Board Highlights September 7th
Board of Trustee Meeting Highlights – September 7, 2011
Celebration of the Eucharist
A long-standing tradition for the trustees is celebrating Mass at their first meeting of the school year. The celebrant for Mass was Reverend James Saginarior, parish administrator for Sacred Heart Parish, St. John the Evangelist Parish, St. Louis Mission and St. Mary’s Parish. Laura Pokocky, a teacher from Monsignor Michael O’Leary in Bracebridge provided wonderful music ministry.
Presentations
Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC) Presentation
Superintendent of Human Resources, Darren Schmidt, welcomed Brenda Jackson, Aboriginal Capacity Builder from BANAC and Linda McGregor, Manager, First Nation, Métis and Inuit Initiatives for the board, to the meeting. Brenda Jackson presented a Medicine Wheel plaque to Chair Clayton Ferguson. Brenda explained that these plaques are presented to their partners in recognition of the relationship. Organizations display the Medicine Wheel, which is a sign of welcome to members of the First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities because of its cultural significance.
Plant Summer Projects
Glenn Clarke, Controller of Plant, walked trustees through a presentation that highlighted the numerous major and minor capital projects that took place in many of the Catholic schools across the board during the summer. $47.5 million was spent on additions to St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School, St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School, Father F. X. O’Reilly Catholic School and St. Bernard’s Catholic School, among others. Glenn showed trustees photographs of the projects, highlighting many features, including the prominent crosses that are part of each school. He also described many of the minor renovations including painting projects and green initiatives. Of particular note, Glenn mentioned the roof top garden that is part of the St. Peter’s addition. He acknowledged that this was one of the hopes of the late trustee John Grisé and Glenn was pleased to see John’s dream for a roof top garden become a reality.
Reports
Plant Summer Projects
In addition to the presentation, Controller of Plant Glenn Clarke provided a report to trustees on the summer projects.
Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program/Before and After School Program
The report from Superintendent of Programme and Services Jane Dillon-Leitch and Controller of Plant Glenn Clarke provided trustees with an update on current and new Before and After School Programs that are being offered at various schools throughout the board. These are realized through partnerships with a number of third party daycare providers.
Curriculum Support for New Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten Programs
Superintendent of Programme and Services Jane Dillon-Leitch provided an overview of the meetings, professional development, learning opportunities and curriculum supports that are provided to the full day Kindergarten teams in each school.
Academic Update
Superintendents of Elementary Schools Steve Charbonneau and Ab Falconi and Superintendent of Programme and Services Jane Dillon-Leitch gave trustees highlights of various initiatives occurring throughout the board. These included: summer school, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, Specialist High Skills Major, School Within a College, broad-based technology, student fees, Food and Beverage Policy, First Nation, Métis and Inuit initiatives, Vocalinks – Summer Technology Camps, Parent Reaching Out Grants, eLearning, and summer AQ Religion Course and Summer Institutes held for our teachers.
Enrolment
Superintendent of Secondary Schools Mary Puoplo and Superintendents of Elementary Schools Steve Charbonneau and Ab Falconi updated trustees on enrolment numbers for the coming school year. Further details on enrolment will be available after September 16, 2011. Enrolment numbers are provided to the Ministry of Education on October 31 and March 31 each school year.