UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
MINUTES
2012 10 02
The Program Committee of Upper Grand District School Board met on Tuesday,
October 2, 2012, in the Boardroom at 500 Victoria Road North, Guelph, commencing at 7:00
p.m.
Trustee Moziar presided, and the following Trustees were present: Bailey, Borden,
Busuttil, Cooper, Fairbairn, Gohn, Schieck, Topping, Waterston and Student Trustees Brown
and Sampson. Present from administration was Executive Officer of Human Resources J.
Rose and Administrative Officer M. Weidmark, along with Superintendents Benallick, Kelly,
McDonald, Morrell, and Talbot, and Assistant Superintendent Zen.
AGENDA
Trustee Waterston moved that the Agenda be approved as printed.
The motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Topping moved that the Minutes of the Meeting held on June 5, 2012 be
approved as printed.
The motion carried.
STAFF REPORT ON BULLYING PREVENTION
A PowerPoint presentation regarding Safe, Equitable, and Inclusive Schools was
presented by Superintendent McDonald. Further to a Board Meeting recommendation, this
report details requirements and policies within the Board and its schools around Bullying
Prevention and how it is monitored throughout the system. Changes to current Bullying
Prevention policies, due to Bill 13 – The Accepting Schools Act, will require mandatory Bullying
Prevention and Intervention Plans for all schools. The Equity-embedded plans are reviewed
annually with Superintendents. Mr. McDonald referred to the attached “School Bullying
Prevention Plan and Safe, Equitable and Inclusive School Strategy” form that must be posted
each September to all school websites. Also highlighted were the “Annual Reporting
Template” and accompanying Principals/Vice Principals “Superintendent Fall Visit” checklist.
A Safe, Equitable, and Inclusive Schools Advisory Committee has been formed for
communication, compliance, and accountability purposes. Statistics from the grades 7-12
School Climate Survey were shared and reflected board percentages and national averages
relating to where students have reported bullying, where students say they are being targeted
and how students feel about being engaged in their schools. Other data revealed the parents’
perception of how bullying is addressed in the schools and the communication of programs
and policies in place in the schools.
Program Committee Minutes … Page 2
12 10 02
Next steps include policy and program reviews, school-wide training and in-services,
updates to current resources, and Committee structure reviews. School-wide training is
scheduled for November 28, 2012.
Recommendation #1:
Trustee Waterston moved that this Committee recommend to the Board that the
report entitled, “Safe, Equitable, and Inclusive Schools, 2012/2013”, be received.
The motion carried.
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS AT THE UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL
BOARD – YEAR 2 PROVINCIAL IMPLEMENTATION
Special Education Coordinator/Collaborative Projects Lead Sandra Szpular provided
an update on services and supports within Upper Grand. Ministry support has led to
funding for additional mental health workers in the schools. Dr. Lynn Woodford, Manager of
Mental Health/Addiction Programs and Services, and Rebecca Mantynen, Client Services
Manager for Community Care Access Centre were introduced. Ms. Szpular referred to the
attached document entitled, “Supporting Mental Wellness at UGDSB” and reviewed areas to
implement, initiatives in process, and resources and supports through PowerPoint
presentation. An “Overview of the Three-Year Strategy” revealed the vision, themes,
indicators, and initiatives. Upper Grand is optimistic they will be selected as a service
collaborative. A shared approach to services was outlined in the document entitled,
“Collaborative Agreements between UGDSB and Community Agencies”. With 4 currently in
place, and another two anticipated this year, the Agreement provides short and long term
services, specific to individual student need, within Dufferin and Wellington counties.
Dr. Woodford advised that, in her new role within the Board, she intends to create a
coherent vision for the Mental Health and Addictions programs and services, promote
mental well-being, educate the prevention of mental health and addictions issues, and
collaboratively, with the Board and community partners, provide education and timely and
effective supports. Ms. Mantynen informed the Committee she will oversee 8 new Mental
Health and Addiction Nurses (MHAN) within Waterloo-Wellington school boards. Three of
the nurses will work with Upper Grand District School Board and Wellington Catholic District
School Board. An overview of the MHAN Program was displayed. A chart of the 3 phases
of implementation was displayed. The first priority will be on supporting students
transitioning from mental health treatment in hospitals including support with medication
issues.
Recommendation #2:
Trustee Bailey moved that this Committee recommend to the Board that the report
entitled, “Mental Health and Addictions at the Upper Grand District School Board –
Year 2 Provincial Implementation”, be received.
The motion carried.
Program Committee Minutes … Page 3
12 10 02
OPSBA REPORT
Trustee Busuttil highlighted the distributed September, 2012 OPSBA Board of
Directors Meeting report and referred to the attached Program Outline for the Summit on
Children and Youth Mental Health, to be held October 25-26, 2012.
Recommendation #3:
Trustee Schieck moved that this Committee recommend to the Board that the report
entitled, “September 2012 OPSBA Board of Directors Meeting”, dated October 2,
2012, be received.
The motion carried.
REPORT FROM STUDENT TRUSTEES
Student Trustees Kaitlin Brown and Emileigh Sampson provided a slide show of
events that have taken place to this point in the new school year. Future Student Senate
meetings will include plans for student spirit days.
Recommendation #4:
Trustee Schieck moved that this Committee recommend to the Board that the
Student Trustee Report be received.
The motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Trustee Borden advised of a Ministry webcast regarding the implementation of the
Putting Students First Act, to be held October 3, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Trustees Bailey, Busuttil,
Moziar, and Waterston agreed to participate.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Waterston moved that this Committee adjourn at 8:40 p.m. to report to the
Board.
The motion carried.
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