This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, February 25, 2019 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in March 2019.
Shannon Binder, Chair of the Board, acknowledged that the meeting is taking place on the land of the Haudenosaunee people.
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 is our intentional focus on creating safe, caring, respectful and inclusive learning environments where students develop the 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 Meera Moorthy, Student Trustee, asked all to reflect on Humour: We celebrate the fun in life. We lighten the emotions of others by interacting in a joyful manner.
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Presentation
Achieving Excellence & Equity: Overview of Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs
Superintendent Cathy Portt introduced presenters from the Education Centre and Eastside Secondary School.
Specialist High Skills Major programs are for students in Grades 11 and 12, and can be accessed by students in all pathways. The group provided a visual presentation highlighting the Construction and Sports SHSMs at Eastside Secondary School.
The group also highlighted the experiential learning activities (for example building sheds and a chicken coop) and participating in the Ontario Technical Skills Competition.
Compulsory certifications in SHSMs include: Standard First Aid; CPR Level C, AED; Basic Health and Safety; Working at Heights; WHMIS. Some of the elective certifications include: Elevated Work Platforms; Confined Space Awareness; Scaffold Safety; Chainsaw Safety; Traffic Control; and Trenching Safety.
- Student Braden Tebworth is in the Construction SHSM and recommends it to anyone who wants to get into the trades. Braden explained that he has learned so much and would like to work in HVAC. He is planning to go to college for HVAC and is looking forward to starting his own business one day.
- Student Hannah Dafoe is in the Sports Management SHSM and talked about how it has focused her vision for a future career. She described having access to reach ahead experiences, one of which was to attend a Toronto Raptors game and meet the players, management and office personnel.
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Thank you to presenters from Eastside Secondary School (centre and sitting) and from the Education Centre, about Specialist High Skills Major programs.
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Thank you to the presenters for being part of the meeting.
- Eastside Secondary School
- Eric Fetterley, Vice-principal
- Ted Shepherd, Teacher, Construction SHSM
- Braden Tebworth, Student
- Dakota Cooney, Student
- Hannah Dafoe
- Tracy Demianchuk, Curriculum Services Coordinator
Recommendations
Terms of Reference for the Ad Hoc Director's Selection Committee
Board members approved the Terms of Reference for the Director's Selection Committee.
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events (Pdf) are scheduled for March 2019.
Upcoming events include the following:
- March 5: Junior Basketball Tournament, Madoc Township Public School
- March 6: Rockin' Read-a-Thon, Tyendinaga Public School
- March 7: Talent Show, 6:00 p.m., Deseronto Public School
- March 20: Primary Math Night, 6:30 p.m., Foxboro Public School
Report from the Chair
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Participating in the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the County Food Hub at Sophiasburgh Central School on February 8
- Participating in a literacy event at Harmony Public School
- A presentation to Superintendent Cathy Portt who is retiring in mid-March. Cathy has worked with HPEDSB for 33 years as an elementary teacher, curriculum coordinator, vice-principal, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. She has served as the president of OPHEA and chair of the local Ontario Principals' Council. In 1991 Cathy organized the first Celebration of Dance for students, an event which is still going strong. Cathy is steadfast in her belief that all students can achieve excellence and equity.
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Superintendent Cathy Portt is retiring from HPEDSB in mid-March after 33 years. Congratulations, Cathy!
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Report from Executive Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Upcoming policy review (five policies)
- Attendance at the Board of Director's Meeting for the Ontario Public School Boards' Association
Report from the Ad Hoc Director's Selection Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Confirmed the nine trustees to be on the committee
- Reviewed the initial Terms of Reference
- Discussed hiring an external firm to assist with recruitment
Report from Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- 2019-2020 budget planning timelines
- Update on live streaming public Board meetings, municipal tax revenue and the new K-8 school in east Belleville
Report from Program and Human Resources Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Upcoming policy review (five policies)
Reports from Trustees and Student Trustees
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Student trustee participation at the Ontario Student Trustees' Association this past weekend
- Report forthcoming about the OPSBA meeting this past weekend
- A handout about Prom Project which accepts gently-used formal wear for students
- Participation at a meeting of the HPEDSB Leadership Development Committee
Upcoming meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Wednesday, February 27: Parent Involvement Committee, 5:30 p.m. (rescheduled from February 19)
- Thursday, February 28: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, March 4: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
- Monday, March 18:
- Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 20: Parent Involvement Committee, 6:30 p.m.
- Monday, March 25: Public Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 62354, [email protected]