GUELPH, Ontario – The June meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on June 28, 2022. The following provides highlights from the meeting.
Multi-Year Plan Update
UGDSB Trustees approved approve the Multi-Year Plan (MYP) as outlined in Executive Report “Multi-Year Plan 2022-2026.”
A school board’s multi-year plan establishes the key directions that guide the organization’s actions for the students and communities that it serves. The multi-year plan should articulate priorities that are future oriented, inclusive, and measurable.
The UGDSB Multi-Year Plan, 2022-2026 includes:
A statement of purpose;
A vision statement;
Five strategic priorities: one foundational and four pillars; and
Three strategic enablers
The MYP Development Process involved building awareness, holding multiple Trustee working sessions, extensive engagement and feedback opportunities, and regular reports to the Board.
For next steps, the development of a draft Board Action Plan/Board Improvement and Equity Plan (BIEP), outlining how the MYP 2022-2026 will be operationalized, including progress measures, will be undertaken. An update will be provided at the August 2022 Board Meeting. Visual representations and branding of the MYP will also be initiated through a separate process upon approval of the Multi-Year Plan, 2022-2026.
“After an extensive process working as a Board of Trustees and compiling voice from students, staff, families and our partners in education, I am very pleased with the outcome of the Multi-Year Plan Process,” said UGDSB Chair Linda Busuttil. “The MYP sets the direction and vision for the UGDSB’s work over the next four years. I am looking forward to seeing the operationalization of the MYP by staff and the plans that will carry out the vision of the MYP through concrete action.”
Principal and Vice-Principal Transfers and Appointments
The following Principal and Vice-Principal Transfers and Appointments are effective September 1, 2022.
Elementary Principal Transfers:
Kaye Martin from Principal at Hyland Heights PS to Principal at Island Lake PS
Sean Singh from Principal at Island Lake PS to Principal Hyland Heights PS
Olivier Cutz from Principal at Rockwood Centennial PS to Principal Edward Johnson PS
Reena Anand from Principal at Brisbane PS to Principal at Rockwood Centennial PS
Mike Anderson from Principal at the Elementary Remote Program to Principal at Mitchell Woods PS
Amy Ewing from Principal at Waverley Drive PS to Principal at Central PS
Jonathan Walker from Principal of Program at the Grant Evans Education Centre to Principal at Waverley Drive PS
Jill Woytko from Principal at June Avenue PS to Principal at Westwood PS
Mark Turner from Principal at Princess Margaret PS to Principal at June Avenue PS
Paul Huddleston from Principal at Erin PS to Principal at Parkinson Centennial PS
Amanda Coulombe from Principal at John Galt PS to Principal Erin PS
Sean Cameron from Principal at Ottawa Crescent PS to Principal at John Galt PS
Adnan Shahbaz from Principal at Westwood PS to System Principal of Equity
Carrie Conrad from System Principal in Early Learning, Manager & NTIP Lead, to Principal of Program-Literacy
Hayley Holm from Acting Principal at Brant Avenue PS to Principal at Brant Avenue PS
Marianne Millsap from Acting Principal at Primrose ES to Principal at Primrose ES
Lena Federico from Acting Principal at East Garafraxa PS to Principal at East Garafraxa PS
Elementary Principal Appointments:
Jackie Irwin from Vice Principal at Glenbrook PS to Principal at Glenbrook PS
Jennifer Oussoren from Vice Principal at Waverley Drive PS to Principal at Brisbane PS
Ruby Delil from Vice Principal at Peel DSB to Principal at Ottawa Crescent PS
Andrea Papavasiliou from Vice Principal at Hyland Heights ES to Acting Principal at Princess Margaret PS
April Romanelli from Vice Principal at Peel DSB to Principal at Grand Valley DPS
Elementary Vice-Principal Transfers:
Jill Tutty from Vice Principal at Ken Danby PS to Vice Principal at Rickson Ridge PS
Derek Tellis from Vice Principal at Sir Isaac Brock PS to Vice Principal at Ken Danby PS
Sarah Sinkovits from Vice Principal at Rickson Ridge PS to Vice Principal at Sir Isaac Brock PS
Dawn Airdrie Donovan from Vice Principal at Elora PS to Vice Principal at Waverley Dr. PS
Keith Coutu from Vice Principal at the Elementary Remote Program to Vice Principal at Erin PS
Theresa Darroch from Vice Principal at Willow Road PS to Vice Principal at Aberfoyle PS
Jamie Wouters from Vice Principal at Centennial Hylands ES to Vice Principal at Hyland Heights ES
Elementary Vice-Principal Appointments:
Michael Steer from Acting Vice Principal at Peel DSB to Vice Principal at Glenbrook PS
Emma Reay from Teacher at Jean Little PS to Temporary Vice Principal at Elora PS
Spencer Anderson from Teacher at Arbour Vista PS to Vice Principal at Willow Road PS
Jackie Speers from Elementary Consultant to Vice Principal at Drayton PS
Cassie Broadhead from Temporary Vice Principal at Taylor Evans PS to Vice Principal at Taylor Evans PS
Jeffrey Gonsalves from Teacher at York Region DSB to Vice Principal at Centennial Hylands ES
Secondary Principal Appointments:
Janine Grin from Acting Principal at Centre Wellington District High School to Principal at Centre Wellington District High School
Secondary Vice-Principal Transfers:
Albert Boutin from Vice Principal at Centre Wellington District High School to Vice Principal at Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute
Kevin Taylor from Vice Principal at Wellington Heights Secondary School to Vice Principal at Centre Wellington District High School
