This update provides a summary of the meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, October 28, 2013 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in November 2013.
Report from Committee of the Whole
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Dixon Drive access to the Queen Elizabeth Public School (Trenton) property;
- Bancroft Public School surplus property; and
- probationary status of new teachers.
Presentation: Whole-school approach to restorative practices at Earl Prentice Public School
Superintendent of Education Cathy Portt introduced Shelley Steele, Safe Schools Supervisor, and staff from Earl Prentice Public School. Each talked about the restorative practices approach being used at EPPS. The journey began one year ago when all school staff-teaching and support staff alike-were trained in the restorative practices approach to resolving conflict. A video to illustrate students' and staff feelings and thoughts about restorative practices was shown.
Thank you to the Earl Prentice Public School presenters: Heather McMaster, Principal; Jason Carman, Teacher; Katie Hunt, Teacher; Jeannette Robertson, Educational Assistant; Heidi Smith, Teacher and Janice Storms, Educational Assistant.
Recommendations
Multi-year Accessibility Plan for 2013 to 2018
Board members approved the Multi-year Accessibility Plan for 2013 to 2018. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) (AODA) and the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2001) (ODA) require school boards to prepare annual plans to address barriers to persons with disabilities. The plan has had several revisions since it was first published in 2005 and is accessible by link on the HPEDSB website. Link to the Accessibility web page
Capital priority business cases
Board members approved the submission of three capital priority business cases to the Ministry of Education. The following is a summary; full details are available in the report.
Priority 1: Funding to construct a new Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 replacement school on the Queen Elizabeth Public School site in Trenton. The planned opening is for the 2015-2016 school year. The request is for $13.3 million in funding for a consolidated replacement school to accommodate 558 students.
Priority 2: Funding to construct a new Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 replacement school on the Marmora Senior Public School site. The planned opening is for the 2015-2016 school year. The request is for $8.1 million in funding to demolish the existing Marmora Senior Public School and to construct a new school to accommodate 313 students.
Priority 3: Funding to construct a new Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 replacement school on the Bayside Public School site in Quinte West. The planned opening is for the 2016-2017 school year. The request is for $8.8 million in funding for a replacement school to accommodate 380 students. This request includes funding to demolish the two existing buildings on the site, which are Bayside Public School and the Annex.
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events are scheduled for the remainder of October and November 2013.
Upcoming events include the following:
- Wednesday, October 30: Academic Awards Night, Moira Secondary School, 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, November 7: iLead Leadership Session #1, Education Centre, 4:30 p.m.
- Monday, November 11: Remembrance Day assemblies at various schools
- Monday, November 18: Official opening ceremony at Stirling Public School, 2:00 p.m.
- Week of November 18: Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week
- Wednesday, November 20: Bullying awareness presentation by Michael Eisen, Moira Secondary School, 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, November 28: Official opening ceremony at Tweed Elementary School, 2:00 p.m. (tentative)
Report from the Chair of the Board
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Participation in the Ministry of Education "Great to Excellent" consultations about the future of education in Ontario.
- The Chair of the Board read a statement in recognition of the opening of Stirling Public School and
- Tweed Elementary School, and acknowledging employees who were involved in building these new schools. Appreciation of the Stirling and Tweed communities and the patience and support of families was made. The home-school connection is an important part of students feeling safe, welcome and included at school.
Report from the Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Review of the capital priority business submissions.
- Review of the Annual Accessibility Plan.
- Review of the rate of reimbursement for automobile mileage.
- Correspondence from the City of Belleville about an easement request.
- Review of trustee expense accounts.
Report from the Program and Human Resources Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Review of a promotional video for the school climate surveys.
- Review of student achievement data through the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA).
- Textbooks and novels to review for use in classrooms.
- Student trustees' involvement in the Ministry of Education "Great to Excellent" consultations.
Report from Student Trustees
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Participation in the Ministry of Education "Great to Excellent" consultations about the future of education in Ontario. Student senators from each secondary school asked for input from their fellow students on seven questions posed by the Ministry of Education The student trustees compiled the feedback into a report which was presented at the session.
Reports from Trustees
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Participation in the Parent Involvement Committee Annual General Meeting and Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) last week.
- Attendance at a training session on the topics of using technology in the classroom and to increase student independence.
- Brief report on Bill 122: School Boards' Collective Bargaining Act, 2013.
Going to soccer and rugby tournaments in Trenton. Trustees also commended sports coaches for volunteering their time. Congratulations to North Hastings for winning COSSA.
Upcoming public meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Monday, November 4: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
- Monday, November 11: Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- Monday, November 11: Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
- Monday, November 18: Board Meeting, Stirling Public School, 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 20: Parent Involvement Committee, 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, November 28: Special Education Advisory Committee, Quinte Secondary School, 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 2354, [email protected]