September 28, 2020_This update provides a summary of the online public meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held September 28, 2020, livestreamed (the recorded version will be available within 24 hours). It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in October 2020.
Sean Monteith, Director of Education, acknowledged the First Peoples of the territory. This evening we acknowledge that the land on which we are gathered is part of the traditional territory of the Mohawk, Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples. We conduct tonight's business recognizing that we are all Treaty people and give respect to this territory and all its young people.
Character Moment of Reflection
Each Board meeting opens with a Character Moment of Reflection. At Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, Growing with Character is our intentional focus on creating safe, caring, respectful and inclusive learning environments where students develop the foundation for good character. Growing with Character is the foundation of the school board strategic plan. Through Growing with Character, we model, teach and expect demonstrations of our eight character traits which are: Caring, Cooperation, Honesty, Humour, Integrity, Respect, Responsibility and Trustworthiness.
This evening Shannon Binder, Vice-chair and trustee for Southeast Hastings, asked all to reflect on Cooperation: We work as a team for a common good. We value the opinions of others and show a willingness to work together towards a common goal.
Presentation
Buzz Box Fun Kits for Kids
Introducing Myles Ramsay, a Grade 11 student at Eastside Secondary School. Myles is the founder and owner of Buzz Box Fun Kits for Kids, a company he started in May 2020. Knowing that entertainment options are limited for kids due to COVID-19, Myles has a solution: provide a safe, home delivery service of activity kits full of fun, creativity and active play for kids ages 4-10.
Kits are themed, with new ones being added. The current offerings include the following:
- Be Your Own Superhero (top seller)
- Space Explorers
- Trash Can Treasures
- Mindful Moments
- Magic Mania
- Robots Rock
- Unicorn Wishes
- Top Secret Spy
- Backyard Bug Safari
- Campfire Kids
- Mermaid Magic (sold out)
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Introducing Myles Ramsay, a Grade 11 student at Eastside Secondary School. Myles is the founder and owner of Buzz Box Fun Kits for Kids, a company he started in May 2020.
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Coming soon are Brain Gym and Finance 4 Fun. Find out more at the Buzz Box Fun Kits for Kids website.
Find out more starting on page 2 of the September 28, 2020 agenda (Pdf).
Recommendation
Borrowing resolution amendment #2 to a credit agreement
Ensuring effective management of all resources is a strategic priority for Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. Part of the effective management of all resources includes establishing various credit facilities to meet the operating and capital expenditures until funds are received from the Ministry of Education.
Board members approved an amendment to the credit agreement with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce that authorizes the following borrowing in order to meet short-term borrowing requirements for capital projects:
- borrowing of a sum of up to $21,144,213 for various school improvements under the School Condition Improvement Program;
- borrowing of a sum of up to $7,890,000 for additions and renovations at Eastside Secondary School;
- borrowing of a sum of up to $5,557,725 for the construction of an addition and renovations to the existing Centre Hastings Secondary School; and
- borrowing of a sum of up to $11,488,900 for the construction of Easthill Elementary School at the Queen Elizabeth School site.
Information
2020 Elementary Summer Learning Program update
The Ministry of Education (EDU) provided funding to school boards to deliver summer learning programming to students in grades K-8. The purpose was to mitigate learning loss during the summer, in support of increasing student achievement, and close learning gaps in literacy and numeracy. Considering the COVID19 pandemic and student staff and family safety, the EDU stipulated that the 2020 summer learning program must include a minimum of 45 hours of learning, with 30 hours being delivered in a direct, synchronous manner. HPEDSB received $60,000 to offer four summer learning classes over a 3-week period from July 6-24, 2020.
Due to the level of interest in and need for a summer learning program and its gap closing priority, HPEDSB offered 16 classes for students from grades K-8. Four were funded through EDU and 11 through HPEDSB.
Find out more on page 38 of the September 28, 2020 agenda (Pdf).
K-12 Virtual School update
A survey of families conducted from August 10 - 14, 2020 revealed that 84% of the students in the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board were planning to return to regular classes on September 3, 2020. An analysis of the data survey indicated that more than 1,600 students would learn from home. On August 13, 2020, the Ministry of Education issued Policy/Program Memorandum No. 164 with the requirements for remote learning during times of pandemic. The memorandum provides direction to school boards about remote learning requirements, including implementation and reporting.
Based upon the survey results and the requirements established by PPM 164, on August 17, 2020 a decision was made by the senior team to begin to make and to implement plans to create the K-12 Virtual School for students who planned to learn online. This school began serving students on September 14, 2020. It started with approximately 1,800 students and, as of this evening, enrolment will increase to approximately 2,400+ students by the end of next week when Block B/Octomester 2 begins.
Find out more on page 39 of the September 28, 2020 agenda (Pdf).
Ontario Scholars
This report listed the number of student who achieved Ontario Scholar status at each HPEDSB secondary school from 2015 to 2020, inclusive.
Find out more on page 45 of the September 28, 2020 agenda (Pdf).
Report from student trustees
Highlights from this report include the following:
- Discussed variations of the expanding the student senate, including adding junior senate for elementary students and another one for Grade 9 and 10 students
- Increasing social worker access to high school students; social workers will visit classrooms to introduce themselves; access through Google classroom
Report from the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Highlights from this report include the following:
- Student Services personnel updates
- Education and Community Partnership Program (ECPP) updates
- Reviewed a letter sent to the Ministry of Education from the Halton District School Board
- Hearing about staff on the frontlines being empowered
- Looking for a student trustee to participate on SEAC, meetings are Thursday evenings, once a month
Report from the Audit Committee
Highlights from this report include the following:
- Presentation by the external auditors of their audit plan and schedules for this school year
- Met with the Regional Internal Audit Team for this school year
Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) Information Exchange
Highlights from this report include the following:
- The OPSBA Annual General Meeting was held this past weekend online; a recorded livestream is available on the OPSBA website
- Shared the results of elections for the roles of president, first and second vice-presidents, representative for the Indigenous Trustees' Council, and chair for the Eastern Region
- The next regional meeting is November 7, 2020
Questions or reports from trustees
Highlights from this report include the following:
- The Board of Trustees will meet on October 5, 2020 at 3:30 PM for strategic planning, rather than the previously-scheduled November 7, 2020 date; support can be provided to trustees who need child care in order to participate
- Participation on the Mental Health Committee; the committee saw a draft of the new mental health strategy
- HPEDSB child and youth workers, and social workers prepared 1,000 calming kits for students
Correspondence
Letters received from the following school boards:
- Upper Grand District School Board
- Lakehead Public Schools
- Simcoe County District School Board
- Waterloo Region District School Board
- York Region District School Board
- Halton District School Board
Find out more on page 46 of the September 28, 2020 agenda (Pdf).
The next public Board meeting is Monday, October 26, 2020, online through a livestream event at 7:00 PM.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications & Public Relations Manager, extension 62354, [email protected]