Board Meeting Update #174

Board Meeting Update #174
Posted on 01/27/2020

This update provides a summary of the public meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in February 2020.

Lucille Kyle, Chair of the Board, 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 Haudenosaunee people. We acknowledge the land to show respect and recognize the First Peoples of the territory; their history, culture and perspectives and as a step towards reconciliation.

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 Krista McConnell, Trustee, Belleville/Thurlow, asked all to reflect on Humour: We celebrate the fun in life. We lighten the emotions of others by interacting in a joyful manner.

Celebrating students: Leveraging Community to Support Student Achievement, Prince Charles School (Belleville)

The Prince Charles School (Belleville) community works closely with the community to engage and support students. The adults care about students and go the extra mile to help students achieve success. The education and care of children in the school is a shared responsibility and opportunity to be difference makers for all.

Thank you to Stephanie Taylor-Harvey, Principal and Tera Brough, Vice-principal, Prince Charles School (Belleville) and guest presenters:

  • Aaron denEngelsen, Grade 6 student who has participated in many of the initiatives
  • Mark Hymus, Community Partner
  • Marg Werkhoven, Community Partner

Marg and other volunteers connect with the school through the One 2 One Readers program. Mark connects with the school through the Game On program and Kids Connect. Additional community partners include Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, City of Belleville, Belleville Police, Good Live Fitness, Canadian Tire, Belleville Dodge Chrysler, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Girls Incorporated, Giant Tiger, Loyalist College, Queen's University and Centennial Secondary School, to name a few.

In the words of student Aaron, "Participating in the programs gives me a chance to be a role model."

Board Meeting Prince Charles

Thank you to Stephanie Taylor-Harvey, Principal and Tera Brough, Vice-principal, Prince Charles School (Belleville) and guest presenters Aaron denEngelsen, Grade 6 student who has participated in many of the initiatives; Mark Hymus, Community Partner; and Marg Werkhoven, Community Partner.

Information

Calendar of events

A number of district and school events (Pdf) are scheduled for February 2020.

New process for developing the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement

Promoting increased student achievement needs to begin in a context closest to the students served in HPEDSB. This required a change to the process to develop the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA) (Pdf). In keeping with the HPEDSB approach of putting all students first, BIPSA development was flipped to be based on trends and themes that emerged from school improvement plans. This change represents a commitment to intentionally reflect the student and staff learning needs in the development of the BIPSA as a responsive plan versus a system direction that potentially drives improvement practices in areas that are not indicative of student and staff needs.

Educators in all schools engaged collaboratively in a process led by school administrators to:

  • collect and analyze school specific student data;
  • set goals related to student needs;
  • identify actions to implement to support increased student achievement; and
  • establish relevant measures to monitor impact and growth.

Thank you to school administrators for being part of a BIPSA sub-committee: Louise Gunning, Principal, Madoc Township Public School; Ian Press, Principal, Bayside Secondary School; Stephanie Taylor-Harvey, Principal, Prince Charles School (Belleville); and Eric Fetterley, Vice-principal, Eastside Secondary School.

Board Meeting BIPSA

Thank you to school administrators for being part of a BIPSA sub-committee: Louise Gunning, Principal, Madoc Township Public School; Ian Press, Principal, Bayside Secondary School; Stephanie Taylor-Harvey, Principal, Prince Charles School (Belleville); and Eric Fetterley, Vice-principal, Eastside Secondary School.

2019 Director's Annual Report

Kerry Donnell, Communications Manager, presented this interactive, online annual report. It showcases student and employee learning and leadership during the 2019 calendar year, celebrates community engagement and well-being initiatives, while also describing progress made on building renewal and information technology projects.

Report from Trustees

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • Presentation to a provincial government committee for pre-budget consultations
  • Fundraising by student groups to support secondary school initiatives
  • Student Senate work on advocacy and media

Upcoming meetings

All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.

  • Monday, February 3: Executive Committee, 1:00 p.m.
  • Monday, February 10: Public Committee of the Whole, 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 20: Parent Involvement Committee, 5:30 p.m.
  • Monday, February 24: Public Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, February 27: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Manager, extension 62354, [email protected]