Highlights from the April 2015 Board Meeting
MEDIA RELEASE
April 29, 2015
GUELPH, Ontario – The regular monthly meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on April 28, 2015. The following provides highlights from the meeting.
Elementary Principal Transfer
David Marquis, currently Principal at Edward Johnson Public School will be transferred effective September 2015 to become Principal of a new JK-8 French Immersion (FI) school to be built on Couling Crescent in Guelph. JK-3 FI Students in the interim Couling boundary will be holding in the former Tytler Public School, growing to JK-4 in September 2016. These students are located generally east of Victoria Road (east end Guelph). Staff and students will move as a group when the new school is completed and readied for opening, in 2016 or 2017. Some students from King George PS will also be relocated to Couling Crescent as a result of a boundary review currently underway. Information about the boundary review can be found at www.ugdsb.ca/egbr. A new school website for Couling Crescent Holding at Tytler PS is online at www.ugdsb.ca/couling.
Elementary and Secondary Principal and Vice-principal Eligibility Lists
Heather Davis, Darren Hale, Chris Popofski, Valerie Smith and Katherine Wainman have been placed on the Elementary Principals Eligibility List.
Carla Anderson. Melissa Mortimer, Andrea Papavasilou, Wayne Peeters, Shannon Spike, and Jill Woytko have been placed on the Elementary Vice-principals Eligibility List.
Albert Boutin and James Cako have been placed on the Secondary Vice-principals Eligibility List
Congratulations to all.
OSSTF Support Staff Appreciation Day
Chair of the Board, Mark Bailey told trustees the Wednesday, May 6 is OSSTF Support Staff Appreciation Day. He said that this is the day the board marks the dedication, contributions and achievements of the many support workers in schools and the board offices – Educational Assistants, Registered Early Childhood Educators, Professional Support Staff Personnel and Office Clerical Technical Workers.
National Day of Mourning
Martha Rogers noted that today (April 28) is the National Day of Mourning for workers who have been injured or killed on the job. In respect, the flags at UGDSB sites have been lowered for the day.
Preliminary Elementary Teacher Staffing
Based on the projected elementary enrolment of 22,248 and system needs a preliminary allocation of 1,306.1 full time equivalent (FTE) elementary teachers will be required for 2015-16.
Preliminary Secondary Teacher Staffing
Based on system needs and a projected enrolment of 10,618.74 (including international students) a preliminary allocation of 728.37 FTE secondary teachers will be required for 2015-16.
School Access Points for Transportation
Trustees received a report from Service de transport Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services (STWDSTS) on access points for transportation. Since the software used by STWDSTS has improved over the years, it is now possible to identify pedestrian access points to school buildings more accurately, not just based on the school’s address (front door). The access points are based on walkways or driveways, not informal trails through adjacent parks. Subsequently, all walking distances were re-measured. This will result in 11 more children getting a bus ride to school and 154 bus riders who will become walkers in September of 2015. All students and families who have a change in their status for transportation will be notified by STWDSTS.
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Trustee Busuttil reported that SEAC had received a letter that the Ministry of Education would develop a province-wide strategy dealing with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). SEAC wrote to the Ministry asking it to do this, as Ontario is the only province without a formal strategy.
Dufferin Youth Festival of the Arts (DYFA)
Trustee White reported that she had attended the four mornings of music and art at the DYFA held in Orangeville the previous week. She lauded the celebration as it is not competitive but showcases the artistic talents of students from all school boards and private schools in Dufferin County.
Letter to the Minister of Education
Trustees directed the Chair of the Board to write to Education Minister Liz Sandals expressing their concern and that no school boards have been asked to be members of the panel that is investigating community hubs.
Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
The trustees will meet at the Chairs’ Committee on May 4 to discuss the review of the governance structure of the TDSB. All boards have been asked to comment to the panel. The implications of changes at TDSB may affect more than just that board.
The next regular monthly meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at the Guelph Board Office, 500 Victoria Road North beginning at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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For more information:
Maggie McFadzen, Communications Officer
519-822-4420 ext. 725
[email protected]
Mark Weidmark, Administrative Officer – Communications
519-822-4420 ext. 544
[email protected]
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