This update provides a summary of the online public meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held May 25, 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 June.
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 Lisa Anne Chatten, Trustee, Belleville/Thurlow, asked all to reflect on Responsibility: We have a sense of duty to fulfill commitments. We take ownership for our own thoughts and actions. We are reliable and accountable in our words and actions.
Recommendations
2021-2022 Student trustees
Board members approved three student trustees effective August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022. Congratulations to new student trustee Lawson Hung, Trenton High School; and reappointed student trustees Moira Gaddes, Eastside Secondary School and Kiydan Zachariah, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute. Find out more on page 10 of the May 25, 2021 agenda.
New name for Centre Hastings Secondary School
Board members approved the name Central Hastings School for the consolidated K-12 school located on the existing Centre Hastings Secondary School site, effective September 2021. Find out more starting on page 11 of the May 25, 2021 agenda.
Audit Committee membership
Board members approved the appointment of James Edmonds to the Audit Committee for a three-year term effective June 1, 2021. Find out more on page 13 of the May 25, 2021 agenda.
Review of policies 1, 3, 3A, 3B and 3J
Board members approved revisions to policies 1, 3, 3A, 3B and 3J. Find out more on page 14 of the May 25, 2021 agenda.
Information
Policy 19: Board Improvement Plan Mid-year Report
Student achievement and well-being are priority areas for improvement planning and actions. The Board Improvement Plan (BIP) connects to the strategic plan to create alignment between the goals and actions. A BIP goal is to empower each school to effectively program to meet the needs of all students by refining system level support through an integrative and responsive service model. Building the pedagogical capacity of educators leads to growth in student achievement. The BIP mid-year report summarizes several highlights about achieving positive outcomes for students.
Thank you to guest presenters Steve McFadden, Principal, Marmora Public School; Andrew Ross, Principal, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute; and Bessie Stelatos, System Lead. Find out more on page 29 of the May 25, 2021 agenda.
Math destreaming
This presentation highlighted the new approach in Ontario to offering Grade 9 Math to students, which is discontinue routing students through either the Applied pathway or the Academic pathway. This is known as destreaming.
Key points highlighted included the following:
- all students benefit when they learn together with students of diverse abilities and interests;
- school systems that do not stream students see higher levels of student achievement for all students; and
- at HPEDSB, 25% more students are in the Applied stream as compared to the provincial average.
Thank you to guest presenters Dayna Scaletta, Principal, Centre Hastings Secondary School and Dave Lanovaz, Teacher, Trenton High School, for sharing their experiences in planning for the new Math curriculum.
Reports from committees and trustees
Report from student trustees
Highlights of this report included the following:
- discussions with the director and staff about online learning and planning for September;
- reviewing applications for the new student trustee; and
- (from new student trustee Lawson Hung) feeling excited about being selected.
Report from the Parent Involvement Committee, May 17, 2021
Highlights of this report included the following:
- recognition of regular meetings of this committee as compared to the rest of the province; and
- specifics from the above-noted meeting. Find out more starting on page 32 of the May 25, 2021 agenda.
Report from the Trustee Policy Review Working Group, May 18, 2021
Highlights of this report included the following:
- a brief mention of the next policies to be reviewed.
Report from the QSS Revitalization Ad Hoc Committee, May 5 and 19, 2021
Highlights of this report included the following:
- updates about the four sub-committees: French Immersion, Adult Education, enrolment challenges and amalgamating administrative offices at the site;
- presentation from Tri-Board Student Transportation Services; and
- results from a public survey asking for input related to the sub-committees.
Report from the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee, April 22 and May 20, 2021
Highlights of this report included the following:
- mention of the committee terms of reference;
- the new reach-ahead Indigenous summer program for students going into high school;
- funding to support Indigenous programs; and
- asking students about what they feel will help them learn and be connected to school.
OPSBA Information Exchange
Highlights of this report included the following:
- Lisa Anne Chatten, Trustee, Belleville/Thurlow was re-elected as the OPSBA Board of Director’s representative for HPEDSB; and Alison Kelly, Trustee, South Prince Edward County was re-elected as the alternate, for the period May 2021 to May 2022.
Recognition of Jackie Waller, Principal, Trenton High School
- Last week, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education and Todd Smith, MPP, visited Trenton High School, online, and met with two classes of students with special needs.
- Thank you to Jackie Waller, Principal and staff for hosting the visit, and to the students for engaging in conversation and showing off their artwork.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Manager, extension 62354, [email protected]