Board Meeting Highlights for November 2016
For Immediate Release
November 23, 2016
GUELPH, Ontario – The November meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on November 22, 2016. The following provides highlights from the meeting.
North Dufferin Boundary Review and French Immersion (FI) Feasibility Study
Trustees were presented with the Final Boundary Review Report in the North Dufferin Boundary Review and FI Feasibility Study, which has been underway since August 30, 2016. The purpose of this review was to resolve immediate overcrowding concerns at Princess Elizabeth PS and Mono Amaranth PS and confirm the viability of an FI program in North Dufferin.
An FI Feasibility Study was completed and at the Board meeting on October 25, 2016, trustees approved the start of FI in North Dufferin effective September 2017.
At the November board meeting, trustees approved a number of recommendations related to the North Dufferin Boundary Review, including the approval of the Option 1 – Modified Implementation Plan, which involves the establishment of a FI program at Centennial Hylands ES, effective September 2017.
The modified plan also involves reassigning a number of Regular Track students to Primrose Elementary School. The modified option reflects a more gradual implementation of boundary changes for both Regular Track and French Immersion students.
For the full list of approved recommendations, please visit www.ugdsb.ca/ndbr.
Specialized Mental Health Support Programs
Trustees received a comprehensive presentation by staff from the board’s Specialized Mental Health Support Programs. These programs include: the Specialized Support Team, Mental Health in Secondary Schools, Specialized Mental Health Interventionists, and the Behaviour/Mental Health Team. All of the programs work together and support schools by ensuring that students receive the mental health program that will best meet their needs.
Annual Environmental Update
The board’s Environmental Lead provided trustees with a summary of the UGDSB’s environmental initiatives and accomplishments from the 2015-16 school year. These initiatives included: ensuring all schools have improvement plans that include environmental goals, successful student events including H2Awesome and Spread the Word, and the UGDSB adopting the Blue Dot Resolution.
The board also ran numerous professional development opportunities for staff. The Second Annual Environmental Teacher Workshop featured four breakout sessions on climate change, taking classes outside, wildlife conservation, and environmental makerspaces. Project Wild at the Summer Institute focused on a conservation education program for K-12 educators.
Last year a record number of UGDSB were certified as EcoSchools and the board’s EcoTeam started an ‘EcoSchool’ initiative for the Guelph Board Office, where staff in the office would also model the exemplary eco-friendly behaviour encouraged by EcoSchools.
An environmental focus this year will be on the impact a lack of nature can have on one’s well-being and creating initiatives that encourage students and staff to get outside.
The next regular monthly meeting will be held by on Tues. Dec. 20, 2016, at the Guelph Board Office, 500 Victoria Road North. Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.
-30-
For more information:
Heather Loney, Communications and Community Engagement Officer
Upper Grand District School Board
519-822-4420 ext.725
[email protected]
Categories: News