Upper Grand District School Board
Board Meeting, Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Minutes
The regular monthly meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on
Tuesday, April 22, 2014 in the Board Room at 500 Victoria Road North, Guelph, starting
at 7:00 p.m. All Trustees were present. Student Trustees Brown and Dong were also in
attendance.
Opening Prayer
Trustee Cooper read a poem by Dennis Saddleman, entitled Reborn. Trustee Bailey
thanked Trustee Cooper for her thought-provoking reading.
Condolences
Trustee Bailey, Chair, reported that condolences were sent on behalf of the Board to the
following:
Kim Stanson, teacher at Waverly Drive PS, on the loss of her father; the family of Ina
Prins, former teacher at Princess Elizabeth PS; Kim Miller, wife of Bernie Miller, former
teacher at ODSS, Ann Fenton, teacher at Montgomery Village PS, on the loss of her
father; Stephen Haslam, teacher at Montgomery Village PS, on the loss of his father- inlaw; the family of Keira Mitchell, former kindergarten student at Kenilworth PS; the
family of Sheila MacPhee, retired teacher at Centennial CVI; the family of Robert Kidd,
former Transportation Manager; the family of Robert Bradstock, retired secondary
Principal/teacher/coach, and to the family of Ronald Corbett, retired Superintendent with
the Wellington County Board.
Trustee Bailey advised that Monday, April 28th, 2014, is the National Day of Mourning
where we pay our respects to and remember the thousands of workers who have been
killed, injured or suffered illness as a result of work-related incidents. He noted that we
as employers need to work together with health and safety partners to prevent worker
injuries or deaths.
Good News
Dr. Rogers highlighted the Good News as follows:
Orangeville DSS
Teacher, Robert Berg has been selected by Queen’s University as a recipient of a 2014
Baillie Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching. This award was
established by Queen’s University Chancellor Emeritus, Mr. Charles Baillie, O.C. to
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Board Meeting, April 22, 2014
enable students graduating from Queen’s to honour high school educators who had a
positive and formative influence setting them on a course of higher learning. Mr. Berg
was nominated by Alex Cormier who attended Orangeville DSS and who is graduating
from Queen’s this year with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Berg
has been invited to Alex’s convocation on June 5th to receive his award in person.
Queen’s University would like to acknowledge ODSS in supporting exceptional high
school teachers who instill a love of learning and inspire students to strive for academic
excellence.
Centre Dufferin DHS, June 6 D-Day Celebrations
Neil Orford received word from the Honourable Julian Fantino that CDDHS students will
be representing all Canadian Youth and will be speaking on stage at Normandy amid
Presidents, Prime Ministers and honoured guests from all the Allied Nations on June 6
at Juno Beach. CDDHS will have 21 students plus three teachers at the Ceremony,
and most importantly, they will be escorting a D-Day Veteran from Dufferin County, 88
year young Mr. Anthony Balch.
Centre Dufferin DHS, Student Awarded the Shelley Peterson Literacy Scholarship
Michaela Halifax, a student at CDDHS, won the Shelley Peterson Literacy Scholarship,
which was presented by Headwaters Art on March 29. The fund has been established
to provide financial assistance in the form of a scholarship, to enhance the education
and advancement to students of the arts from high schools within the Headwaters
Region.
Grade 12 Student, Ewan Matthews a Centre Dufferin DHS Student Corrects History
(Orangeville Banner)
Ewan Matthews was given the task to study Second World War veteran Estel Cook, an
Orangeville native who went missing nine days after storming the beaches of Normandy
on D-Day. It was initially believed that Cook had been executed along with 26 other
Canadian soldiers in Abbaye d’Ardeene, not far from Juno Beach. While researching,
Matthews uncovered proof that Cook had been executed with six other soldiers near the
small town of Mouen, about 13 km away from Abbaye d’Ardene. Cook and the other six
soldiers were victims of a war crime when the Germans violated the Geneva
Convention and executed him and others on June 17, 1944. During the high school’s
annual Battlefields Tour trip last fall, Matthews visited Cook’s grave at the Beny-Sur Mer
Canadian Military Cemetery in France. It was while reading Cook’s epitaph on Cook’s
grave that he realized the significance of what he had uncovered. Teacher Neil Orford
is very proud of Ewan Matthews’ achievement and the fact that he cared enough to set
the record straight.
