RFP Update

Always thinking about ‘what’s next,’ ECNO is focused on how best we can support the ever-changing world of education in Ontario. One of our priorities over the past 18 months has been leading the conversation on what a robust and user-friendly Student Information System (SIS) could look like. We have heard from our 72 members that a modern, visual and highly adaptable SIS is key to improving both classroom and administration efficiencies. Current marketplace offerings have some of the benefits Ontario school boards are looking for, but there appears to be an opportunity to be meeting these needs with a more user-focused approach.

Since December, ECNO and our EAC committee has been working with Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM) to develop an RFP that would ask suppliers to develop proposals to provide and manage a SIS system that could be used by all Ontario school boards. As part of this research, ECNO and OECM have held several planning workshops, visited four (4) school boards and consulted with dozens of administrative and classroom leaders to understand what a robust SIS system should include and how best it could integrate into existing school board platforms. 

This RFP process has been a remarkable success and has resulted in ECNO and OECM building a clear, concise and actionable RFP that will be released in early May 2018. We are excited about what this RFP will do for improving communication and collaboration between teaching and admin staff. Our hope is that a successful vendor will be selected by November 2018.

At this time ECNO will be removing itself from the RFP process and handing the managing of next steps to OECM. This includes the formal issuing of the RFP, collection and evaluation of responses and awarding of the contract to the supplier that is best able to meet the needs of ECNO members. 

ECNO has provided our leadership and expertise to help build an RFP that is focused on the practical and real world needs of our 72 Ontario member Boards. We are now handing over full control of the RFP to the proven and unbiased expertise of the OECM. We know that OECM’s proven skills are in managing large scale purchases like this and they have the knowledge and process in place to evaluate responses quickly and effectively. ECNO is committed and excited to find new and creative ways to support our members. We know this SIS RFP will be a valuable tool for all Ontario boards in the coming years.

Welcoming our 73 ^rd Member Board and a Water Advocacy Message

We are proud to announce that Wikwemikong Board of Education has become ECNO’s 73rd member board! 

The Wikwemikong Board of Education is located in Wikwemikong, Ontario. Their vision is “to promote lifelong learning and academic success guided by Anishinawbe world views.” As the oldest education system in Northern Ontario, they realize this vision by providing programs for everyone in their community – daycare, K – 12 in their three schools, including one of the only on-reserve high schools in Ontario, and adult education enabling their community to upgrade and engage in learning for life. 

“We are excited about being able to take advantage of the influence ECNO has with respect to purchasing and SIS developments,” said Mark Gibeault, Education Technology Lead, Wikwemikong Board of Education. “We look forward to networking with other professionals in the education technology field at the Annual Conference and are very excited about the potential for our students to access OSAPAC software through our new membership.”

Speaking of influence, you may know one of their students Autumn Peltier. Autumn is a grade 8 student with the Wikwemikong Board and has taken her strong water advocacy message across Canada and most recently to the United Nations. Autumn comes from the Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, and attends the Wikwemikong Pontiac School in Wikwemikong where she lives. 

Autumn is on a mission to remind Canada that there is a water crisis with our First Nations communities and all over the world. “Water is alive, and it has a spirit, she hurts every day…from polluting the water, dumping toxic waste and garbage. The water is sick, and our Mother Earth is being disrespected, mainly from the people who own the factories of the world. We need her (Mother Earth), not the other way around,” said Autumn.

Autumn asks world leaders to “Warrior Up” and start protecting water for the sake of the coming generations of mankind. She speaks on behalf of other children who may not have a voice and she hopes to make a change for the better. 

The school has provided Autumn with a laptop and through Office365 applications, she is able to maintain her studies while she is delivering her passionate message. “Autumn is an advocate for all of mankind in the quest to ensure that all people have access to clean, running water,” said Lorraine Pitawanakwat, Autumn’s Principal. “We are proud of the work she does.” 

You can read more about Autumn at this profile CBC did on her last fall.

Conference Update

Have you registered for the 2018 ECNO Conference yet? Our theme this year is Explore the Possibili-IT-ies!

The ECNO Conference was born out of the idea that many of the ICT challenges at any one board will be similar to experiences in other school boards. Given these common challenges, ECNO saw a fantastic opportunity in the sharing of school board best practices by organizing a yearly conference. The conference allows solution providers and vendors to showcase their products and service offerings by hosting one-hour sessions on the Monday of the conference. On the Tuesday, school boards will have the opportunity to host one-hour sessions to showcase their respective school board best practices. Other highlights of the conference include top keynote speakers, social activities to foster collaboration amongst school board employees and solution providers, a student focused presentation given by students and their supporting teachers and a charity focused fundraiser.

Don’t miss out on this great learning and networking opportunity. Register today!

A New Look for ECNO!

You may have noticed our new logo! It reflects our renewed focus on serving the needs of Ontario school boards. You will be seeing more of it as we get closer to the conference in June. Stay tuned!!

A reminder that the team from Keous Solutions is here to support your needs for our K212 products. You can reach their support team by submitting a ticket at  k212support.keous.com  or by calling 1-866-99-KEOUS (1-866-995-3687).