This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, April 25, 2016 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in May 2016.
Character moment: Citizenship & Making a Difference at Stirling Public School
The student body at Stirling Public School is focused on making a difference in their school community and beyond. This presentation involved students, teachers and the the school administrators. They showed two short videos, one made by a Grade 2 class, #EarthWillThankYou and the other made by a Grade 6 class, Making a Difference at Stirling Public School.
The presentation included sharing dynamic learning experiences linked to the school Community, Culture & Caring goal: the declining bee population, a winter birds inquiry, efforts to recycle batteries, a buddy bench, a Kids for Kids campaign, a clothing exchange and filling shoe boxes for the Good Samaritan's Purse.
Thank you to these special guests for presenting this evening:
- Students: Molly Aikman and Elana Claxton in Grade 2; Chris Barrett, Keeva MacArthur and Tasia Ward in Grade 6
- Teachers: Kerry Denyes and Colleen Henry for Grade 2; Lindsay Langlois for Grade 6
School administrators: Suzanne Cholasta, Principal and Annette Huizenga, Vice-principal
Report from the Committee of the Whole Board
This report included the following:
- Special meeting April 11, 2016, Ratification of Memorandum of Settlement between CUPE Local 1022 and HPEDSD
- Special meeting April 11, 2016, Ratification of Memorandum of Settlement between HAPE-OTL and HPEDSB
Recommendations
Tender for electrical work at Centennial Secondary School
Board members approved a tender in the amount of $264,000 to Industrial Electrical Contractors Limited for electrical switch gear equipment upgrades at Centennial Secondary School. The equipment is aging and has been identified as requiring upgrades both by the Ministry of Education in its assessment of the school, as well as by electrical consultants Siemens Canada. This project will be funded from the building renewal budget. The work will commence July 4, 2016, with a week shutdown of the electrical system of the school in the final week of July. The project will be completed by August 5, 2016.
Tender for roof replacement and associated work
Board members approved a tender in the amount of $2.9 million. In 2013, the board entered into contract with TSS Building Science Inc. for it to act as an expert roofing consultant to survey and determine urgent roofing needs. The roofs of all schools were surveyed by TSS and a list of urgently required replacements and repairs was developed. In the summer of 2014, nine schools received roof repairs/replacements, and in 2015, eight schools received roof repairs/replacements.
Thirteen schools are scheduled to receive roof replacements and associated work this summer, as follows:
- Amherst Roofing for roof replacements and associated work at Tyendinaga Public School
- Dafoe Roofing for roof replacements and associated work at Sir John A. Macdonald School, Centre Hastings Secondary School, Quinte Secondary School, and the W.R. Kirk building
- French Brothers Roofing for roof replacements and associated work at Coe Hill School, and North Hastings High School
- ICI Roofing Ltd. for roof replacements and associated work at Frankford Public School, Prince
- Charles Public School (Belleville), Prince of Wales Public School and Susanna Moodie Elementary School
- Semple Gooder for roof replacements and associated work at Madoc Public School and Prince Edward Collegiate Institute
2015-2016 Board Policy Review, Part B
Board members approved amendments to Policy 11G: Special Education Advisory Committee. The amendment related to committee membership.
Acknowledgement of the land of the Original Peoples
Board members approved a motion to acknowledge the Original Peoples of the land at each regular public Board meeting. The vision in the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan is: All students prepared and empowered for the possibilities of today and tomorrow. As part of the HPEDSB focus on achieving excellence and equity, and well-being, HPEDSB is committed to creating welcoming, inclusive, safe and accepting learning environments that optimize students' potential. HPEDSB believes it is important to recognize and acknowledge the history, culture and perspectives of our First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, employees and communities. Acknowledgement of the original peoples of the land has been integrated into many system level meetings. Similar acknowledgement should be part of the opening of public Board meetings.
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events (PDF) are scheduled for the remainder of April and May2016. Some upcoming events include the following:
- April 26 - 30: FNMI students to Camp des Voyages, Quyon, Quebec
- May 1 - 7: Moira Secondary School welcomes students from Tobique, N.B., YMCA Exchange
- May 2: Frankford Public School, Grade 3 trip to Air Force National Museum
- May 3: Bayside Secondary School, visit by Author E.K. Johnston
- May 4 (rain date May 5): Celebration of Dance at Quinte Fairgrounds
- May 5: Harmony Public School is hosting a clothing drive in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association
- May 10: Presentation for parents/guardians "Supporting Teens in Making Healthy Choices" at Quinte Secondary School, a partnership between HPEDSB and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
- May 11 & 12: Dracula performance for students at Centennial Secondary School
- May 19: Madoc Public School Career Fair for students
- May 19: Student Benefit Auction for Food for Learning at the Greek Banquet Hall in Belleville
- May 26: Prince Edward Collegiate Institute, Arts Night Showcase
Report from the Chair
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Approval of the 2016-2017 School Year Calendar from the Ministry of Education
- Appreciation to the people who nominated others for a Great Place Award which will be presented at the public Board meeting on Tuesday, May 24, 2016
- Reminder that the School Climate Survey is open for students and school staff until Friday, April 29, 2016 and for parents/guardians until Friday, May 6, 2016
Report from Executive Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
Report from Program and Human Resources Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Presentation by student Saab Hasseb from Moira Secondary School demonstrating the My BluePrint software
- Review of proposed French textbooks/novels for use in schools
Report from Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- the tenders mentioned above
Questions, reports and proposals from trustees
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Eastern Regional Meeting for the Ontario Public School Boards' Association hosted at Harmony Public School, with representation from Eastern Ontario school boards. Appreciation was expressed to employees who helped to organize the event: Debbie Lucas, Administrative Assistant, Director's Office; Lisa McGeachy, Vice-principal, Harmony Public School; Paul McMaster, Lead Hand Custodian, Harmony Public School, as well as Lucille Kyle, Trustee for North Hastings and Vice-chair
- Attendance at a First Nations, Metis & Inuit Symposium
- Attendance at a Mental Health Summit
Report from student trustees
Attendance at a First Nations, Metis & Inuit Student Symposium hosted at Loyalist College today
Upcoming meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Monday, May 2: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, May 4: Parent Involvement Committee event: Helping Children to Thrive, 6:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 9: Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee, 3:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 9: Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 9: Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 24: Budget Committee, 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 24: Public Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., including presentation of Great Place Awards
- Thursday, May 26 (tentative): Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 2354, [email protected]