Upper Grand District School Board
Program Committee
Minutes
February 3, 2015
The Program Committee of Upper Grand District School Board met on Tuesday, February
3, 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:
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, Communications Officer McFadzen, Administrative Officer Weidmark, Student
Success Lead Zen, and Superintendents Lindsay, McDonald, Slater, and Wright.
Agenda
Trustee Schieck 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 Fairbairn moved that the minutes of the meeting held on January 6, 2015
be approved as printed.
The motion carried.
Delegation – Edward Johnson PS, Maureen Oesch
On behalf of parents in the Edward Johnson PS community, Maureen Oesch, delegated
in support of Option 5 as outlined in the Interim move of Edward Johnson PS students
report. She shared benefits and concerns relating to this option.
Mental Health Update from Student Trustees
Student Trustees Dylan Challinor and Guthrie Woodford highlighted mental health
initiatives organized throughout the secondary schools. Some of the initiatives included
first period anxiety classes organized to provide a safe and relaxed environment for
students, gay straight alliance, teen clinics, professional development day on mental
Program Committee Minutes
February 3, 2015
health awareness, mental health committee, messages for hope, de-stress and carry
on, cope classes, link crew, mental health week, safe talk, transgender awareness
event, Bell let’s talk campaign, Gloww workshops, and bulletin boards promoting mental
health awareness. The student Trustees reported that the OSTA-AECO BC conference
is planned for February 26th – March 1st and will be held in Ottawa. Both Dylan and
Guthrie plan to attend.
Recommendation # 1
Trustee Schieck moved that the mental health update from student Trustees be
received.
The motion carried.
Presentation on Social Media
Angi Roberts, University of Guelph, provided an in-depth presentation on social media.
She advised that social media is present and will continue in the future, and has many
great benefits, but cautioned that many sites can also be used to deliberately post
damaging comments or images. She noted that students need to be taught that
although social medial sites boast anonymity or privacy, information is not private and
once posted, can never be retrieved, and can be traced. Consent, respectful
communication, potential damages to oneself or others, online identity, online
appropriate behaviour, and being aware that online spaces are public spaces, are
important aspects to consider when using social media. Ms. Roberts cautioned about
the various sites, and their prime purpose and their target audience. Some of the sites
she touched upon included Tumbler, Keek, Imgur, Kik, Ask.fm, Whisper, 4chan,
Snapchat, and YikYak. In order to obtain further information, Ms. Roberts shared the
following resources: commonsensemedia.org, mediasmarts.ca, getcybersafe.gc.ca,
and Google. In conclusion Ms. Roberts noted that although there are dangers involved
with social media, if used properly, it can be a wonderful tool for learning, sharing,
communication, and employment. Trustees expressed their thanks for a wonderful
presentation.
Recommendation # 2
Trustee Topping moved that the presentation on Social Media be received.
The motion carried.
Trustee Workshop – Special Education
Superintendent Lindsay, together with members of the Special Education team provided
an overview of the Special Education Department, including the department
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Program Committee Minutes
February 3, 2015
composition, its philosophy of education, and the many supports available to students.
The Special Education Department have itinerant staff who travel between schools to
work with individual students, makes recommendations about programming, determines
strategies and resources for students with all types of special needs, works with school
staff, submits claims for specialized equipment, submits requests for Special Incident
Portion funding (SIP), and works very closely with school staff, students and parents, as
required. The department focuses on early interventions, the philosophy that all
students can learn, each student has a unique ability, individuality, learning styles, pace
of learning, student success, student transitions, parental awareness of available
programs, communication, and determining what is best for each student. Programming
ensures student success and assists students to become independent members of the
community. Trustees were impressed by the huge undertaking of the department and
the large scope of student support available.
Recommendation # 3
Trustee Topping moved that the Special Education Workshop be received.
The motion carried.
OPSBA Report
Trustee Fairbairn provided a verbal OPSBA update. He noted that bargaining is
proceeding and that, in most cases, the central and local split has been decided.
Recommendation # 4
Trustee Cooper moved that the verbal OPSBA report be received.
The motion carried.
Adjournment
Trustee White moved that this Committee adjourn at 9:35 p.m. to report to the
Board.
The motion carried.
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