This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, April 27, 2015 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in May 2015.
Character moment: Deseronto Public School, 'Burp it On'Challenge
Superintendent Mark Fisher commented about the effect of positive mental and physical health in creating conditions for learning. Deseronto Public School has a vibrant, positive climate, as evidenced by the 'Burp it On'Challenge that was presented at this meeting. Principal Derek Potts introduced Teacher Jason Lloyd and students from his Grade 5/6 class: Colton, Mason, Harley, Lee Zack, Jonathan, Hanna and Brittney. Mr. Potts also recognized Mr. Lloyd as being a role model for students, as evidenced, in particular, by his recent completion of the Boston Marathon.
The Grade 5/6 students described their research about children's physical (in)activity and shared current statistics about children's activity levels. Earlier this year, the class launched the 'Burp it On'Challenge. It involves doing 50 burpees, 100 jumping jacks, 3 minutes of wall-sits and 15 minutes of running/jogging/jumping in one week. The challenge is then to 'burp it on'to another class.
To promote the 'Burp it On'Challenge, the class created a website, Twitter feed, video and posters, all of which have received tremendous publicity. As of today, the participation levels are as follows: 226 schools/organizations on 6 continents, 23 countries, 7 provinces and 33 states, all representing 11,000 students (both children and adults). Participating countries include Canada, the United States, Australia, Dubai, England, Mongolia and Scotland, to name just a few!
Congratulations to Mr. Lloyd and his students on the tremendous international success of the 'Burp it On'Challenge!
Report from Committee of the Whole
This report included the following:
- New Board member for Southeast Hastings
Welcome to new Board member Justin Bray
Chair Dwayne Inch welcomed new Board member Justin Bray who will represent Southeast Hastings. Mr. Bray was selected through an interview process which resulted from the passing of Trustee Larry Whitfield in February 2015. Mr. Bray has lived in the Tweed community since 1978. He was elected to municipal council in 2006 and served two consecutive terms.
Mr. Bray expressed appreciation to the Board for putting their trust in him as he takes on the learning curve of his new role as a school board trustee.
Recommendations
Filling vacancies on committees
At the initial meeting of the Board held on December 1, 2014, elections were held for positions on standing, statutory legislative committees of the Board and representatives were appointed to administrative committees. During that meeting Trustee Larry Whitfield was elected as the 5th member of the Executive Committee, vice-chair of the Program and Human Resources Committee, and was appointed as the representative on the Safe Schools Advisory Committee.
With the passing the Trustee Larry Whitfield in February 2015, those positions have been left vacant. To fill the committee vacancies for the remainder of the period ending December 7, 2015, trustees can volunteer to sit on the committees. Where there is more than one volunteer, there will be an election for the positions on the Executive and Program and Human Resources Committees and appointment of the representative on the Safe Schools Advisory Committee, as per Board Policy No. 2 Governance By-Laws and Standing Rules.
Board members approved Trustee Tom Biniaris as the 5th member on the Executive Committee, Trustee Jim Williams as vice-chair of the Program and Human Resources Committee, and Trustee Justin Bray as the representative on the Safe Schools Advisory Committee.
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events (PDF) are scheduled for the remainder of April and into May 2015.
Upcoming events include the following:
- Thursday, April 30: Student Benefit Auction at Avaya in Belleville. Tickets are $20 for this most worthwhile event where funds raised go directly to support Food for Learning. The event is from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.
- Pedal for Hope at various schools during April and May.
- Education Week: May 4 - 8.
- Music Monday: Monday, May 4.
- Celebration of Dance: Wednesday, May 5, Belleville Fairgrounds and various elementary schools.
Report from Executive Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Filling the trustee vacancy.
- Establishing a date for a planning session on June 15 at the Kirk Innovation Lab.
Report from Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Capital priority case update, when it was announced the Marmora Senior Public School request was not approved.
