Upper Grand District School Board
Program Committee
Minutes
April 7, 2015
The Program Committee of Upper Grand District School Board met on Tuesday, April 7,
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:
Busuttil, Fairbairn, MacNeil, Topping, and White, together with student Trustees Dylan
Challinor and Guthrie Woodford. Also in attendance were Director of Education Dr. M. C.
Rogers, Communications Officer McFadzen, Administrative Officer Weidmark, Student
Success Lead Zen, and Superintendents Lindsay, McDonald, and Slater.
Agenda
Trustee Busuttil moved that the agenda be approved as printed, with the addition
of one item to be considered In Camera.
The motion carried.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest
There were no conflicts of interest.
Approval of Minutes
Trustee Topping moved that the minutes of the meeting held on February 3,
2015, be approved as printed.
The motion carried.
Report from Student Trustees
Student Trustees Dylan Challinor and Guthrie Woodford highlighted the many activities
organized throughout the various secondary schools which included world religions
conference, coffee house, spirit week, crush cans and flowers sales, Easter bake sale
and egg hunt, inspirational speaker Ian Evans, bunny candy ke-bobs, candy grams and
roses, Paris café, spread the net, earth hour, “eracism”, food drive, Me to We elders,
GSA book talk, song grams, DECA, all arts show, nail painting fundraising, pie day
Friday, and youth empowerment. They also shared highlights of the student Trustee
conference they attended in Ottawa and noted that their future focus will continue with
Mental Health issues and Innovative Classrooms.
Program Committee Minutes
April 7, 2015
Recommendation # 1
Trustee Topping moved that the verbal report from Student Trustees be received.
The motion carried.
Mental Health Update
Manager of Mental Health/Addictions Dr. Lynn Woodford, advised that Child and Youth
Mental Health week is scheduled for May 2 – 9, 2015. The theme for this year is “Have
a Super Week” which stands for : Social connection, Uplifting emotions, Personal
health, Emotional calming, and Resilient thinking. Packages were sent to all Principals
and Vice-Principals with suggestions on activities that can be arranged for each day
during the Child and Youth Mental Health week. Dr. Woodford noted that community
partners were also organizing activities such as: Gloww; Giving Light Offers Work and
Wellness, who have scheduled a walk for May 2, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., at Exhibition
Park, and will be promoting Mental Health awareness through the distribution of
bracelets inscribed with mental health messages. DCAFS (Dufferin Child and Family
Services) will run ads in local newspapers to raise Mental Health awareness. Shed the
Light have organized school presentations throughout April and May and is hosting an
“Artistry in Mind” at Orangeville DSS on Friday, May 8, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. On May
6, 2015, Author Allison Schafer will be doing a presentation on “Honey, I Wrecked the
Kids” at Orangeville DSS. A Safe Talk is planned for UGDSB staff at the Orangeville
Board Office on May 7, 2015, 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Dr. Ross Green will be doing a
Collaborative and Proactive Solutions presentation for parents at 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 pm.,
at John F. Ross, E. L. Fox theatre, and on April 10th, he will be doing a Collaborative
and Proactive Solutions presentation at 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Hanlon Convention
Centre, in Guelph. Trustees thanked Dr. Woodford for her presentation and community
involvement with Mental Health.
Recommendation # 2
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the verbal update on Mental Health be received.
The motion carried.
Transition to University or College Programs for Students with Mental Health
Director of Counselling and Student Accessibility Services, University of Guelph, Bruno
Mancini, reported that the University of Guelph recently developed a new program
entitled “LaunchPrep”. He advised that the program is designed to assist students who
have a mental health diagnosis or a history of impairment based on a mental health
issue, to assist with the transition from high school to university or college with less
stress and anxiety. He noted that the program is comprised of two components;
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Program Committee Minutes
April 7, 2015
residential summer program and one week early admission. In order to take advantage
of the program, students must be currently completing or have recently completed their
final year of high school, be interested in pursuing post-secondary study, complete and
return the application form by the deadline, and be able to attend the entire week for the
residential portion of the program. These students will participate in an academic
session, be offered social support, attend classes, live at the University for one week,
get a lot of in-service training on learning strategies, and develop skills to assist with the
management of the particular area of mental health which affects their academics.