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Board Meeting, April 22, 2014
Guelph CVI
We received confirmation today that Guelph CVI is officially an International
Baccalaureate (IB) candidate school!
Upper Grand DSB – Staff
MaryAnn Schouten and Trudy Counter of the Board's Communication, Language and
Speech Services Department made a presentation on April 4 th at the Eighth School
Services Symposium. Their topic, Senior Kindergarten Language and Assessment and
Intervention: A Narrative-Based Approach was one of the five afternoon sessions
organized by the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and
Audiologists School Services Committee. Our staff shared their insights on the
development and outcomes from UGDSB's Kindergarten Communication Skills
Evaluation, and how it leads to our Literacy-based Language Intervention, which is
small group intervention for students from SK to Grade 2.
Pam Clemens a member of our IT support staff and her husband Neill have been
vacationing in the Dominican Republic for the last several years. While many of us
escape the cold winter for a week of warmth in the south, the Clemens vacation with a
difference, or rather they make a difference when they vacation. With the help of
many people and the airlines, they take school supplies, clothing and used sporting
equipment to the Dominican to help underprivileged children. This year was no
exception, with the generosity of many people including Guelph Minor Baseball who
donated several sets of catcher’s equipment Pam and Neill were able to take several
large bags with them.
Carol Beatson (Tech Safety) and Frances Norlen (Science Safety) had the opportunity
this past summer to be part of the CODE Health and Safety in Schools Project. They
continued to work on this project this fall and winter including providing feedback on the
four resource guides and online training modules and providing photos. Thanks to Mark
Weidmark for providing direction about the photos that were submitted at CODE's
request. One of the photos, a dissection taken at WHSS, is featured in the executive
summary that CODE published on April 16. Photos also appear in the guides. The
resource guides have been posted on a website to allow full or individual downloading
and printing of each section of the guides. Boards are welcome to customize any
section of the resource guide (including the checklist) to meet their individual needs. As
Carol and Frances work to update the handbooks for secondary science, secondary
technological education and elementary science and technological education sections
of these guides that meet the Board’s needs will be incorporated on the website.
Trustee Bailey announced that on Thursday April 24, 2014, the UGDSB will celebrate its
first annual Custodial and Maintenance Appreciation Day. All of our schools will
recognize these staff members who work so hard to keep our schools clean and well
maintained. Thanks to this group, we have beautiful places to work and learn.
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Board Meeting, April 22, 2014
Confirmation of the Agenda
Trustee Fairbairn moved, seconded by Trustee Schieck, that the agenda be
confirmed as printed.
The motion carried.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest
There were no conflicts of interest.
Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting Held March 25, 2014
Trustee Waterston moved, seconded by Trustee Moziar, that the minutes of the
meeting held March 25, 2014, and the minutes of the Committee of the Whole
meeting held immediately prior to the Board meeting, be approved as printed.
The motion carried.
Ratification of Business Transacted by the Committee of the Whole In Camera
Trustee Borden moved, seconded by Trustee Topping, that the business
transacted by the Committee of the Whole In Camera be now ratified by the
Board.
The motion carried.
Motion to Rise and Sit in Committee of the Whole
Trustee Cooper moved, seconded by Trustee Fairbairn, that the Board rise and
sit in Committee of the Whole with the Chairperson presiding.
The motion carried.
Program Committee
Trustee Topping moved that the minutes of the Program Committee held April 1,
2014 be received.
The motion carried.
Trustee Topping moved that:
1.
