GUELPH, Ontario – The January meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on January 26, 2021. The following provides highlights from the meeting.
First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Update
Staff provided an update on highlights of the work done in First Nation, Métis and Inuit education in the 2019-20 school year, as well as work completed and planned for the 2020-21 school year.
Despite the disruptions in the 2019-20 school year, an incredible amount of work was still able to take place. Highlights included:
Supporting educators through professional learning sessions, tours of the Woodland Cultural Centre and former residential school, the Mohawk Institute, and learning at Nancy’s Rowe lodge
Supporting students through visits from elders and knowledge keepers, continuation of the Indigenous knowledge and math project with Dr. Ruth Beatty, and learning sessions with Nancy Rowe and Indigenous youth
When the spring school shutdown occurred, many student learning opportunities and staff professional learning shifted to virtual formats
Also during the shutdown, care packages were sent to Indigenous students and families, support was continued for teachers and community partners, and engaging projects such as mask making inspired by artist Nathalie Bertin were made accessible to students
In 2020-21, the board’s commitment to First Nation, Métis and Inuit education will focus on knowing the history of the land, understanding colonialism and its ongoing impacts on Indigenous communities, recognizing and addressing anti-Indigenous racism, focusing on relationships and reciprocity, and system-wide support of the First Nation, Métis and Inuit Board Action Plan.
Highlights of the work completed and planned for the 2020-21 school year includes:
Virtual professional development sessions for the board’s Program team, NTIP program, administrators, and math and social studies educators
Indigenous staff and Indigenous student leadership committees
Developing and rolling out Indigenous Education guidelines and policy
Live streaming sessions with Indigenous guests
As part of her presentation to trustees, First Nation, Métis, Inuit Education Curriculum Lead Colinda Clyne provided additional learning by discussing colonialism, settler colonialism, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
Director’s Search Update
As previously announced, Director of Education Martha Rogers will be retiring as of August 2021. To conduct the search for a new Director, the board has retained the services of Promeus Inc., a well-known executive search firm. As part of this process, at the January Board Meeting, trustees approved a job advertisement to be distributed both internally and externally. The job advertisement is available on the board website, under Careers. The advertisement will be widely circulated externally by Promeus. Applicants will apply directly to Promeus and information on how to submit an application is contained within the ad. Any inquiries regarding this process should be directed to Promeus.
The next regular monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday Feb. 23, 2021. Meeting details will be posted online at here.
About the Upper Grand District School Board
The Upper Grand District School Board serves more than 35,000 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 4,000 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