This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, May 25, 2015 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next regular meeting in June 2015.
Presentation
14th Annual Great Place Awards
Mandy Savery-Whiteway, Director of Education, asked Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer to introduce the 14th Annual Great Place Awards. They are the highest recognition within Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. Great Place Awards recognize outstanding contributions to support student achievement and well-being, and emphasize the commitment to the Growing with Character attributes of caring, cooperation, honesty, humour, integrity, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness. The committee reviewed 21 nominations and selected 10 award recipients.
Congratulations to Great Place Awards recipients:
- Kirsten Babb, Teacher, Moira Secondary School
- Kelly Briggs, Community Partner, Military Family Resource Centre
- Lee Ann Clark, Educational Assistant, Trenton High School
- Jim Doyle, Teacher, Moira Secondary School
- Kim Foley, Educational Assistant, Madoc Township Public School
- Monika Gajdosik, Teacher, Queen Elizabeth School (Picton)
- Brad Hendrick, Repair Technologist, Education Centre
- Jackie Howat, Volunteer, Madoc Public School
- Sheila Vincent, Volunteer, Tweed Elementary School
- Liz Watson, Teacher, Stirling Public School
Outstanding Leadership Award from the Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment & Trauma Response
Mark Fisher, Superintendent of School Climate & Student Well-Being Services recognized Shelley Steele, Safe Schools Supervisor, on being a recipient of the Outstanding Leadership Award. It is a national award recently presented to Shelley by the Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment & Trauma Response in early May. Shelley's efforts have been instrumental in establishing a process for Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board to work with community and police partners to respond to all student behaviours which pose a potential risk to other students, staff and members of the community.
Report from the Committee of the Whole
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Disposal of surplus property in Deseronto.
- Probationary status of elementary teacher.
Recommendations
Membership on the Premier's Community Hub Framework Advisory Group
Board members approved sending a letter to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Education in support of the Ontario Public School Boards'Association (OPSBA) recommendation to appoint an OPSBA representative to the Premier's Community Hub Framework Advisory Group.
On April 8, 2015, the Ontario government appointed nine members to the Premier's Community Hub Framework Advisory Group. This group will work with the Premier's Special Advisor, Karen Pitre, to review provincial policies and develop a framework for adapting
existing public assets to become community hubs. No member of OPSBA was included in the Advisory Group.
A community hub can be a school, a neighbourhood centre or another public space that offers coordinated services such as education, health care and social services.
The nine members appointed represent specialized knowledge and expertise in a variety of areas including education, finance and community building. They will consult widely with community groups and other partners to harness a broad range of perspectives which will inform the government's approach to moving forward with community hubs which will provide high-quality, accessible and community services.
Appointment of student trustees for 2015-2016
Board members appointed Lauren Barry, Centre Hastings Secondary School, and Morgan Hillier, Moira Secondary School, as student trustees. Tianna Tishbein, Quinte Secondary School, was appointed as the alternate student trustee. All are effective August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016.
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events are scheduled for the remainder of May and June 2015.
Upcoming events include the following:
- Thursday, May 28: Susanna Moodie Elementary School Grade 4/5 students, trip to Queen's University.
- Friday, May 29: Musikwerx performances for the Trenton elementary schools at Trenton High School.
- Monday, June 1: Friday, June 5 : Geoventure Field Study Trip at Frontenac Provincial Park, Moira Secondary School.
- Monday, June 8: School Group Track & Field at C.M.L. Snider School.
Report from Executive Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Community Information Meeting was recently held in Trenton for the new Trenton elementary school, to review the site plan and design.
- A school closing ceremony is scheduled for Queen Elizabeth Public School (Trenton) on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
- Two meetings have been held with the senior team, middle management and principal representatives to plan for the new strategic plan.
Report from the Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Update on the new Trenton elementary school, such as receiving approval to demolish the existing school (the new school will be built on the same location). The tender for construction is expected to be released in July 2015.
Report from the Program and Human Resources Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Update on Aboriginal education, specifically at York River Public School in Bancroft.
Presentation about technology courses at secondary schools.
Report from Student Trustees
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Participation by the new student trustees at the Ontario Student Trustees'Association Conference this past weekend.
Upcoming meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Monday June 1: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
- Monday, June 8: Budget Committee, 4:30 p.m.
- Monday, June 8: Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- Monday, June 8: Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 10: Audit Committee, 3:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 11: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, June 15: Public Board, 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 2354, [email protected]