Social and residential needs of students will also be addressed. A similar program
exists for Learning Disabled students, and has proven to be very successful. In addition
to the one week intensive residential program, students will be allowed to attend the
University or College one week prior to moving day and a week prior to orientation day,
meet program counselors, get settled in before everyone else, resulting in a calmer
transition experience to University or College. Mr. Mancini reported that the University
of Guelph received government support and funding for these programs. It is hoped
that 20 to 30 students will be enrolled in the residential program this summer, June 28 –
July 3rd, 2015. Pamphlets were distributed. Trustees thanked Mr. Mancini for the
wonderful program and his presentation.
Recommendation # 3
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the verbal report on the “LaunchPrep” transition to
University or College programs for students with mental health be received.
The motion carried.
Trustee Workshop – Emergency Procedure Policy
Superintendent of Education Benallick and Nancy Culham (from our Health and Safety
Department) provided training for Trustees on Emergency Procedures. Copies of the
revised Policy #300 (revised in April, 2014) were distributed. A request had been made
at PMC for a presentation that would help make the connections for Trustees between
the Policy and what actually happens at the school level during an emergency. Mrs.
Benallick advised that the Handbook that will accompany the Policy is still being
developed. It will serve as a support for Principals and site supervisors when dealing
with a variety of emergencies that could occur. The workshop included a walk-through
of a potential emergency, how it may look. The process demonstrated the complexity of
such a situation and provided and opportunity for Trustees to discuss and share
thoughts regarding the implications of an emergency situation and identify concerns that
would need to be addressed.
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Program Committee Minutes
April 7, 2015
Recommendation # 4
Trustee Topping moved that the Trustee Workshop on Emergency Procedures be
received.
The motion carried.
E-Learning
Steve Wynen, Vice-Principal, Continuing Education, together with E-Learning Contact
Sean Hamilton, provided an update on E-Learning programs. The programs prepare
students for the growing use of technology including E-Learning opportunities in postsecondary establishments as well as enhancing skills for future employment. E-Learning
addresses conflicts in timetables, specialized programs, supports learner’s needs, and
makes courses available at all schools. The Upper Grand is part of the OeLC, an
E-Learning consortium with many boards across the province. Being part of this initiative
enables sharing of materials and programs to better meet the needs of all students.
According to the Education Act, students are authorized users provided that they are
registered with an Ontario publicly-funded school. Mr. Wynen reported that 4% of
secondary students are enrolled in E-Learning courses this year, and expects the numbers
to rise. Professional Development for teachers focuses on best practice assessment and
evaluation, pedagogy, effective communication and timely feedback, all through an online
lens, to ensure that students receive the best support for E-Learning. Statistics were
shared which indicated strong success rates of E-Learning programs. Next steps planned
will continue the E-Learning journey, and obtain success through reflection and sharing,
online assessment and evaluation, communication, effective use of new technologies, as
well as approved funding for the program. In view of the fact that this program is relatively
new, in depth data is not yet available to identify statistics on male, female, academic,
applied, rural, etc. However, as the program progresses, more detailed data will be
available. Trustees thanked staff for the presentation and insight into such programs.
Recommendation # 5
Trustee Busuttil moved that the verbal update on E-Learning be received.
The motion carried.
OPSBA Report
Trustee Busuttil provided a verbal OPSBA update.
Recommendation # 6
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the verbal OPSBA update be received.
The motion carried.
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Program Committee Minutes
April 7, 2015
Other Business
In Camera
Adjournment
Trustee Fairbairn moved that this Committee adjourn at 9:25 p.m. to report to the
Board.
The motion carried.
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