Report from Program and Human Resources Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Pathways update, as connected to the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA).
- The presentation featured demonstrations of My Blueprint for students in Grades 7 - 12 to track their learning journey and to plan for their future at high school and beyond.
- New web page, Twitter feed and practical, user-friendly resources available through School Climate and Student Well-Being Services.
Reports from staff
Board prayer
Earlier in April, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on the recitation of a prayer before public meetings. The Court found that "the recitation of the prayer at the council's meetings was above all else a use by the council of public powers to manifest and profess one religion to the exclusion of all others". The Court made the following statement, "The pursuit of the ideal of a free and democratic society requires the state to encourage everyone to participate freely in public life regardless of their beliefs." Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board is committed to following legal processes and we have been advised by legal counsel that continuation of the current Board prayer would not be compliant with the ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada.
As part of the regular cycle of policy review, revisions to Board Policy No. 2: Governance By-Laws and Standing Rules, Section 4.6 Public Session, to reflect a change in wording on the public agenda, will be brought forward to trustees for consideration in September.
Until further notice, a change in practice will be in place. At the opening of Board meetings the Chair will invite all participants to stand and take part in a moment of silent personal reflection.
School administrator placements for the 2015-2016 school year
Each year Human Resources Support Services works through a process to identify school administrators for elementary and secondary schools. Changes are related to retirements, leaves or growth opportunities. Information regarding assignments for the 2015-2016 school year will be released on Tuesday, April 28, 2015.
Update on the new Trenton elementary school
Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board is excited about the facility renewal advancements being made to create outstanding learning environments in our district. The new Trenton elementary school will bring together students from Breadner Elementary School, College Street Public School and Queen Elizabeth Public School.
The new Trenton elementary school will be built on the exact location of the existing Queen Elizabeth Public School. In order for that to happen, Queen Elizabeth Public School will close as of June 30, 2015. The school will be demolished during July and August 2015. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2015. The proposed opening date for the new Trenton elementary school is January 2017.
PLANS FOR SCHOOL START-UP IN SEPTEMBER 2015
The following changes will be in place for September 2015.
- QUEEN ELIZABETH PUBLIC SCHOOL Will close at the end of June 2015. Students will move to Breadner Elementary School from September 2015 to January 2017. Students will then move to the new Trenton elementary school in January 2017.
- BREADNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Students will remain at Breadner. Students will move to the new Trenton elementary school in January 2017. In the meantime, Breadner will welcome all students from Queen Elizabeth Public School in September.
- NORTH TRENTON PUBLIC SCHOOL Will become a K - Grade 5 school in September 2015, then a K - Grade 6 school in September 2016. Students going into Grade 7 will move to the new Trenton elementary school in September 2017.
- V.P. CARSWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Will become a K - 8 school during construction. Intermediate students will move to the new Trenton elementary school in September 2017.
- COLLEGE STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL No changes. Students will move to the new Trenton elementary school in January 2017.
- PRINCE CHARLES PUBLIC SCHOOL Is not affected by the new school build.
- TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL Although the high school is not affected by the new school build, Trenton High will continue to welcome all Grade 8 students who are going into Grade 9.
A community information meeting to share design plans for the new Trenton elementary school will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth Public School, 16 Sillers Avenue, Trenton.
Regular updates will be shared through school newsletters, Synrevoice (voicemail), the school board website (www.HPEschools.ca) and Twitter (@HPEschools).
Trustee reports
Highlights from these reports included the following:
- Attendance at an outstanding performance of "Alladin Junior" by Bayside Public School students.
- Election of new student trustees for the 2015-2016 school year; they will be introduced at next month's Board meeting.
- Attendance at student art shows at the Belleville Public Library.
- Success of Prom Project again this year!
Upcoming meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Wednesday, April 29: Parent Involvement Committee, 6:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 4: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
- Monday, May 11: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 11: Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 11: Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 25: Public Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 2354, [email protected]