This update provides a summary of the public meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, February 24, 2020 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in March 2020.
Lucille Kyle, 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 Kristen Parks, Trustee, Sidney and Frankford, 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.
Celebrating students
Centre Hastings Secondary School: Showcasing the skilled trades and Specialist High Skills Majors
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The presentation showcased the skilled trades and Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) programs at Centre Hastings Secondary School.
SHSMs are Ministry of Education-approved specialized programs where students focus their learning in a specific economic sector. SHSMs assist students transition to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace after graduation. As part of the Construction SHSM, students have done work in the community, including building a bridge at O'Hara Mill and constructing buildings at the H.R. Frink Outdoor Education Centre.
Student Jessica Davies, Grade 12, shared how the Construction SHSM changed her school experience for the better: she got excited to go to school, to do homework, to do the training and certifications. She will be going to Loyalist College for a 3-year architecture program after graduation.
In Jessica's words: "I would 100% recommend SHSMs to other students. I tell people that if they're interested in hands-on work and want to pursue a career in construction or mechanics, for example, the SHSM will give you a really good idea of what the work will be. If something breaks down, you'll have an idea of what's wrong or how to fix it before calling someone else."
Another student, Nat, was featured in a video and said this about his SHSM learning: "If you want to get out of high school with enough knowledge to get to where you want to go, you will have the experience to get there."
Thank you to the CHSS presentation team:
- Jessica Davies, Grade 12
- Mitch Darby, Automotive Teacher
- Thomas Kirk, Communications Technology Teacher
- Nicholas McFadden, Student Success Lead Teacher
- Sarah Wannamaker, Guidance Department Head
- Dayna Scaletta, Principal
Recommendations
Fire alarm renewal at multiple sites
Board members approved a tender for fire alarm system renewal, including emergency lighting, at several schools totalling $1,948,145, as follows:
- Ferguson Electric Company Ltd. for fire alarm system upgrades at:
- Foxboro Public School in the amount of $129,000
- Frankford Public School in the amount of $151,000
- North Hasting High School in the amount of $539,000
- Park Dale School in the amount of $164,000
- Trenton High School in the amount of $269,000
- V.P. Carswell Elementary School in the amount of $68,000
- McClement Electric Ltd. for fire alarm system upgrades at:
- Bayside Secondary School in the amount of $246,960
- Harry J. Clarke Public School in the amount of $213,260
- Prince Charles School (Belleville) in the amount of $167,925
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Thank you to the CHSS presentation team pictured with Darren McFarlane, Experiential Learning and Safe Schools Lead (back row left); Mitch Darby, Automotive Teacher (back row second from left); Nicholas McFadden, Student Success Lead Teacher (back row second from right); Thomas Kirk, Communications Technology Teacher (far right); Dayna Scaletta, Principal (second from left); Jessica Davies, Grade 12 (front centre) and Sarah Wannamaker, Guidance Department Head (second from right). .
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2020-2021 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 2020-2021 school year calendar. These dates are subject to Ministry of Education approval, which is expected by the late spring of 2020.
- First day of school for students will be Tuesday, September 1, 2020
- Winter Break will be be from Monday, December 21, 2020 to Friday, January 1, 2021
- Semester 2 will begin Friday, January 29, 2021
- Mid-winter Break will be from Monday, March 15 to Friday, March 19, 2021
- Last day of school for students be Thursday, June 24, 2021
- Seven professional activity days:
- Monday, August 31, 2020
- Friday, September 25, 2020
- Friday, November 20, 2020
- Friday, January 29, 2021
- Friday, April 30, 2021
- Friday, June 4, 2021
- Friday, June 25, 2021
- 10 examination days be approved for secondary schools*
- Thursday, January 21, 2021 through to Wednesday, January 27, 2021
- Wednesday, June 16, 2021 through to Tuesday, June 22, 2021
*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 2020-2021 School Year Calendar |
HPEDSB dates for the 2020-2021 School Year Calendar |
| Labour Day |
Monday, September 7, 2020 |
Same |
| Thanksgiving Day |
Monday, October 12, 2020 |
Same |
| Winter Break (inclusive) |
Monday, December 21, 2020 to Friday, January 1, 2021 |
Same |
| Family Day |
Monday, February 15, 2021 |
Same |
| Mid-winter Break (inclusive) |
Monday, March 15 to Friday, March 19, 2021 |
Same |
| Good Friday |
Friday, April 2, 2021 |
Same |
| Easter Monday |
Monday, April 5, 2021 |
Same |
| Victoria Day |
Monday, May 24, 2021 |
Same |
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events (Pdf) are scheduled for March 2020.
