Good News
Avon Maitland students are in the midst of an exciting exchange with Pangnirtung and Cape Dorset (Nunavut) students. Made possible through Stratford Northwestern’s EatFit Project and YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada, the exchange includes students from 3 Avon Maitland high schools:
- St Marys (DCVI)
- Stratford Central (SCSS)
- Stratford Northwestern (NWSS)
The students participated in excursions on the land to the arctic circle. They visited a commercial fishing operation and learned all about the Inuit people over the course of the week.
The EatFit team brought donated skates for community kids and a professional rowing machine for the fitness room in the school (which they raised funds for). They also taught cooking classes and yoga while NHL Stanley Cup Champion Greg de Vries took to the ice with a few local hockey teams to lead practices.
More about A Happy Exchange with Pangnirtung and Cape Dorsetsee.
International Education
Superintendent Jodie Baker acknowledged the good work of her international education staff as she highlighted current programming of the initiative and forecasted the number of international students Avon Maitland will have the pleasure of hosting in 2017-2018.
As it stands, just under 60 students representing 8 countries are set to learn alongside Avon Maitland students next year. The countries represented will be Brazil, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam.
Report of the Special Education Advisory Committee
The Avon Maitland District School Board asked the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) to provide the board with the processes and strategies for carrying out a review that consists of the following:
- Describe the vision in AMDSB for inclusive education, and in particular for those students with developmental disabilities;
- Outline 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 that a progress report on strategies/processes be brought forward following the April SEAC meeting.
Special Education Advisory Committee Report.
It was recommended by SEAC that the AMDSB consider the following when moving forward with new research:
- Scope: representative and proportional sample size
- Be mindful of the cost
- Avoid unnecessary duplication of previous researched stakeholder groups if not necessary
- Stakeholders who have been interviewed for previous research might not be considered for new research
In addition, the school board should partner with Brock University because:
- The ethics clearance is currently open
- The past history of satisfaction with the quality of research conducted to date
- The previous literature review has been completed; would just require an updated review
- The timeliness of research is expedited because the ethics clearance is open
Next Steps
Research timeframe and cost estimates will be determined by staff and, based on their findings, the Board will make a decision on next steps at their next meeting on May 9, 2017.
Approval of Tender: Masonry, Windows and Doors at Listowel District Secondary School
The project at Listowel District Secondary School includes repointing of all masonry on the north, west and south elevations of the school, window replacements to the north and west elevation classrooms, as well as window replacement in the welding shop and infill of windows in the drama room. Work also includes five exterior door system replacements to the north, west, and east elevations. Grants for Student Needs (GSNs) 2017/2018
Report on masonry, windows and doors at Listowel District Secondary School.
The Avon Maitland District School Board accepted the tender from Feltz Design Build Ltd., for masonry, windows and doors at Listowel District Secondary School in the tender amount of $307,075.55.
Future Board Meetings
(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
- Tuesday, April 25, 2017 – 7:30 p.m. Student Advisory Committee, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
- Tuesday, May 9, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole, Open Session, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
- Tuesday, May 23, 2017 – 7:30 p.m. Student Advisory Committee, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
- June 13, 2017 – 5:00 p.m. Finance Committee, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
- June 27, 2017 – 5:00 p.m. 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)
- Audit Committee: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 – 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Recognition and Service Awards Committee: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 – 5:30 p.m.
- Ad Hoc Policy Committee: Tuesday, April 25, 2017, immediately following Closed Session
- AODA: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 – 4:00 p.m.
- Excellence in Education Banquet: Wednesday, May 3, 2017
- Huron Perth Student Transportation Services: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 – 2:30 p.m.
- SEAC: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 – 4:00 p.m.
- Student Senators Symposium: Friday, May 12, 2017 (more details to follow)
- PIC: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 – 5:30 p.m.
- Finance Committee: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 – 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- Finance Committee: Tuesday, June 6, 2017 – 5:00 p.m.
- AMDSB Recognition Reception: Wednesday, June 7, 2017 – 5:30 p.m.
- Audit Committee: Tuesday, June 20, 2017 – 5:00 p.m.