Good News
Students Rock Province-Wide Contest
In celebration of National Inclusive Education Month, Community Living Ontario invited elementary school-aged children (ages 4-14) from across the province to participate in a contest that promotes and raises awareness about inclusive education.
The intent was to have students and classes begin to think about inclusion and start a conversation about how a diverse classroom offers better educational experiences for all students.
Receiving many submissions from students across the province, Community Living Ontario announced the winners of 2017 Together, We’re Better Contest and Avon Maitland students placed in 3 categories!
1st place Video
By Ms. Amy Walper-Bedard’s class – Exeter Elementary School – Grade 5/6
3rd Place Poem
By Sydney Dalton – Grade 3 – Seaforth Public School
List Poem
Colin is good at defending others.
Owen is good at reading.
Leah is good at math.
Darren is good at presenter.
Avery is good at gym.
Serenity is good at getting her work done.
Carter is good at word work.
Sydney is good at art.
Trudy is good at helping.
Ron is good runner.
Richie is good at sports.
Layla is good at acting.
Sam is good at writing.
Brayden R. is friendly.
Alice is good at science.
Braedyn is good at organizing.
Tanisha is good at singing.
Sadie is good at dance.
Hannah is good at music.
Rory is good at listening.
Mrs. Rivett is great at seeing what we are all good at and uses these things to help us all work together better!
Honourable Mention Poem
By Lucy, Samantha, Austin, Zaine, and Emma from Goderich Public School for their poem “Included”
For a complete list of all the winners please visit the Community Living website.
Emerging Leadership Development Program
Superintendent Paul Langis announced a new Emerging Leadership Development Program (ELDP).
The Avon Maitland District School Board is committed to growing and developing our staff and the system. All employees, regardless of their position within our Board, play an important role in the continuous improvement of student achievement and well-being through effective leadership. In order to support the goal of leadership development, Avon Maitland District School Board has designed the Emerging Leadership Development Program (ELDP).
The ELDP has been created with the purpose of aligning our leaders with both our Strategic Plan and the Ontario Leadership Framework. Upon completion of the ELDP, employees will have a better understanding of what it means to be an effective leader and allow for potential advancement to key positions within our Board.
Inside the Strategic Plan
Senior Staff each presented key elements that they are focussing on presently in the new 2016-2020 Strategic Plan. They highlighted markers for success to-date and described for the Board what the successes look like in the day-to-day work of their departments and, ultimately, the classroom. For a complete look at the plan please see the strategic plan website.
What are the Benefits of Inclusion?
Dr. Sheila Bennett, Professor, Associate Dean at Brock University, and Dr. Tiffany Gallagher, Associate Professor Director at Brock University presented at tonight’s Committee of the Whole – Open Session.
Dr. Sheila Bennett is co-chair of the Special Education Transformation Document as well as co-author of Special Education in Ontario Schools. Please see excerpts from their presentation. Many community members were in attendance and trustees had an open time whereby they asked questions of the presenters.
As agreed at the last meeting, in response to a parent delegation (Jan. 24, 2017) and after tonight’s presentation, the Board moved that the Avon Maitland District School Board ask the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) to provide the board with processes and strategies for carrying out a review that consists of the following:
- Describes the vision in AMDSB for inclusive education, and in particular for those students with developmental disabilities;
- Outlines the current practices throughout the District with feedback on their effectiveness through input from all stakeholders including but not limited to: students, parents, teachers, EAs, and Administration;
- Identify best practices and opportunities for growth, and as appropriate, provide recommendations to ensure that the vision for inclusive education is realized throughout our District and bring forward a progress report on strategy/process following April SEAC meeting.
SEAC is an advisory committee legislated by the Ministry of Education and appointed by the Board of Education, to assist the board in understanding the special needs of exceptional children and youth, and to advise the board in matters that apply to the delivery of special education services and programs.
The SEAC’s:
- provide important advice on special education to their local board or school authority.
- comprises trustees and representatives of local associations that further the interests and well-being of exceptional children or adults.
- make recommendations to their board on any matter affecting the establishment, development and delivery of special education programs and services for exceptional students.
- must be established at each school board and school authority in Ontario
- have requirements set out in Regulation 464/97
Future Board Meetings
(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
- Tuesday, February 28, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole, Open Session, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
- Tuesday, March 28, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole, Open Session, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
Future Meetings/Events with Trustee Representation
(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
- SEAC: Wednesday, March 1, 2017 – 4:00 p.m.