Board Meeting Highlights for May 2017
For Immediate Release
May 24, 2017
GUELPH, Ontario – The May meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on May 23, 2017. The following provides highlights from the meeting.
Mental Health and Well-being Week
Trustees received an update on Child and Youth Mental Health and Well-being Week from the board’s Mental Health Lead, Dr. Lynn Woodford. Mental Health and Well-being Week was celebrated from May 1 to 5 in schools and offices across the Upper Grand.
The organizing committee developed and distributed numerous materials for schools, including posters, mental health and well-being activities for classes to run, resources for students, parents and teachers and more. Activities held at schools ranged from meditation and calm breathing exercises, poster contests and book purchases, to hosting guest speakers and leading nature walks. Thirty-seven schools received funding from the board’s Student Success team to help support their mental health initiatives. The committee will survey schools to determine which resources were most helpful and which additional resources schools would like to receive next year.
West Guelph French Immersion Boundary Review
The UGDSB will commence a French Immersion (FI) Boundary Review in West Guelph. The purpose of the review is to confirm the boundary for a new JK-8 FI program that will begin in 2018-19.
In February, staff confirmed the feasibility of a new FI program for West Guelph, as part of the board’s Annual French Review process. The new JK-8 FI program will be accommodated at Gateway Drive Public School (JK-3 FI) which will feed to Willow Road Public School (grades 4-8 FI).
In addition to confirming the new JK-8 FI boundary, the review will also consider the impact of the new boundary on Paisley Road Public School and John McCrae Public School, as both schools currently accommodate FI students from West Guelph.
In the Initial Report, staff has proposed that the new JK-8 FI boundary generally include the area west of the Hanlon Expressway to the extent of the Guelph Woolwich Townline and north of the Speed River. This area is currently within the JK-3 FI boundary for Paisley Road PS and the grade 4-8 FI boundary for John McCrae PS.
Four possible accommodation options were presented to trustees. Three of these options consider starting FI at Gateway Drive PS with JK/SK in 2018/19 and growing the program by a grade each year. Option 4 considers starting the new FI program at Gateway Drive PS with JK-3 FI in 2018/19 with the program gaining a grade each year thereafter.
Throughout the boundary review process, families will have opportunities to gather information and provide feedback. The Initial Boundary Review Report that includes information about these options can be found online with other pertinent information on the review at www.ugdsb.ca/wgbr. The website also allows users to comment on the boundary review, sign up to receive email notifications and view the schedule of meetings. A public information session is scheduled for June 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Gateway Drive PS. The public may delegate at upcoming Board and Standing Committee meetings prior to trustees making a final decision on the boundary review in September.
For more information, visit www.ugdsb.ca/wgbr.
Preliminary Elementary Staffing for 2017-18
Trustees approved staff recommendations regarding preliminary elementary staffing for next school year. Based on the projected enrolment and system needs, a preliminary allocation of elementary teaching staff will be set at 1,356.2 FTE teachers for the 2017-18 school year.
The next regular monthly meeting will be held by on Tues. June 27, 2017, at the Guelph Board Office, 500 Victoria Road North. Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.
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For more information:
Heather Loney, Communications and Community Engagement Officer
Upper Grand District School Board
519-822-4420 ext.725
[email protected]
Megan Sicoli, Administrative Officer, Communications
Upper Grand District School Board
519-822-4420 ext.764
[email protected]
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