FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New teachers get ready for the first day of school
17 August 2006, Belleville, Ontario—Starting new teachers off on the right foot is a goal of a leading-edge orientation program. Next week, 60 new full-time and long-term occasional teachers from primary, junior, intermediate, special education and secondary divisions will participate in workshops on how to set up a classroom for learning and success, program planning, implementing literacy across the curriculum, assessment and evaluation, plus other board and policy related topics.

While this is the tenth year of the HPEDSB new teacher orientation program, it is also the first official year of the New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP), a new initiative of the Ministry of Education. Orientation is just one component; the other three are mentoring, professional development and the teacher performance appraisal.

“The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board continues to be a leader in new teacher orientation. Each year we hear how valuable the experience is for new teachers,” remarks Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board. “We have developed a comprehensive program that sets a supportive tone. Orientation helps to ensure new teachers feel supported on the first day of school because they’ve had a chance to meet other new teachers, network, and find out how the Board operates.”

Unique team approach to planning the event
Unique to this HPEDSB orientation program is a supportive relationship and team approach to planning the event. The planning group consists of representatives from Curriculum Services, Human Resources Support Services, Special Education Services, Information and Technology Services, and teacher federations.

All sessions are designed to provide new teachers with an overview of board policies and teaching strategies, and give specific information to get them started on the first day of school. Additional training is offered at strategic points in the school year to further support them, such as sessions to understand how to complete the assessment and evaluation sections of report cards.

Media representatives are invited to attend new teacher orientation
DATE: Monday, August 21

LOCATION: Board Room in the Education Centre, 156 Ann Street, Belleville

TIME: 8:30 a.m. Meet and Greet; 8:45 a.m. Welcome by Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board and Kathy Soule, Director of Education; 9:30 a.m. : Workshops begin

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board serves approximately 18,000 students each day at 46 elementary and 8 secondary schools. Supporting student achievement is the goal of 1,800 teaching and support staff who, in addition to the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners, share their passion for teaching and learning. The district covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south and Quinte West to the west.

For more information, contact:
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, (613) 966-1170 or 1 800 267-4350, extension 2354

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