For immediate release
May 7, 2001

A Great Place to Learn in Hastings and Prince Edward
 
        The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board is responsible for educating more than 21,000 students -- for them, it's a Great Place to Learn.
        "Just saying we're a Great Place, wasn't enough," explains Audrey Carter, Chair of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. "We needed to define what makes a Great Place for students to learn and staff to work."
Last Fall, an advisory group gave careful consideration to defining just what makes a Great Place. The final definition, shaped with input from schools, school councils, and all employee groups, is officially becoming a permanent part of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board during Education Week 2001.
        In celebration of the ongoing efforts to create a Great Place, each school will receive a plaque bearing the definition of a Great Place. The plaques will arrive during Education Week and will be hung in a place of honour within the school. Education Centre departments will receive their plaques in a special ceremony to be held at the Board Office on May  9, 2001.
        "The plaques will act as a reminder of the purpose of the Board and an inspiration to strive to continue to create the Great Place," says Chair Carter. "The Great Place is not a static definition but a living goal for our system and a part of the Board's strategic plan."
        To further give life to the Great Place, a new Great Place Awards program is being launched. The awards are open to anyone who makes an exceptional contribution to the school system as a Great Place. The first awards will be handed out early next year.

For information contact:
Larry Langdon, Director of Education, 966-1170  ext. 2257

To find out how your community school is joining the Great Place movement during Education Week please call your local public school.