Public Board Meeting Update #140: March 27, 2017

Public Board Meeting Update #140: March 27, 2017
Posted on 03/27/2017

This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, March 27, 2017 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in April 2017.

Character Moment of Reflection

Each Board meeting opens with a Character Moment of Reflection. At Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, Growing with Character (web page) is our intentional focus on creating safe, caring, respectful and inclusive learning environments where students develop foundation for good character. Growing with Character is the foundation of the school board strategic plan. Through Growing with Character, we model, teach and expect demonstrations of our eight character traits which are: caring, cooperation, honesty, humour, integrity, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness.

This evening Jim Williams, Trustee for Sidney & Frankford, asked all to reflect on honesty: We choose to live truthfully. We communicate and act in a sincere and respectful way.

Presentation

Achieving Excellence & Equity, 21st Century Learning Roundtable Event

This presentation was opened by Cathy Portt, Superintendent of Education. She explained that the Ministry of Education provides school boards with funding through a technology fund. The Ministry hosted the 4th Annual 21st Century Learning Roundtable Event this winter. HPEDSB staff were invited to host a break-out session about progress being made on the global technologies and technology enhanced learning.

Presenters described the 10 global competencies that have helped to define our image of the educated person. These competencies support students to become globally minded learners and leaders.

Director of Education

Pictured (back row): Mandy Savery Whiteway, Director of Education; Cathy Portt, Superintendent of Education; Roger Ramsay, Coordinator; Tracy Demianchuk, Coordinator; Ben Claxton, Instructional Coach; Lucille Kyle, Chair of the Board and Dave Patterson, Vice-chair of the Board. (Front row): Delanie Austin, Student Trustee, Quinte Secondary School; Saud Bin Haseeb, Student Trustee, Moira Secondary School.

The 10 competencies are:

  • Caring, inclusive citizens
  • Collaborators
  • Communicators
  • Creative thinkers
  • Critical thinkers
  • Digitally fluent
  • Entrepreneurial
  • Literate citizens
  • Numerate citizens
  • Well-being

Presenters also described participation in a worldwide project called New Pedagogies for Deep Learning. This project involves eight HPEDSB schools, in addition to several from other countries. It focuses on two areas: educator learning and student learning. The connection to globally minded learners and learners includes a review of how to measure the global competencies. Student progress is monitored and tracked along a continuum. Analysis tools include a teacher rubric, a student rubric and a student self-assessment. The hashtag #hpecompetencies is used through social media to promote the learning.

Presenters also described the HPEDSB virtual learning environment commonly referred to as the VLE. It is an online common area for students and employees to access training or professional learning opportunities for health and safety, early learning modules, WHMIS 2015 and more. It also hosts a collection of approved resources related to the 10 global competencies.

Thank you to presenters Ben Claxton, Tracy Demianchuk and Roger Ramsay from the Education Centre.

Report from Committee of the Whole Board

This report included the following:

  • disposal of surplus properties.

Recommendations

2017-2018 School Year Calendar
Each spring, school boards are required to establish a school year calendar for the next school year in accordance with Regulation 304 School Year Calendar. This regulation sets the beginning and end dates for the school year, stipulates school holidays, and prescribes the minimum number of instructional days (194) and the maximum number of professional activity days (7), examinations days (10) and board designated holidays (2).

In establishing the annual school year calendar, it is the practice of the Board to consult with employee groups, parents, community members and neighbouring school boards about the use and placement of professional activity days, examination days and board holidays in order to ensure the optimum use of school time and to determine transportation costs. Meetings have also been held with representatives of the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board (with whom this board shares bus routes) and the Limestone District School Board (with whom the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board shares bus routes).

Board members approved the following dates for the 2017-2018 school year calendar. These dates are subject to Ministry of Education approval, which is expected by the late spring.

  • The first day of school for students will be Tuesday, September 5, 2017
  • Semester 2 will begin Friday, February 2, 2018
  • The last day of the school for students will be Friday, June 29, 2018
  • The following seven dates be designated as professional activity days:
    • Friday, September 29, 2017
    • Friday, October 27, 2017
    • Friday, November 24, 2017
    • Friday, February 2, 2018
    • Friday, April 13, 2018
    • Friday, May 18, 2018
    • Friday, June 29, 2018
  • Ten examination days* be approved for secondary schools:
    • Thursday, January 25 to Wednesday, January 31, 2018
    • Thursday, June 21 to Wednesday, June 27, 2018

*Actual dates may vary, please confirm with each secondary school.
The following dates were not included in this report. However, they are included for reference.

Statutory, Ministry of Education and School Board Holidays

Holidays Ministry of Education Proposed Dates for the 2017-2018 School Year Calendar Proposed HPEDSB Dates for the 2017-2018 School Year Calendar
Labour Day Monday, September 4, 2017 Same
Thanksgiving Day Monday, October 9, 2017 Same
Christmas Break (inclusive) Monday, December 25, 2017 to
Friday, January 5, 2018		 Same
Family Day Monday, February 19, 2018 Same
Mid-winter Break (inclusive) Monday, March 12 to
Friday, March 16, 2018		 Same
Good Friday Friday, March 30, 2018 Same
Easter Monday Monday, April 2, 2018 Same
Victoria Day Monday, May 21, 2018 Same

Proposed Policy Resolution regarding the Ontario Public School Boards' Association
The Ontario Public School Board Association (OPSBA) promotes and enforces public education, as follows:

  • by helping member boards to fulfill their mandates;
  • developing effective partnerships with other groups interested in public education; and
  • providing a strong and effective voice on behalf of public education in Ontario.

