This is a summary of the December 11, 2023 public meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. Official minutes will be approved at the next regular meeting.
Vocal performance by the Vocal Class of Prince Edward Collegiate Institute
The lovely sounds of song filled the room as the students opened the meeting by singing "Hallelujah" and "Hey Soul Sister."
Thank you to teacher Andrew Cranshaw and students Kyleigh Condon, Lei Lani Charlie, Amy Iamundo, Daytona Roloson, Hailey Smith, Bella Watts, for the lovely vocal performance.
Acknowledgement of Traditional Lands
Rachael Prinzen, Trustee, North Prince Edward County, recited the Land Acknowledgement.
Report from external organizations
Ontario Public School Board Association (OPSBA)
This report provided updates about the following:
- Brief overview of OPSBA Advocacy Day held November 27, 2023. Priorities for the day included education funding, Indigenous Education, school capital and facilities, Grants for Student Needs and the proposed Accelerated Apprenticeship Pathways
- Letter to MP Template re: Private Member’s Bill C-322: National Framework for a School Food Program Act
Reminder to participate in the Pre-Budget Consultation Online Survey, which closes January 31, 2024
- Reminder to register for the Public Education Symposium set for the end of January 2024
Standing Committee reports
Governance and Policy Committee, December 4, 2023
Policy 9: Student Representation on the Board
Board members approved Policy 9: Student Representation on the Board. Public consultation occurred in October 2023. The updated policy will be posted to the HPEschools.ca website this week. Find out more starting on page 17 of the December 11, 2023 agenda.
Revised public notice regarding by-law revisions
Board members approved providing revised advance written notice to the public that revisions to the HPEDSB by-laws will be presented at the regular public meeting on January 22, 2024. Find out more starting on page 21 of the December 11, 2023 agenda.
Physical Planning, Finance and Building Committee, December 11, 2023
Revised Estimates
Revised estimates are budgets that are updated for changes in enrolment, staffing, revenues, and expenses; these are submitted to the Ministry by December 15 of each year. Revised estimates are more reliable than budgets as the information and assumptions that they contain have been refreshed relative to those used in the spring when the budgets were developed. Find out more starting on page 22 of the December 11, 2023 agenda.
Boundary Review update
Boundary reviews for two school group areas (Bayside-Trenton and Harmony-Foxboro) are taking place in fall 2023. The purpose of the reviews is to determine how the boundaries might be adjusted in order to balance enrolment and alleviate enrolment pressures at Harmony Public School, Bayside Public School and Bayside Secondary School, specifically.
The public engagement sessions have been rescheduled from December 2023 to January 16, 2024 (Bayside-Trenton) and January 17, 2024 (Harmony-Foxboro), respectively. Display boards with all proposed options will be set up at the sessions in a carousel format, with school board staff and Watson representatives available to answer questions and provide additional information. Communications were circulated to families on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Additional BRAC meetings will be scheduled for the week of January 22, 2024 to discuss feedback from the public sessions and determine recommendations. Find out more starting on page 47 of the December 11, 2023 agenda.
Statutory Committee reports
Special Education Advisory Committee, December 7, 2023
Highlights from this report included the following:
- A new committee chair and vice-chair were elected; congratulations to Lisa Rashotte, Chair and Ashley Card, Vice-chair
- Presentation about student supports for hard of hearing and blind
- EQAO data review, with specific focus on Grade 3 Reading for students with Special Education needs
- The Special Education Plan review process is underway
- A letter about the special incident portion (SIP) was signed and will be forwarded to the Minister of Education
Supervised Alternative Learning Committee, November 29, 2023
Highlights from this report included the following:
- More students have been approved for SAL
- The next meeting is later this month
Advisory Committee reports
Indigenous Education Advisory Committee, December 7, 2023
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Professional learning opportunities are being planned for teachers who work in Indigenous Education
Student Voice Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Shared that two student trustees were on the local Lorne Brooker radio show last Tuesday, along with the Director of Education Katherine MacIver
- The Student Voice group now consists of two representatives from each secondary school
- The Student Voice group is determining which initiatives to focus their energies on this school year
- Next meeting is December 14, 2023
Director’s report
Highlights from this report included the following:
- The Director of Education expressed appreciation to the student trustees for their leadership and thoughtful sharing on the Lorne Brooker Show last week
- The Learning Foundation Annual General Meeting is this Wednesday, trustees are invited to attend
- Receipt of a letter from the Canadian Cancer Society about over $14,500 raised at Eastside Secondary School
- The Ministry of Education has announced new secondary school curriculum for Geography, Business and Technology courses.
- A successful information session was hosted by the Human Resources team in collaboration with Queen's University, in late November, to promote becoming a skilled trades teacher, with 30 participants
HPEDSB Staff reports
Special Education update
This report provided updates about various items for Student Services, including an analysis of Individual Education Plan data, services for speech and language, psychological assessments and behaviour supports. Find out more starting on page 22 of the December 48, 2023 agenda.
Mental Health update
This report provided updates about staff training for trauma informed practices, as well as team actions to support students. Find out more starting on page 51 of the December 11, 2023 agenda.
Student Achievement Plan update
Highlights from this report included the following:
- The Ministry of Education has provided no further information about requirements for Student Achievement Plans
- HPEDSB is progressing with literacy and numeracy work to support students in these areas
Reading/Literacy update
Highlights from this report included the following:
- The ways in which HPEDSB is supporting students in Grade 2, specifically, how to read
- This includes doing early reading screening using tools that are valid; intervention supports in schools
Calendar of events
A long list of school events are scheduled for the remainder of December and into January. Find out more starting on page 54 of the December 11, 2023 agenda.
- Next regular public Board Meeting: 6:00 PM, January 22, 2024
- Future public Board meetings, 6:00 PM start
February 26, 2024
March 25, 2024
April 22, 2024
May 27, 2024
June 17, 2024