Upper Grand District School Board
Program Committee
Minutes
January 6, 2015
The Program Committee of Upper Grand District School Board met on Tuesday, January
6, 2015, in the Boardroom at 500 Victoria Road North, Guelph, commencing at 7:00 p.m.
The Chairperson Trustee Moziar presided, and the following Trustees were present:
Bailey, Cooper, Fairbairn, Lustgarten Evoy, MacNeil, Moziar, Schieck, Topping, and
White, together with Student Trustees Dylan Challinor and Guthrie Woodford. Also in
attendance were Director of Education Dr. M. C. Rogers, Executive Officer of Human
Resources Rose, Administrative Officer Weidmark, Student Success Lead Zen, and
Superintendents Lindsay, McDonald, Morrell, Slater, Talbot, and Wright.
Agenda
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the agenda be approved as printed.
The motion carried.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest
There were no conflicts of interest.
Approval of Minutes
Trustee Bailey moved that the minutes of the meeting held on November 4, 2014
be approved as printed.
The motion carried.
Report from Student Trustees
Student Trustees Dylan Challinor and Guthrie Woodford highlighted many activities
organized throughout the various secondary schools. Environmental issues were
identified as a focus for the upcoming year. Some of the environmental initiatives
included: walk to school day, tree planting, environmental club, recycling program, ecoschool certifications, positive stigma regarding environmental concerns, “GOOS” paper
bins (good on one side), eco Christmas gifts, composting, google classrooms, green
week, litterless lunch days, greening projects, electricity audits, and promoting reusable
water bottles instead of using plastic water bottles, especially where eco friendly
fountains have been installed.
Program Committee Minutes
January 6, 2015
Some of the other activities organized included an inter-city dance, talent show,
fundraising, music night, science Olympics, frosty, livestream announcements, selfconfidence workshop, warm winter wishes event, annual Christmas dinner, chili cookoff, operation stocking stuffer, country wedding, and a senior art show. Trustees
expressed their thanks for the initiatives and activities, particularly, the promotion of
environmental projects.
Recommendation # 1
Trustee Schieck moved that the verbal report from Student Trustees be received.
The motion carried.
Mental Health Update
Manager, Mental Health/Addictions Programs and Services Lynn Woodford, introduced
Joanne Sealey, Child and Youth Counsellor for J.F. Ross CVI and Centennial CVI.
She reported that both schools had a combined PD day which focused on mental health
issues. An on-line survey was completed by staff to identify issues in the classroom,
and the PD day was planned accordingly. Major topics were identified, including
anxiety, depression, safe talk training, and bridges out of poverty. Rosita Hall finished
the day with sessions on taking care of yourself, reaching out to people with specialties,
and how to access resources available within the community. Due to the positive
response, future lunch and learn sessions covering mental health issues will be
planned. Trustees thanked both Dr. Woodford and Ms. Sealey for their continued work
on mental health awareness, education, and training.
Recommendation # 2
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the verbal Mental Health Update be received.
The motion carried.
Learning Choices
(Trustee Workshop)
On behalf of the Learning Choices Committee, Student Success Lead Zen provided an
update and overview on the Learning Choices programs and processes. He noted that
the committee developed the policy and procedures, which was approved in November
2014. The committee also developed a preliminary inventory of existing UGDSB school
based programs, created categories of learning choices programs, and developed
procedures to create and implement future learning choices program proposals from
both stakeholders and school teams. He noted that the next steps include
communication and training with Principals regarding policy and procedures,
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Program Committee Minutes
January 6, 2015
development of a support handbook, and to set and publicize dates for the learning
choices programs steering committee meetings and learning choices programs working
group for 2015. In order to sustain approved programs, it was noted that the programs
are funded by the Board, and that some programs may require application fees.
Trustees expressed their thanks and appreciation for the hard work and insight into the
learning choices programs.
Recommendation # 3
Trustee Schieck moved that the Trustee Workshop on Learning Choices be
received.
The motion carried.
Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement
(Trustee Workshop)
Principal of Program, Van Ooteghem, together with elementary curriculum staff shared
the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA) for 2014 2015. Andrew
Cloutier, Andrea Moyer, Gina Betts, Jen Apgar, and Andrea Higgins, elaborated on their
roles in schools with teachers and students. The BIPSA supports the Board’s mission
and vision statements by promoting high yield strategies for math and literacy, creation
of collaborative working environments, implementation of technology into teaching
practices to create real world learning tasks, and creation of student work study
initiatives, just to mention a few. Specialized staff provide assistance to teachers to
help identify and understand how students learn and collaboratively work with the
students to achieve positive results and develop new learning styles to meet the needs
of all students. Ms. Van Ooteghem noted that the secondary curriculum staff were not
in attendance, but their roles were similar and they work with the elementary curriculum
staff to focus on the goals of the BIPSA. Trustees were very impressed and excited
about the work done in this area and the provision of wonderful support for students.
Recommendation # 4
Trustee Lustgarten Evoy moved that the Trustee Workshop on the Board
Improvement Plan for Student Achievement be received.
The motion carried.
OPSBA Report – Nil Report
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Program Committee Minutes
January 6, 2015
Other Business
Tours of Tytler PS and Edward Johnson PS
Superintendent Slater advised that, if Trustees were interested, tours of Tytler PS and
Edward Johnson PS could be arranged on January 8, 2015. The tours would begin at
Tytler PS at 5:00 p.m. and continue to Edward Johnson PS, followed by the public
meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. to address the overcrowding at Edward Johnson PS.
Trustees indicated interest in the tours. Mr. Slater agreed to finalize the plans for the
tours, and to send floor plans and site plans to Trustees prior to the tours.
Recommendation # 5
Trustee Schieck moved that the information regarding the tours of Tytler PS and
Edward Johnson PS be received.
The motion carried.
Trustee Retreat
Trustee Bailey thanked all Trustees for providing input regarding the proposed Trustee
retreat. He advised that consensus was received for an overnight venue, and that he
was going to go ahead with the plans. Some discussion ensued regarding a concern
raised regarding overnight accommodation costs to the Board. In support of the
significant opportunity for team leadership building, and with consensus from his
colleagues, Mr. Bailey advised that he will proceed with the plans for the retreat.
Adjournment
Trustee Bailey moved that this Committee adjourn at 9:20 p.m. to report to the
Board.
The motion carried.
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