This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in May 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 Lisa Anne Chatten, Trustee, Belleville/Thurlow, asked all to reflect on Respect: We value ourselves, others and our environment. We give consideration to the thoughts and actions of others. We treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves, with courtesy and dignity.
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Presentation
Achieving Excellence & Equity: K-12 Focus on Literacy
This was an engaging visual presentation describing innovative approaches to teaching and learning literacy at elementary and secondary schools. Superintendents Ken Dostaler and Tina Elliott began by commenting on the educational leaders who empower students to be confident readers and writers. Superintendent Dostaler introduced system leads Rob McFadden and Heather McMaster who then introduced four teachers from elementary and secondary schools. The teachers described their approach to teaching literacy and how being a reader and a writer is life changing for students.
The presenters described three intervention tools being used in elementary classrooms:
- Lexia which is an online intervention for students who struggle with literacy acquisition. Student testimonials about Lexia: ". . . we do different stuff, spell,learn, letters, learn bigger letters," by Scarlett. "It's the best! It's helping me learn new words and read sentences," by Parker. "My favourite part is when you move up a level," by Veronica.
- Leveled Literacy Intervention is done with small groups of Primary students with a teacher. Student testimonial about LLI: "I learn new words," by Kolby.
- Empower Reading is for older students in Grades 3, 4, 5 or 6 done in small groups outside the classroom. Student testimonial about Empower Reading: "It's made me move up 6 reading levels! I can figure out words I don't know and I can read them this quick," (snaps fingers) by Eli.
The presenters described the process of students as readers making meaning from text as part of their learning.
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Thank you to the classroom teachers (mixed in the group) who presented: Kate Apperley, North Hastings High School; Jeanette Henderson, Sophiasburgh Central School; Diana Wiles, Prince Charles School (Belleville); and Kelsey White, Trenton High School.
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They also described the process of students co-constructing criteria. One student responded to this approach by saying, "I have realized that the criteria are like a checklist for me." Another reported, "I thought I was where I was on my essay because having all those steps helped me really bump up my work."
At secondary school, the power of student lead learning addresses the 'how' and why' of literacy. The feeling of community in the class extends to other classes and throughout the school community. In one class, students reported this, "I feel like what I have to say matters," by Bella. "I used to be afraid to share in class but, I don't know, now that I've worked with everyone, they don't seem so scary," by James.
Thank you to the classroom teachers who presented: Kate Apperley, North Hastings High School; Jeanette Henderson, Sophiasburgh Central School; Diana Wiles, Prince Charles School (Belleville); and Kelsey White, Trenton High School.
Recommendations
Policy 8: Board Members' Code of Conduct
Board members approved revisions to Policy 8: Board Members' Code of Conduct, in order to be compliant with Ontario Regulation 246/18.
Educational Programs in Care and/or Treatment, Custody and Correctional Programs
Board members approved five Educational Programs in Care and/or Treatment, Custody and Correctional Programs for the 2019-2020 school year, subject to approval by the Ministry of Education.
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events (Pdf) are scheduled for the remainder of April and May 2019.
Upcoming events include the following. Please click the above link to see more as several student and family events are happening in May.
- April 24: We Are One Jazz Concert, Centennial Secondary School, 7:00 p.m.
- Until April 24: Secondary School Art Show, John M. Parrott Art Gallery, Belleville Public Library
- April 25: "Ignite the Fire" Indigenous Studies Student Symposium, Loyalist College
- May 1:
- Celebration of Dance, Zwick's Park, Lion's Pavillion, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Fun Fair, Trent River Public School, 4:30-7:00 p.m.
- May 2:
- Eco Night, Kente Public School, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
- Elementary French Immersion Arts Night, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute, 6:00 p.m.
- May 6:
- Music Monday, V.P. Carswell Elementary School, 12:00 p.m.
- Grade 4-8 Rotary Spelling Bee, Frankford Public School, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
- May 7: Family Math Night, Harry J. Clarke Public School, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Report from the Chair
Highlights from this report included the following:
- This is a busy time of year in schools, with many performances, events and awards nights happening:
- We Are One Jazz Concert
- "Ignite the Fire" Indigenous Studies Student Symposium
- Great Place Awards
- StEP UP event for elementary students, Friday, May 3, 2019
Report from the Executive Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
Report from the Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Presentation by the Facility Services team with an overview of the department
- Update on community use of schools through the permit-booking process
Report from the Program and Human Resources Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Overview of the Curriculum Services team
Notice of Motion regarding 2018-2019 Board policy review
Notice of motion was given that amendments to the following four policies will be on the agenda for the May 2019 meeting:
- Policy 1: Board Vision, Mission and Priorities
- Policy 2: Governance By-Laws and Standing Rules
- Policy 3-D: Board Communications and Media
- Policy No. 11-D: Executive Committee
Reports from trustees
- A brief update from the Director's Selection Committee, which met in closed session. The committee selected Phelpsgroup to conduct the search for a new director of education at a cost of $45,000
- Attendance at a provincial meeting called the Ontario Public School Boards' Association Advocacy Day, with MPs and MPPs, about various education issues, including Indigenous education
- Attendance at a regional meeting of the Eastern Region of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association, where various education-related topics were discussed
Correspondence
- Letter to the Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minster of Education from HPEDSB
- Letter received from Waterloo Regional District School Board
- Letter received from Toronto District School Board
- Letter received from Rainbow District School Board
- Letter received from Peel District School Board
- Letter received from Bluewater District School Board
Upcoming meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Wednesday, May 1: Director's Selection Committee, 3:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 6: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
- Monday, May 13:
- Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 15: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, May 23: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:30 p.m. (make-up meeting for the one cancelled in February)
- Monday, May 27:
- Budget Committee, 3:30 p.m.
- Public Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 62354, [email protected]