The verbal report from student Trustees be received.
2.
The verbal report on student success highlights, 2012-2013 year in review
and 2013-2014 action plan be received.
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Board Meeting, April 22, 2014
3.
The verbal report on a few big ideas about technology in education be
received.
4.
The verbal OPSBA report be received.
The motion carried.
Business Operations Committee
Trustee Cooper moved that the minutes of the Business Operations Committee
held April 8, 2014 be received.
The motion carried.
Trustee Cooper moved that:
1.
a)
The report entitled "Naming of New Elementary Schools" dated
April 8, 2014 be received.
b)
The new Orangeville school be named "Spencer Avenue
Elementary School".
c)
The new school in Rockwood be named "Ecole Harris Mill Public
School".
d)
The new school in South Guelph be named "Ecole Arbour Vista
Public School".
e)
The new school in East Guelph be named "William C. Winegard
Public School".
f)
King George Public School be named "Ecole King George Public
School".
2.
Trustee Gohn be appointed to the Wellington North Elementary
Accommodation Review Committee.
3.
a)
Memo PLN: 14-09, “2014/2015 Development Area School
Assignments”, dated April 8, 2014 be received.
b)
The changes to the Development Area School Assignments as
outlined in Appendices A and B in memo PLN: 14-09 “2014/15
Development Area School Assignments” be approved for the
2014/15 school year.
a)
The report “Preliminary Elementary Teacher Staffing for 2014-2015
School Year” dated 2014 04 08 be received.
4.
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Board Meeting, April 22, 2014
5.
b)
Based on the projected Elementary FTE of 22,279 and system
needs, a preliminary allocation of Elementary teaching staff for the
2014-2015 school year be set at 1306.9 FTE teachers.
a)
The report re “Preliminary Secondary School Teacher Staffing for
2014-2015 school year” dated 2014 04 08 be received.
b)
Based on the projected Secondary ADE of 10,983.6 and system
needs a preliminary allocation of Secondary teaching staff for the
2014-2015 school year be set at 748.27 FTE teachers.
6.
The verbal report on Health and Safety be received.
7.
The report “Resignations and Retirements” dated April 8, 2014 be
received.
The motion carried.
Elementary Principal and Vice-Principal Eligibility Lists
Director Rogers announced that earlier this evening, in the In Camera portion of the
meeting, the following motions were passed:
That:
a)
Jane Bibby, Randy Dewey, Chad Guyitt, Paul Huddleston, Nancy
Mundle and Natasha Skerritt be placed on the Elementary Principal
Eligibility List, and
b)
Janice Dampier, Trisha Drohan-Brodeur, Brenda Sherry, Valerie
Smith, Barbra Tomkins and Mark Turner be placed on the
Elementary Vice-Principal Eligibility List.
Trustee Bailey offered a warm welcome to the pool and thanked staff and committee
members for the work in creating the eligibility lists.
Special Education Advisory Committee
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the minutes of the Special Education Advisory
Committee held April 9, 2014 be received.
The motion carried.
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Board Meeting, April 22, 2014
Student Trustee Appointment 2014-15
Trustee Bailey announced and welcomed the two new student Trustees for 2014- 2015;
Dylan Challinor from Erin DHS, and Guthrie Woodford from Guelph CVI.
Trustee Fairbairn moved that Dylan Challinor from Erin DHS and Guthrie
Woodford from Guelph CVI be appointed as the Upper Grand District School
Board Student Trustees for the 2014-2015 school year.
The motion carried.
Extended Day Program
Superintendent Benallick presented the report entitled Extended Day Program dated
April 22, 2014. She noted that with the implementation of Full Day Kindergarten (FDK)
the Ministry of Education envisioned an extended day program to complement FDK to
take place before and/or after the regular school day. She advised that the Ministry
worked with school boards and child care operators to develop guidelines for the
provision of this program. Ms. Benallick elaborated on the work that has been done to
provide 32 schools with extended day programs as well as a detailed list of schools and
providers. Trustees asked questions of clarification, questioned the communication
strategies, and expressed thanks for the work done in providing extended day programs
throughout the Board.
