GUELPH, Ontario – The October meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on October 22, 2019. The following provides highlights from the meeting.
Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy 2019-2022
The UGDSB’s Mental Health and Addictions Lead Jenny Marino provided an overview of the 2019-2022 Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy. The strategy was developed last year by the Mental Health Leadership Committee with input from a variety of stakeholders including students, school wellness teams, program services staff and more.
The core beliefs of the strategy are that:
The connection between mental well-being and student achievement supports every student’s academic and personal success.
Well-being and positive mental health is a shared responsibility between students, staff, families and community.
Students will benefit from a collaborative and shared pathway of care.
A culture of caring and connectedness fosters positive student growth and achievement.
A safe, inclusive and equitable learning environment will enhance student success.
The four pillars of the strategy are Student Mental Health Awareness & Literacy, Staff Mental Health Awareness & Literacy, Mentally Healthy, Resilient & Safe Communities, and Youth, Family & Community Engagement. Learn more about the strategy.
Renewal Projects 2019-20
Staff from the board’s Capital/Renewal group provided an overview of renewal projects scheduled for this year.
The Capital/Renewal group of the Operations Department is responsible for planning and implementing all new schools, additions, major renovations, energy initiatives and equipment replacement projects in UGDSB schools and administration buildings.
Their goal is to provide safe, serviceable, comfortable and affordable environments for students and staff, while seeking out and supporting environmental stewardship opportunities by linking the buildings to environmental education within the school system.
The department develops a 5-year plan for utilizing the renewal grant from the Ministry of Education. In the fall of each year, the renewal plan is reviewed, revised and work to be implemented in the current year is formalized so that design work can proceed. The plan evolves over time and is updated as needs are prioritized.
Renewal work planned for this year includes five paving projects, eight roofing projects, 10 boiler replacement sites (16 total), seven RTU replacement sites (50 total), energy projects, energy walkthrough audits, general renovations, mechanical/electrical upgrades, and more.
2019 Community Planning and Facility Partnership Report
Each year, the Planning Department prepares a Facility Partnership Report, which provides information on potential facility sharing opportunities within the community.
Through facility partnerships, the UGDSB works with community partners to share facilities to the benefit of the Board, students and the community, and to optimize the use of public assets owned by the Board. Direction for working with community partners is outlined in UGDSB Policy 319 Community Planning and Facility Partnership.
The 2019 report indicates that there are currently no partnership opportunities or suitable surplus spaces available at this time in existing UGDSB facilities. However, staff were directed to consult the board’s Partnership List regarding interest in co-build opportunities at possible future schools and additions in the district.
The board is hosting a partnership meeting to identify interest in future co-build opportunities on Wednesday Nov. 6, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
Elementary Principal/Vice-Principal Transfers and Appointments
The following Principal appointment is effective October 2019:
Daniel Ardis from VP at Princess Elizabeth PS to Acting Principal at Grand Valley DPS
The following Vice-Principal appointments are effective October 2019:
Carol-Anne Sloan from teacher at Minto-Clifford PS to Temporary VP at Princess Elizabeth PS
Kyla Lightfoot from teacher in the Program Department to Temporary VP at Island Lake PS.
Policy Updates
Trustees approved the following revised board policies: Policy 106 Student Trustees and Policy 406 Health and Safety.
Trustees approved the release of draft Policy 213 Code of Conduct for public consultation. The board is seeking feedback on this draft policy until November 21, 2019. To review the draft documents and provide your feedback, please visit Policy 213 Code of Conduct.
To view all UGDSB policies and procedures, and to provide feedback on draft policies, visit.
The next regular monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday Nov. 26, 2019, at the Guelph Board Office, 500 Victoria Road North. Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.
About the Upper Grand District School Board
The Upper Grand District School Board serves approximately 34,000 students through 65 elementary schools and 11 secondary schools in the City of Guelph, County of Wellington and County of Dufferin. The UGDSB covers the ancestral and traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Six Nations of the Grand River, and Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territories. Student success is the goal of over 3,000 dedicated teaching and support staff who are aided by the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners.
Learn, Lead, Inspire…Together
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Media contact:
Heather Loney, Communications and Community Engagement Officer
Upper Grand District School Board
519-822-4420 ext.725
Email Heather Loney
Megan Sicoli, Administrative Officer, Communications
Upper Grand District School Board
519-822-4420 ext.764
Email Megan Sicoli