Upper Grand District School Board
Program Committee
Minutes
March 4, 2014
The Program Committee of Upper Grand District School Board met on Tuesday, March 4,
2014, in the Boardroom at 500 Victoria Road North, Guelph, commencing at 7:00 p.m.
The Chairperson Trustee Topping presided, and the following Trustees were present:
Borden, Cooper, Fairbairn, Gohn, Moziar, Schieck, and Waterston together with student
Trustee Kaitlin Brown. Also in attendance were Director of Education Dr. M. C. Rogers,
Communications Officer McFadzen, Administrative Officer Weidmark, Student Success
Lead Zen, and Superintendents Benallick, Lindsay, McDonald, Morrell, Slater, and Talbot.
Agenda
Trustee Schieck moved that the Agenda be approved as printed.
The motion carried.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
Approval of Minutes
Trustee Waterston moved that the minutes of the meeting held on February 4,
2014, be approved as printed.
The motion carried.
2013 Innovative Management Gold Award from The Institute of Public
Administration of Canada
Student Success Lead Zen, together with Trustee Fairbairn presented Charles Benyair,
the Board's Specialized High Skills Major (SHSM) Lead, with the 2013 Innovative
Management Gold Award from The Institute of Public Administration of Canada. The
IPAC award celebrates innovation by encouraging and recognizing people for creative
and effective ways of doing things. SHSM is a program that allows high school students
with a career path in mind to pursue their interest and acquire on-the-job experience.
Under Benyair's leadership the SHSM program at Upper Grand has become one of the
most successful in the province, with over 27% of Grade 11 and 12 students enrolled in
75 programs. Trustees congratulated Mr. Benyair.
Program Committee Minutes
March 4, 2014
Report from Student Trustees
Student Trustee Brown provided an update on activities for the month of February which
included various high school visits. She shared comments received from students, and
observations they made at each school. Trustee Brown provided an update on the
upcoming conference that they were planning. She noted that the goal of the
conference was to bring mental health and environmental issues together in an attempt
to understand the meaning of global citizenship. Trustees expressed their thanks for
the hard work in planning the conference.
Recommendation # 1
Trustee Schieck moved that the verbal report from Student Trustees be received.
The motion carried.
Student Success Showcase
Student Success Lead Zen advised that he, together with staff and students were in
attendance to showcase the many things happening at UGDSB in support of student
success. He expressed his thanks to the heroes in the system; Heather Walker,
Nicholas Waterfield, Ron Aimola, Charles Benyair, Louise Coffey, Susan McPhedran,
and Chad Reay.
Curriculum Leader for Student Success Lisa Sandvido introduced staff on the team as
well as the students from Rickson Ridge PS showcasing their “Ministry Students as
Researchers” project. The students did a presentation with a message that it is OK to
be different. Their goal is to create more acceptable school and community
environments.
Nicholas Waterfield from Norwell shared his Alternative Education Programming at
Norwell, which integrates fitness into the classroom, and encourages competition both
for individual physical goals as well as competition with other classmates. He shared a
video of students in the program, and reported how successful this program is.
The School to Career Team shared their success stories and pride of their programs
through students in attendance who shared their experiences. The students made
choices for successful pathways and benefited from opportunities as they moved
through and beyond their high school years. In grades 9 – 12, students have many
opportunities to explore choices in high school, and have the opportunity to test career
choices through work placements, earn dual credits through co-op work, and the end
result is success in high school and beyond.
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Program Committee Minutes
March 4, 2014
Trustees thanked staff and students for the awesome presentations. Appreciation was
expressed for the strong support for students, wonderful opportunities for students
working towards a trades career, and for keeping our students engaged and motivated.
Recommendation # 2
Trustee Cooper moved that the verbal report on Rickson Ridge PS “Ministry
Students As Researchers” be received.
The motion carried.
Recommendation # 3
Trustee Cooper moved that the verbal report on Alternative Education
Programming at Norwell DSS be received.
The motion carried.
Recommendation # 4
Trustee Cooper moved that the verbal report on UGDSB Pathways Team,
Grades 7 to 12 – 2012 – 2013 Student Success Pathways Programming be
received.
The motion carried.
OPSBA Report
Trustee Fairbairn provided an update from OPSBA. He advised that along with
UGDSB, most Boards endorsed the Charter of Commitment on FNMI, and many
students were self-identifying. He reminded Trustees of the upcoming Children and
Youth Mental Health conference scheduled for April 3rd and 4th, 2014. He further
advised of a symposium planned May 1, 2014 on the initiative Hubs for children,
parents and youth.
Recommendation # 5
Trustee Schieck moved that the verbal OPSBA report be received.
The motion carried.
Other Business
Trustee Budget
Trustee Cooper shared a document 2014-2015 Trustee Budget Request, which was
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Program Committee Minutes
March 4, 2014
developed at the Chairs meeting earlier in the evening.
Recommendation # 6
Trustee Schieck moved that the 2014-2015 Trustee Budget Request, dated March
4, 2014 be received.
The motion carried.
Learning Choices Committee
Director Rogers suggested that through the learning choices committee, a framework or
umbrella be established as a process and tool for people to bring forward suggestions
for alternative education programs for our board. She suggested that the Board
consider that three Trustees be named on that committee representing all geographical
areas, and if Trustees agreed, the Trustees would be named at the March Board
meeting.
Recommendation # 7
Trustee Schieck moved that the Board give consideration that three Trustees, one
representing each geographical area, be appointed to the Learning Choices
Committee.
The motion carried.
Adjournment
Trustee Schieck moved that this Committee adjourn at 9:15 p.m. to report to the
Board.
The motion carried.
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