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the report entitled “Extended Day Program” dated
April 22, 2014 be received.
The motion carried.
Resignations and Retirements
Executive Officer of Human Resources Rose presented the Resignations and
Retirements report dated April 22, 2014.
Trustee Schieck moved that the report Resignations and Retirements, Appendix
A and Appendix B dated April 22, 2014, be received, with thanks to staff for many
years of service.
The motion carried.
Board Correspondence
Trustee Bailey advised that correspondence was received from the Durham District
School Board, addressed to The Honourable Liz Sandals, Minister of Education,
requesting that regulatory changes be made to the Trustee distribution process to allow
school districts to determine Trustee distribution one year prior to the opening of
nominations for a Municipal election.
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Board Meeting, April 22, 2014
Correspondence was received from The Coalition on Physical Punishment of Children
and Youth, thanking the Upper Grand DSB for its letter of support and endorsement.
A letter from West Willow Village neighbourhood group was received, thanking the
Board for the prompt attention to their request for storage space.
There were no directions or discussions for the Chair of the Board regarding the above
noted correspondence.
Trustee Borden moved that the Board Correspondence dated April 22, 2014, be
received.
The motion carried.
Trustee Questions and Reports
Truth and Reconciliation of Residential Schools
Trustee Cooper raised a concern regarding the Truth and Reconciliation of Residential
Schools, interim report. This report dated June 2008, contains an apology from the
Canadian Government to Aboriginal peoples for Canada’s role in the Indian Residential
Schools system, and asks for forgiveness of the Aboriginal peoples of this country for
failing them so profoundly. Trustee Cooper requested support from staff and Trustees
to have this apology prominently posted in all secondary schools, for ongoing
educational purposes, as recommended in the interim report. She suggested that,
because the apology was publicly shared in June, that we aim for June to share this
information with secondary schools. There were no objections to Trustee Cooper’s
suggestion, and Trustee Bailey noted that senior administration are now aware of
Trustees’ desires regarding this issue. Student Trustee Dong suggested that the issue
be brought up through Student Senate to enable student involvement and leadership.
Dates of Future Meetings
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the May 2014 schedule for Board and Standing
Committee Meetings be approved as follows:
Program Committee
Business Operations
Board Meeting
May 6, 2014
May 13, 2014
May 27, 2014
The motion carried.
Director Rogers added the following to the Dates of Future Meetings:
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Wellington North Accommodation Review Committee
Meeting is at 5:00 p.m., (not 7:00 p.m.), at Arthur PS
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Board Meeting, April 22, 2014
Friday, May 2, 2014
RISE Conference, 9:15 a.m., University of Guelph
May 5 – 8, 2014
Dufferin Youth Festival of the Arts, Compass Church,
corner of highway # 10 and Hockley Road
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Student Senate conference, at Linamar,
9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Everyday Hero Selection Committee, room 9, 9:00 a.m.
(was previously listed as May 2, 2014)
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Presentation by Canadian Anti-spam Legislation Lawyer
9:00 a.m. in boardroom, all senior administration, and all
Trustees are invited.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Learning Foundation meeting, 5:30 p.m., room 3
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the Dates of Future Meetings dated April 22, 2014
be received, with the above noted additions.
The motion carried.
Motion to Rise and Report to the Board
Trustee Cooper moved that the Committee of the Whole rise and report to the
Board.
The motion carried.
Ratification of Business
Trustee Topping moved, seconded by Trustee Schieck that the business
transacted by the Committee of the Whole be now ratified by the Board.
The motion carried.
Adjournment
Trustee Waterston moved, seconded by Trustee Borden that the Board adjourn
and this meeting now close at 8:20 p.m.
The motion carried.
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