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Highlights of the January 2014 board meeting

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release
January 31, 2014

GUELPH, Ontario — The January 2014 meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on Tuesday, January 28. The following provides highlights from the meeting.

Delegations 

Seven delegations appeared before the Board. Six of the presenters asked for trustees’ support of the James McQueen Boundary Review Scenario Nine – Modified and requested the consideration of a French Immersion (FI) Centre in the Centre Wellington area. One delegation, speaking to the New Rockwood Elementary School Boundary Review, asked for grandfathering of children enrolled in the FI program at Brisbane PS and their siblings at that school instead of Rockwood. This affects only two families who wish their children to continue on to Erin PS for grades 7 and 8 and to Erin District HS for grades 9-12.

James McQueen Boundary Review 

Trustees confirmed their support for the new Scenario Nine – Modified of the James McQueen Boundary Review. The board presented this scenario at the Business Operations Committee on January 14, to replace staff’s Scenario One, which would split the FI program among three schools. This provides the following grade and Program structures effective September 2014:

The board will also consider the objective of a FI Centre in creating its Long Term Accommodation Plan. Boundary maps can be found on the board’s website at www.ugdsb.ca/jmbr.

New Rockwood Elementary School Boundary Review 

The board ratified their decision that the new Rockwood elementary school, currently under construction in the village, will be a Dual Track (DT) school for grades JK-grade 5. Rockwood Centennial PS will be a JK-grade 8 RT school, and also accommodate Grade 6-8 FI students. The Rockwood FI students will continue on to John F. Ross CVI for secondary school. The boundaries of Brisbane PS and Erin PS were also affected. Boundary maps are on the board’s website at www.ugdsb.ca/rbr.

An additional motion was placed to grandparent the students and siblings of the two families who delegated the Board at Brisbane public school. Please see the board’s media release from January 30, 2014.

Environmental Sustainability Action Plan 2014-2019

Introduced by Carlo Zen, Superintendent of Student Success, and Superintendent of Program Tracey Lindsay, facilitator Judith Nyman presented the report and its recommendations. It was noted that it is an ambitious plan that adopts the vision approved by the Environmental Education and Management Committee (EEMC), co-chaired by Zen and Lindsay. The report also asked for approval, in principle, of an Environmental Stability Coordinator position for a three-year renewable term (subject to budget prioritization), annual reports, and plan revisions as needed, among other recommendations. The EEMC is composed of the co-chairs, teachers, students, trustees and board department representatives. Sarah Mason, a student on the committee spoke about her passion for the environment, the plan of action created by the committee and the changes in behavior and attitudes it could bring to the board, its school, students and staff. A motion to defer the report and its recommendations to the February 11 meeting of the Business Operations Committee was approved by the board. Although the facilitator will not be able to attend that meeting, there will be ample time for questions and the deferral will give trustees an opportunity to review the report and its recommendations and bring issues forward.

Trustees appointed to French as a Second Language Committee

Trustees Kathryn Cooper, Susan Moziar and Linda Busuttil were appointed to the French as a Second Language Committee. The committee will provide input and revisions to the board’s 3-year plan, “A Framework for French as a Second Language, Kindergarten to Grade 12.” The committee will also assist with developing a long-term (10-year) plan. Goals of the committee include the provision of professional development for teachers, French cultural experiences for students, increased academic achievement in French as a Second Language, and an increase in student, parent, and community engagement.

Wellington Dufferin Youth Charter of Rights

Presented at the Program Committee meeting earlier in the month, the Youth Charter of Rights, which was only received at that time, was endorsed by the board. The Charter was developed with the assistance of young people across Wellington and Dufferin Counties. It puts the health and well- being of young people first, in a partnership among communities, families, and all levels of government. The chair will write to Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health with details of the endorsement. The Children’s Charter of Rights was endorsed by the board a few years ago.

Charter of Commitment for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education

A Charter of Commitment developed by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) was considered for endorsement by the board. It directs the board to join with OPSBA in asking the Federal government to commit to a shared approach with First Nations to the development of legislation and equitable funding in education for First Nation children. The background provided to trustees discusses the intent and vision, principles and goals of the Charter. Trustees endorsed the Charter and will write to OPSBA indicating the Board’s support.

Yorklands Green Hub

The board endorsed the vision of the Yorklands Green Hub Committee to create a self-sustaining education, demonstration and research hub on the provincially-owned former Guelph Correctional Centre (GCC) lands. The possibility of students learning about the environment and sustainability at the Hub was noted. Planning is in its infancy at the moment, and trustees endorsed the vision at this point. A letter will be written to the Yorklands Green Hub to provide this information.

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The next regular monthly meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board will be held beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at the Guelph Board Office, 500 Victoria Road North. Everyone is welcome to attend. 

 

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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