This update provides a summary of the online public meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held March 22, 2021, livestreamed (the recorded version will be available within 24 hours). It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next regular meeting in April.
Land acknowledgement
Mike Brant, Trustee, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, recited the land acknowledgement: Let us bring our minds and hearts together as one to honour and celebrate these traditional lands as a gathering place of the Huron-Wendat, Anishinabek and Haudenosaunee people. It is with deep humility, that we acknowledge and offer our gratitude for their contributions to our community, having respect for all as we come together and walk side by side into the future to support our students of today.
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. 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 Moira Gaddes, Student Trustee, Eastside Secondary School, asked all to reflect on Caring: We demonstrate concern for self and others. We show empathy and express genuine concerns. We consider the long term effect of our actions.
Presentation
Special Equipment Amount (SEA): Process and Assistive Technology Deployment Initiative
Providing students with technology to use for learning is a tremendous undertaking at any time and particularly during a pandemic. This presentation described what has happened in schools for all students in Grades 4-8 to have a Chromebook to use to meet their individual learning needs. Key highlights are that devices remain in classrooms rather than being moved from room-to-room or among schools; ability for staff to build sustainable best practices for teaching and learning; create a level playing field for all students to use technology rather than students with special needs feeling uncomfortable using it; and teachers being able to assess student work in ways not available when the work is only pen and paper based.
Thank you to presenters Geoff Courneya and Matt Charles, Student Services Coordinators; Tanya Whittaker, Principal and Michael McKeown, Teacher, Queen Elizabeth School; and Nathan Lumsden, Teacher, Prince Charles Public School (Trenton).
Recommendations
OSSTF/HPEDSB Tentative Collective Agreement
Board members ratified the terms of the local Collective Agreement between HPEDSB and Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation District 29 for the period September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2022.
Policy 11-A: Committee of the Whole Board
Board members approved revisions to policy 11-A: Committee of the Whole Board. Find out more starting on page 14 of the March 22, 2021 agenda (Pdf).
Appointment of QSS Ad Hoc Committee
Board members approved an updated list of names of people to participate on the QSS Ad Hoc Committee. One committee member approved earlier this month was unable to remain on the committee.
- Trustees: Kiydan Zachariah, Student Trustee, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute; Lisa-Anne Chatten, Belleville/Thurlow; Spencer Hutchison, Trenton and CFB Trenton; Krista McConnell, Belleville/Thurlow
- School staff: Anika van der Vink-Neri, Teacher, Prince Charles Public School (Trenton); Rhonda McFaul, Secretary, Park Dale School
- Union representative: Jo-Anne White, President, CUPE Local 1022
- Adult/Alternative Education Staff Member: Roger Ramsay, Curriculum Services Coordinator
- Parents of students attending French Immersion programming: Christine Herrington, Harry J. Clarke Public School; Mark Langewisch, Prince Charles Public School, Trenton; Ashley Thomson, Bayside Public School
- Community members: Kassandra Bateman; Jim Chapman
- HPEDSB Senior Staff: Kim Horrigan, Senior Manager, Facility Services; Bessie Stelatos, System Lead, French Immersion
Find out more starting on page 20 of the March 22, 2021 agenda (Pdf).
Information reports from staff
Secondary School Student Achievement Presentation
This presentation highlighted secondary school student achievement and the factors contributing to student success. It featured a comparison of credit completion rates for students in Grades 9-12 for the 2019-2020 and the 2020-2021 school years; credit accumulation rates over this and the previous two school years; evolving culture changes at schools; changes in beliefs and practices; and teamwork and co-teaching. The presenters explained the focus on the tiered approach to supporting students and how it continues to be refined.
Virtual School Planning Report
This report provided an overview of planning for a virtual school operating for the new school year starting in September 2021. The virtual school will be for JK-Grade 10. Students in Grades 11 and 12 will participate in in-person learning to be able to access greater diversity of course offerings in support of their graduation pathways. Find out more starting on page 23 of the March 22, 2021 agenda (Pdf).
Information reports from trustees
Student trustee updates
Highlights from this report included the following:
- planning for the student-led mental health event;
- student concerns about the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT); and
- student concerns navigating classes using the hybrid model where some students are in-person and some are online.
Parent Involvement Committee from March 1, 2021
Highlights from this report included the following:
- student trustees participating in the meeting and talking about mental health issues;
- different ideas for food days at schools; and
- next meeting is March 2, 2021 at 6:00 PM.
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) from February 25, 2021
Highlights from this report included the following:
- discussion at the meeting about why SEAC exists;
- school year calendar;
- communications and strategies for supports through a student's IEP; and
- vaccinations for students with special needs.
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Pathway Partnership Committee Report
Highlights from this report included the following:
- discussion with Loyalist College about pathways in the skilled trades.
Indigenous Education Advisory Committee Update from March 11, 2021
Highlights from this report included the following:
- discussions with Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and upcoming meeting dates;
- using data to make evidence-informed decisions in planning for outcomes; and
- the next meeting is April 22, 2021.
OPSBA Information Exchange
Highlights from this report included the following:
- next trustee terms begin in October 2022;
- the OPSBA Annual General Meeting is scheduled for June 12, 2021;
- the Canadian School Boards' Conference is in mid-July, 2021 and will be online; and
- the next regional meeting for Eastern Ontario school boards is in April 2021.
Questions from trustees
A question was asked about cameras on school bus arms. A question was asked about the new student information system, Aspen. A request for updates from the QSS Ad Hoc Committee to be on Board meeting agendas. Condolences to the family of Rick Locke, a former HPEDSB teacher.
Correspondence
Expression of Interest from YMCA about a child care centre at the re-purposed (former) Quinte Secondary School site.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Manager, extension 62354, [email protected]