Board Meeting Highlights for January 2016
For Immediate Release
January 26, 2016
GUELPH, Ontario – The January meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on January 26, 2016. The following provides highlights from the meeting.
First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education update
Trustees were presented with an update on highlights from the past year in First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Education.
Curriculum leader Colinda Clyne highlighted the importance of bringing Elders and Traditional Knowledge carriers into Upper Grand classrooms. Last year, 14 different Elders or Traditional Knowledge carriers visited 27 Upper Grand schools. Trustees heard about the impact these visits can have, not only opening students’ minds to new ways of learning, but also by providing teachers with first-hand experience about FNMI communities and cultures. This year, the board is well on its way to surpassing the number of visits by Elders in our classrooms.
From April to June of 2015, the “Zoongeheshkwaad” student art show was showcased at the Wellington County Museum. The show featured artwork inspired by Indigenous teachings, culture and art. The event was so popular, guests had to be turned away. More than 100 pieces of stunning student art were featured in the show, with 18 schools participating. Even more schools are expected to participate this year.
Also highlighted was last year’s Aboriginal Heritage Festival. The festival is a celebration of First Nations art, music and voice. Last year, the festival was expanded to a two-day event, with more than 600 students attending. Even with the expanded schedule, over 1,000 people were on a waiting list, hoping to attend. This year’s festival will be extended to a four-day event to accommodate the demand.
Beyond Borders students raise funds for hospital fetal unit
Trustees were also given a presentation by Beyond Borders students. Beyond Borders is a unique Upper Grand District School Board program that explores integrated and experiential educational opportunities, with a focus on business and leadership.
Students highlighted aspects of the program that make it stand out, including how it teaches them about leadership, ambition, responsibility, professionalism, resource management and more, while integrating them into the community.
“Beyond Borders has been such an amazing opportunity for us all,” student Kory M told Trustees.
Trustees also heard about the event ONE, a charity gala organized and hosted by Beyond Borders, held at Guelph’s River Run Centre on January 16. The gala was a celebration of diversity, featuring performances and multicultural cuisine.
Through ticket sales to the event and proceeds raised at ONE, the students raised more than $55,000 to support Mount Sinai Hospital’s fetal unit for Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS).
UGDSB adopts Blue Dot resolution
The Upper Grand District School Board officially joined the growing number of organizations and communities that have embraced the Blue Dot environmental movement.
This January, a student at Centennial CVI in Guelph presented information to Board Trustees about Blue Dot, which is a project of the David Suzuki Foundation. This movement is ultimately asking the federal government to recognize citizens’ right to a healthy environment – clean water, fresh air, healthy food and a say in decisions that affect them.
Currently, the Foundation is asking organizations, communities, municipalities, cities and provinces to declare their support of the Blue Dot movement to recognize that a healthy environment should be a basic right. More than 100 municipalities, including Guelph and Erin, have officially signed declarations to date.
At the January 26 Board meeting, Trustees approved the adoption of the Blue Dot resolution, making the UGDSB an environmental leader in its commitment to environmental sustainability.
The next regular monthly meeting will be held by on Tuesday Feb. 23, 2016, at the Guelph Board Office, 500 Victoria Road North. Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting begins at 7pm.
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For more information:
Heather Loney, Communications and Community Engagement Officer
519-822-4420 ext.725
[email protected]
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