Carolyn Chesney from Vice Principal at John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute to Vice Principal at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute
Amie Willoughby from Vice Principal at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute to Vice Principal at John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute
Jeff Weddig from Vice Principal at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute to Vice Principal at Erin DHS
Secondary Vice-Principal Appointments:
Kaley Kowaluk-Mainland from Temporary Vice Principal at Orangeville District Secondary School to Vice Principal at Orangeville District Secondary School
Christopher Fiddes from Temporary Vice Principal at Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute to Vice Principal at Wellington Heights Secondary School
Learning Recovery Plan Update
Staff provided an update on the progress of the UGDSB’s Learning Recovery Plan. As a part of the province’s efforts to support learning recovery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, new funding was being allocated for the 2021-22 school year for tutoring support programs. The goals of the support are to: improve literacy and numeracy skills in students to promote learning recovery and help address achievement and skills development gaps; increase students’ engagement in learning; and increase students’ confidence and positive attitudes to learning.
The UGDSB’s Learning Recovery Plan consists of three phases for both elementary and secondary students.
Elementary:
Phase 1, the Early Reading Support Program, began this school year. Thirty-seven schools across Upper Grand are currently participating in the Early Reading Support Program. Twenty-five Early Reading Teachers are engaged in ongoing training, systematic targeted instruction and data collection for the 756 students, in Grades 1-3, being supported. In addition to the Early Reading Support Teachers that are currently working in 37 schools, all schools have access to up to 10 hours of weekly tutor support.
Additionally, 3 schools across Upper Grand are currently participating in the Intermediate Reading Support Program. Two Intermediate Reading Teachers are engaged in ongoing training, systematic targeted instruction and data collection for the 42 students.
Secondary:
Phase 1 of the Secondary Learning Support Program involved all 11 secondary schools, with 52 sections of Learning Support for 426 students. The target areas for growth are literacy, numeracy, foundational skills, some English as a Second Language work, taught in authentic situations where students may be in jeopardy of not attaining credits. Priority is given to students who would benefit from additional supports to increase student engagement, achievement, and ultimately, credit accumulation.
Both elementary and secondary panels will provide Phase 2 supports in the summer, and Phase 3 supports in the 2022-23 school year.
Mental Health Update
The UGDSB’s Mental Health and Additions Lead Jenny Marino provided an update on supports and work in mental health in the UGDSB this spring and information about the summer.
Direct student supports focused on this June included wrapping up specialized team placements, consolidation of the year-long Wellness Works initiative, enhanced awareness about student heightened stress levels, engaging in raising awareness about community supports available including the availability of the Grove Hubs for Guelph/Wellington and supports from Dufferin Child and Family Services as well as Family Transition Place in Dufferin.
System level work has included initiating the Mental Health Leadership Committee to begin work on the new Strategy for Student Mental Health and Well-Being 2023-2026, planning for Wellness Works 2022-23, reviewing the Mental Health Action Plan for the current year, and more.
For the summer, widespread messaging will be provided to schools and families regarding supports and programs available in the summer; the UGDSB will once again offer a Summer Mental Health Support Line; specialized staff working during the summer will support high-needs students; and more.
Policy Updates
Trustees approved the following board policy:
Policy 318 Responsible Use of Digital Technologies be approved.
Trustees deferred Policy 205 School Volunteers to the August Board Meeting and directed staff to obtain legal counsel and advice regarding section 2.5 of the policy.
COVID-19 Update
Staff shared the final COVID-19 Monthly Update of the 2021-23 school year.
The presentation shared updates since the last monthly report, including information on absenteeism and COVID-19 cases. Over the course of the last month absenteeism rates and the prevalence of COVID-19 in UGDSB schools continued to decline rapidly, as they have in the broader community. With the nicer weather, many UGDSB classrooms took advantage of the outdoors and in general absenteeism reduced significantly amongst both staff and students.
The presentation provided a summary of the supports, changes and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic that were shared in the monthly report over the course of the year.
The presentation also provided a summary of the COVID-19 measures in place for UGDSB summer programming and preparations for 2022-23, as well as indications from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health about moving to restore many of their programs that have been paused over the past two years as the health unit focused on pandemic responses.
The presentation also shared highlights of the board’s continued focus on Mental Health and Wellness supports.