OPSBA's five regional councils-North, West, East, Central East and Central West-advise the Executive Council and Board of Directors of issues and matters affecting their school boards. The member Boards of each region hold at least two meetings each year, usually in the fall and the spring, in addition to the regional meetings held at OPSBA's Public Education Symposium and the Annual General Meeting. Due to geographical distances on site meetings may require greater travel time and expense in a time of diminishing board resources. The valuable comradery and informal discussion that can occur enroute and at the meeting must be offset with consideration to available finite resources and efficiency.

Board members approved the following resolution about this topic: "Be it resolved that OPSBA, upon written request of the regional council (North, West, East, Central East and Central West) enable the technological (via Adobe Connect or comparable program) holding of one/both regional meetings."

Information

A number of district and school events (Pdf) are scheduled for the remainder of March and April 2017. Some upcoming events include the following:

  • March 31: Education for Computing in Ontario, Education Centre
  • April 5: Family Literacy Night, Stirling Public School
  • April 5: Student Senate Meeting, Education Centre
  • April 6: Rotary Spelling Bee, Queen Elizabeth School (Belleville)
  • April 6: Prom Project, 12:30 to 5:00 p.m., Quinte Secondary School
  • April 10 & 11: OFSAA Gymnastics, Centennial Secondary School
  • April 12: Positivity Assembly, Moira Secondary School
  • April 12: Mathletes, Madoc Public School and Madoc Township Public School
  • April 26: Parent Math Engagement Night, Coe Hill School
  • April 27: Prom Project, 3:30 p.m., North Hastings High Schoo
  • May 12 - 14: 50th Anniversary Celebrations for Centennial Secondary School

Report from the Chair
Highlights from this report included the following:

  • March 22 was the first 'Possibilities Wednesdays' for HPEDSB. It is a social media campaign with coordinated efforts to celebrate students, employees, learning and leadership. Three more dates are scheduled for this school year: April 19, May 24 and June 21. On these dates the hashtag
  • #HPEpossibilities is used, although its use is not limited to only those dates.
    Nominations are open for the 16th Annual Great Place Awards. Due date is Friday, April 21, 2017.

Report from the Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:

  • Clarification of enrolment numbers for Bayside Public School.
  • Update on the accommodation review process.
  • Flow of information from meetings, to committee meetings to the website.

Report from the Program and Human Resources Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:

  • A math presentation and connections to the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Well-Being. Specifically, the presenters described 'number talks' which happen in classes from K-8 using a 'mental math' teaching strategy.
  • Reviewed the proposed school year calendar
  • Update about using technology for OPSBA regional meetings.

Report from the Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:

  • Tender for the renovations at Marmora Senior Public School has been released and will close April 20, 2017.
  • Public sector salary disclosure update; clarification was provided on this annual report of employees who are paid $100,000 or greater in a calendar year. The 2016 year shows an increased number due to an option for some employees to access an early retirement gratuity payout as made available through provincial negotiations. The number of employees on the 2016 list has increased over 2015. The report will be posted on the website later this week.

Notice of Motion: 2016-2017 Board Policy Review, Part B
This Notice of Motion is to give notice of motion that a recommendation will be brought to the April 24, 2017 Board meeting to approve changes to the following policies:

  • Policy 3 Operations: Form F003-1 Request for Delegation
  • Policy 3-B: Electronic Meetings
  • Policy 3-E: Honoraria for Board Meetings
  • Policy 3-F: Expense Reimbursement for Board Members
  • Policy 3-H: Filling Vacancies on the Board
  • Policy 7: Policy Development Review
  • Policy 11-B: Program and Human Resources Committee
  • Policy 11-C: Operations and Finance Committee
  • Policy 11-E: Budget Committee
  • Policy 11-H: Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL) Committee
  • Policy 11-I: Audit Committee
  • Policy 11-L: Student Discipline Committee
  • Policy 13: Appeals and Hearings Regarding Discipline
  • Policy 13: Appeals and Hearings Regarding Discipline, Forms
  • Policy 14: Hearings on Termination of Teacher Employment

Reports from Student Trustees
The report included the following:

  • Student Senate is reviewing processes for nominating new student senators
  • Activities happening at local secondary schools included the following:
    • Kindness Assembly at Moira Secondary School
      Literacy Summit recently hosted at Moira Secondary School

Upcoming meetings

All meetings take place at the Education Centre and are public unless otherwise noted.

  • Monday, April 3: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
  • Monday, April 10: Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee, 3:30 p.m.
  • Monday, April 10: Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
  • Monday, April 10: Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
  • Monday, April 24: Public Board, 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 27: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 2354, [email protected]