Board Highlights December 14th
Board of Trustees Meeting Highlights – Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Opening Prayer
The opening prayer and reflection, led by Trustee Jeanny Salmon and Student Trustee Jessica Bews, was Advent: Rejoicing in Hope. The reading was from the Gospel of Luke. Here is the closing prayer:
Loving God,
As we draw nearer to the birth of your Son,
Guide us in our worship.
Teach us to be better followers of your Word.
May our love be greater than yesterday,
Increase today,
And continue to grow beyond tomorrow.
Presentations
Christmas Card 2011
Diane Legg, Director of Communications and Public Affairs introduced Alyssa Almeida, a Grade 10 student from Holy Trinity Catholic High School. Alyssa is the student whose artwork was chosen for the board’s 2011 Christmas card. Alyssa’s family and her Principal Heinrich Bebie were also present for the presentation. Diane indicated that Teacher Andrew Burke was asked to take on the project and had done an amazing job. He led his Grade 10 students on a task of creating this year’s Christmas card, ensuring they reflected our faith. Chair Clayton Ferguson thanked Alyssa and presented her with a framed copy of the Christmas card.
Board Improvement Plan
Superintendent of Programme and Services Jane Dillon-Leitch walked the trustees through the board’s 2011 – 2012 Board Improvement Plan. She indicated that the board plan reflects each of the 53 individual school improvement plans that the schools worked on. It is based on many factors, including all the assessment of student learning that is contained in a variety of data. The plan is created every year, with a goal of improving student learning and is very tailored to each school’s and students’ needs.
Reports
Committee Appointments
Chair Clayton Ferguson made the following appointments of trustees to the various board committees:
Special Education Advisory Committee – Carol Corriveau-Truchon and Catherine MacDonald. Alternates – Maria Hardie and Jeanny Salmon
Discipline Committee – Clayton Ferguson and Connie Positano. Alternates – Catherine MacDonald and Jeanny Salmon
Audit Committee – Francis Smith, Chair, Shawn Cooper and Jeanny Salmon
Selection Committee – Audit – Clayton Ferguson
Parent Involvement Committee – Carol Corriveau-Truchon
Supervised Alternative Learning Committee – Jeanny Salmon
Board Policy Review Committee – Maria Hardie, Chair, Shawn Cooper, Connie Positano, Catherine MacDonald and Jessica Bews
Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium – Maria Hardie
Catholic Education Centre Facilities Committee – Clayton Ferguson – Chair, Maria Hardie, Connie Positano and Francis Smith
Joint Task Force – Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board/Simcoe County District School Board – Clayton Ferguson, Chair, Connie Positano and Catherine MacDonald
North Barrie Pupil Accommodation Review Committee – Maria Hardie and Connie Positano
School Naming Committee
Trustees approved the development of an Ad Hoc Committee to recommend a name to the Board of Trustees for the renovated Catholic school in Angus.
Board Improvement Plan for Student Learning 2011 – 2012
A copy of the Board Improvement Plan, which Jane Dillon-Leitch had presented, was also provided to trustees.
Student Trustee Elect
A report from Superintendent of Secondary Schools Mary Puopolo indicated that Emily Checchetti, as student from Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Bradford West Gwillimbury was elected the student trustee elect from January 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012 and as student trustee from August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013.
2012 – 2013 School Year Calendar
Trustees were provided with information on the process for establishing the calendar for the next school year. The report outlined the consultation process for the draft calendars and also the Ministry of Education requirements for school year calendars.
Gymnasium Flooring Standards in Elementary Schools
Trustees were provided a report on the history and status of types of gym flooring in our Catholic elementary schools. Along with the details were outlines of the pros and cons of each type of flooring, as well as costs of the different types of flooring. Following discussion, trustees asked for more information and a further report.