- March 2: Lacrosse Clinic K-8, Athol-South Marysburgh Public School
- First week of March: Dr. Seuss Week at various elementary schools
- Various dates in early March: PAWS Reading Program, Bayside Public School
- March 11 & 12, 2020: Basketball Tournament, Bayside Secondary School
- March 28: OPSBA Eastern Regional Meeting, Sophiasburgh Central School
Mental health and social/emotional supports for students
Highlights from this staff report included the following:
- Use of a tiered approach to support mental health and well-being for all students:
- Tier 1 is mental health promotion: universal class-wide mental health promotion initiatives (good for all); welcoming, inclusive, understanding environments using resources and supports that reinforce every day mental health practices in classrooms
- Tier 2 is mental health prevention: supports for students who might be at greater risk for mental health problems (good for some)
- Tier 3 is mental health intervention: services for students who experience mental health problems (good for few); interventions
- Student Services is in the process of hiring an additional permanent full-time social worker for Centre Hastings Secondary School. Each secondary school will have one social worker
- Social workers provide Tier 3 therapeutic support to students in secondary schools; in addition to providing therapy, they respond to crisis, trauma and suicide intervention situations
- There were 149 Tier 3 files open in December, 86 crisis, trauma, and suicide intervention responses in December, with the primary reasons for referrals being anxiety, grief, and depression
Child and youth worker update
- Child and youth workers have been redistributed in Belleville enabling service at Prince Charles School, Prince of Wales Public School, Queen Elizabeth School and Queen Victoria School
- Supports have also been redistributed in the Centre Hastings and North Hastings school groups
- CYWs continue to support Tier 1 and Tier 2 initiatives using evidence-based classroom programs, small groups, targeted intervention, crisis response and community connections in support of social skills, emotional regulation, improved attendance and positive mental health
2020 Kindergarten promotion
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Welcoming Kindergarten students and families into HPEDSB schools is one of the first steps in developing a long term partnership with parents, guardians and students and creating a sense of belonging
- Kindergarten Orientation at schools will take place in the spring, between March 23 and May 29
- Elementary schools will invite Kindergarten students and families to visit the school to:
- learn about the Kindergarten program
- interact with educators and others within the school community
- interact with community partners who may be a part of their child's early years and who can support in accessing services within the community
- Promotions for Kindergarten were re-visioned through the Communications team, introducing a new theme of "Welcome to Our Family,"a new look and branding
- Each family registering their child for Kindergarten will receive a book with a welcome message from the Director of Education printed inside the cover
- Updated promotional materials have been created with a more comprehensive and family-friendly approach
- tips on how families can be prepared for the first day of school
- sample questions parents/guardians can ask during Kindergarten orientations
- overview of the Kindergarten learning program, play-based inquiry, and communication with families
OPSBA Information exchange
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Participation in a meeting of directors of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA)
- An upcoming promotional campaign called "Take Your MPP to Work Day"
- An OPSBA scholarship award for a student
- A form letter circulating to trustees asking the OPSBA to take a stance on provincial negotiations
Report from trustees
Highlights from this report included the following:
- A proposal for the Board of Trustees to write a letter to the provincial government about e-Learning courses
- The next Trustee Retreat is April 17 and 18, 2020 at Wesley Acres in Prince Edward County
Parent Involvement Committee update
Highlights from this report included the following:
- A written summary of public Board meetings from October 2019 to January 2020 and from the October 2019 Parent Involvement Committee meeting
- Planning is underway for an event in the spring hosted by the Parent Involvement Committee and student trustees
Ontario Student Trustees' Association Conference update
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Participation in the above-noted conference in Ottawa this past weekend; more will be shared at a next meeting
Upcoming meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Monday, March 2: Executive Committee, 1:00 p.m.
- Monday, March 9: Public Committee of the Whole, 6:00 p.m.
- Monday, March 23: Public Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 26: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Manager, extension 62354, [email protected]