Good News
High Standing for Downie
The Downie Central Me to We Club chose to take part in the Rick Mercer ‘Spread The Student Challenge’. One member, Jamie Zimmer, told the group how each year over 600,000 people die from malaria and over half the world’s population are at risk of contracting this deadly disease. The club thought that if they could convince Downie Central staff and students to sell 3 bed nets each, they could save over 1000 lives.
The result?
They’ve raised almost $8500. They are in fifth place in national standing. And they will help save over 1700 lives!
If they win they will earn a visit from Rick Mercer. Results will be released the second week of March on the Rick Mercer show.
BAF ( Best Amigos Forever)
Upper Thames Elementary currently has 23 boys and girls from Mexico billetted with Mitchell area families for a 2-week stay ( Feb 19 to Mar 4). They are 10, 11 and 12 years old and are learning alongside our grade 5 and 6 students. There have been trips to Toronto ( CN tower, aquarium), Niagara falls, Stratford (bowling and Rheo Thompson’s and Justin Bieber’s star), a sugar bush tour and curling. Families have also taken the students skiing, tubing, to the beach, and to a recreation center to enjoy the trampoline and to swim. This friendship building and learning experience was brought about through our International Education program.
Me to Oui
50 students in Grade 8 and 9 from across the District attended a five-day intensive french language and outdoor learning experience from Feb 15-19th, 2017.
In the morning students attended immersive language sessions, based on legends and songs. Each afternoon they used snowshoes, skied and practiced their language skills in the community. Our students did a fabulous job representing the District, engaging in conversations, participating in a community talent show and modeling positive and inclusive behaviours.
This program has been made available to students for the past two years as a result of an additional funding grant from the Ministry of Education, whose goal is to improve student confidence and proficiency in French as a Second Language (FSL).
Meet and Greet
Avon Maitland’s soon-to-be Director of Education Dr. Lisa Walsh (starting April 1, 2017) was in attendance tonight and brought greetings to the Board.
“What a culture of innovation Avon Maitland has”, stated Walsh. “I look forward to working with this well-run Board and exploring further the areas of inclusion and digital technology in the classroom. I’d like to thank the Trustees for giving me this opportunity and for making me feel so welcome. I’m very excited to get started in April.”
Approval of Tenders
Roofing at Brookside PS, North Woods ES and FE Madill SS
As part of the ongoing infrastructure improvements to be funded through Ministry capital funding, a tender was let for re-roofing at Brookside Public School, North Woods Public School and F.E. Madill Secondary School.
The Board accepted the tender from Smith Peat Roofing & Sheet Metal Limited for re-roofing at Brookside Public School in the contract amount of $159,895.00, Smith Peat Roofing & Sheet Metal Limited for re-roofing at North Woods Public School in the contract amount of $141,250.00 and Smith Peat Roofing & Sheet Metal Limited for re-roofing at F.E. Madill Secondary School in the amount of $744,670.00.
Please see the full report.
Mechanical Upgrades at Sprucedale PS
As part of the ongoing infrastructure improvements to be funded through Ministry facility grants, mechanical work was identified as required in the main hall’s classrooms, gym, library and administration area at Sprucedale PS. The work includes upgrades to the original 1964 ventilation and heating systems with a new ventilation system that will provide improved indoor air quality to meet current standards and improve the overall system efficiency. Work also includes washroom upgrades to replace the high flow fixtures with new water efficient and economical low flow fixtures.
The Board accepted the tender from Stratford Metal Products Limited for mechanical upgrades at Sprucedale Public School in the amount of $403,144.45.
Please see the full report.
HVAC Upgrades at South Huron District HS
As part of the ongoing infrastructure improvements to be funded through Ministry facility grants, mechanical work was identified as required in the gymnasium and in the east end classrooms on the second floor at SHDHS. The work includes replacing the original hot water air handling units serving these areas and replacing them with air handling systems that will provide demand-controlled ventilation for improved indoor air quality and better efficiency. Work also includes upgrading fire separations between the corridors and occupied spaces to meet current code requirements.
The Board accepted the tender from Brad Baker Plumbing, Heating & Electrical Inc. for mechanical upgrades at South Huron District High School in the amount of $432,253.25.
Please see the full report.
Renewed Math Strategy
Ontario’s Renewed Mathematics Strategy (RMS) is an Early Years to Grade 12 strategy that helps school boards bring support to a select group of schools with the greatest needs in mathematics. It includes a focus on the strengths and needs of students with learning disabilities, and in secondary schools, on the strengths and needs of students taking compulsory courses in Applied Mathematics.
The following are the four key objectives of the RMS:
- 1. increased student achievement, well-being and engagement in mathematics;
- 2. increased educator math knowledge and pedagogical expertise;
- 3. increased leader use of knowledge of effective mathematics pedagogy to provide the necessary supports and conditions for school and system improvement;
- 4. increased parent engagement in their children’s mathematics learning.
Key Deliverables of the RMS Strategy
- all students in Grades 1 to 8 will have 60 minutes each day of math instruction
- all elementary schools will identify a Math Lead teacher
- one Professional Development day will be dedicated to numeracy learning
- additional qualifications courses pertaining to mathematics will be subsidized for teachers
- all teachers of mathematics in grades 1 to 8, and those teaching grade 9 Applied mathematics and all elementary school administrators will be involved in strategic professional learning related to mathematics instruction and assessment elementary mathematics facilitator role will be funded
Please see our document outlining Avon Maitland’s specific indicators of success and strategies currently and into 2018.
Expense Statements
Please see the expense statements covering the actual expenses for the period September 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017.
Future Board Meetings
(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
- Tuesday, March 28, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole, Open Session, 7:30 p.m. Student Advisory Committee, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
- Tuesday, April 11, 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)
- HPSTS: Tuesday, February 28, 2017 – 3:00 p.m.
- SEAC: Wednesday, March 1, 2017 – 4:00 p.m.
- SAL: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 – 8:30 a.m.
- Joint Health and Safety Committee: Thursday, March 30, 2017 – 1:30 p.m.
- Parent Involvement Committee: Wednesday, April 5, 2017 – 5:30 p.m.
- AODA: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 – 4:00 p.m.