This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, March 25, 2019 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in April 2019.
Shannon Binder, Chair of the Board, acknowledged the First Peoples of the territory. This evening we acknowledge that the land on which we are gathered is part of the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee people. We acknowledge the land to show respect and recognize the First Peoples of the territory; their history, culture and perspectives and as a step towards reconciliation.
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 Mike Brant, Trustee, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, asked all to reflect on Integrity: We do what is right for ourselves and others. We demonstrate values and ethics that are good for all. We speak directly, clearly and respectfully.
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Presentation
Achieving Excellence & Equity: K-12 Focus on Math
This was an engaging visual presentation describing innovative approaches to teaching and learning mathematics at elementary and secondary schools. Superintendent Tina Elliott began by commenting about educational leaders who empower students to be confident, creative and curious mathematical learners in K-12. She introduced five teachers from elementary and secondary schools who described their approach to teaching mathematics, and also central office teaching personnel who support them.
Number Talks is a successful approach used in many classrooms. Number Talks engage students in taking risks and share their learning with the classmates and teacher. Another successful approach is Building Thinking Classrooms. It involves students working in random groups, doing work at the whiteboard, with lots of talking and collaborating, eventually coming to consensus on what the answer should be. These approaches help to create a community of mathematicians and learners who improve their mathematical understanding. Students take ownership of their learning while teachers guide them and summarize the learning at the end of the class. These approaches to instruction facilitate group/shared knowledge in ways that are accessible and inclusive for all, resulting in students feeling more confident about math and empathetic to their classmates inside and outside the classroom.
- Student testimonial 1: In response to the question, How does a number talk help you learn? Emily, a student in Grade 2 replied, Using different strategies helps me to learn how to get to the answer faster.
- Student testimonial 2: Student voice through video.
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Thank you to the classroom teachers who presented at the March Board meeting: Tonya Ashton, C.M.L. Snider School; Lisa Allery and Melanie Lee, Park Dale School; Jennifer Cooke, Sir John A. Macdonald School; and David Lanovaz, Trenton High School, back row starting second from left.
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Thank you to the classroom teachers who presented: Tonya Ashton, C.M.L. Snider School; Lisa Allery and Melanie Lee, Park Dale School; Jennifer Cooke, Sir John A. Macdonald School; and David Lanovaz, Trenton High School.
Report from Committee of the Whole Board
One item was discussed at the Committee of the Whole Board meeting:
- Appointment of superintendents
These meetings are closed to the public as provided by s. 207 (2) of the Education Act.
Recommendations
2019-2020 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).
A consultation process occurred with employee groups, parents, school councils and community members. An online survey was also available for public input.
Board members approved the following dates for the 2019-2020 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 3, 2019
- Semester 2 will begin Monday, February 3, 2020
- The last day of school for students will be Friday, June 26, 2020
- The following seven dates are designated as professional activity days:
- Friday, September 27, 2019
- Friday, November 1, 2019
- Friday, November 29, 2019
- Friday, January 31, 2020
- Friday, April 3, 2020
- Friday, June 5, 2020
- Friday, June 26, 2020
- 10 examination days* are designated for secondary schools:
- Thursday, January 23, 2020 through to Wednesday, January 29, 2020
- Wednesday, June 17, 2020 through to Tuesday, June 23, 2020
*Actual dates may vary, please confirm with each secondary school.
The following dates are included for reference.
Statutory, Ministry of Education and School Board Holidays
| Statutory Holidays |
Ministry of Education proposed dates for the 2019-2020 School Year Calendar |
HPEDSB dates for the 2019-2020 School Year Calendar |
| Labour Day |
Monday, September 2, 2019 |
Same |
| Thanksgiving Day |
Monday, October 14, 2019 |
Same |
| Christmas Break (inclusive) |
Monday, December 23, 2019 to Friday, January 3, 2020 |
Same |
| Family Day |
Monday, February 17, 2020 |
Same |
| Mid-winter Break (inclusive) |
Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20, 2020 |
Same |
| Good Friday |
Friday, April 10, 2020 |
Same |
| Easter Monday |
Monday, April 13, 2020 |
Same |
| Victoria Day |
Monday, May 18, 2020 |
Same |
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events (Pdf) are scheduled for the remainder of March and April 2019.
Upcoming events include the following:
- March 28: "A Call to Action" drama performance by students from Prince Edward Collegiate Institute, 7:00 p.m., Core Arts Centre, Belleville
- April 2: Chess Tournament, Bird's Creek Public School
- April 3: Grade 12 Waterloo Math Contest, 12:00 p.m., Centre Hastings Secondary School
- April 9: Rotary Festival Choir Judging, 12:30 p.m., V. P. Carswell Elementary School
- April 15: Elders Ada and Christine visiting SK-Grade 4 classes, Bird's Creek Public School
- April 18: "Better Together" School Wide Pancake Lunch, 1:40 p.m., Prince Charles Public School (Trenton)
- April 24: Relay Day for Athol-South Marysburgh Public School and C.M.L. Snider School
- April 29: Healthy, Active, Mindful Night (Well-being), Massassaga-Rednersville Public School
Report from the Chair
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Acknowledgement of newly appointed superintendents Ken Dostaler, Student Services; and Tina Elliott, Curriculum Services
- Announcement about nominations now being accepted for the Great Place Awards; due date is Friday, April 26, 2019
- School Climate Surveys soon to be open for students in Grade 4-12, families and school staff to complete during the month of April 2019
Report from the Executive Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Update on Policy 8: Board Members' Code of Conduct
- Trustee professional learning session at the end of April 2019
Report from the Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Presentation by Gord Taylor, CEO, about the services of Tri-Board Student Transportation Services
- Review underway of four policies
- Renovations to Prince Edward Collegiate Institute including yard improvements, lifts in the elementary wing and more
- Transition teams to be established to work through Bayside Secondary School and North Hastings High School becoming 7-12 schools in September 2019
Report from the Program and Human Resources Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Overview of mental health strategies underway and an overview of the Student Services team
- Update on provincial funding for students with autism
- Proposed dates for the school year calendar
- Review underway of four policies
Notice of Motion regarding Policy 8: Board Members' Code of Conduct
Notice of motion was given that amendments to Policy 8: Board Members' Code of Conduct, will be on the agenda for the April 2019 meeting.
Reports from trustees
- The following topics were discussed at the recent Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) meeting: cannabis information sessions hosted be Hastings prince Edward Public Health; Parent Reaching Out grants received by 12 schools; review of school year calendar dates; update on recent announcements by the provincial government related to class sizes, autism funding and online learning
- A reminder about Prom Project and donations being accepted for this most worthwhile initiative for students
Upcoming meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Monday, April 1: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
- Monday, April 8:
- Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 23:
- Budget Committee, 3:30 p.m.
- Public Board, 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 24: Parent Involvement Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, April 25: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 62354, [email protected]