Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board Board of Trustees Meeting Highlights

April 24, 2017

Acknowledgement of Traditional Territory Theresa Coburn, Indigenous Education Lead, opened the meeting with the Acknowledgement of Traditional Territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. The acknowledgement is recognition of and respect for Aboriginal Peoples, recognition of their presence both in the past and the present. Recognition and respect are essential elements of establishing healthy, reciprocal relations and these relationships are key to reconciliation.

A land acknowledgement is:

• A formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous People and their traditional territories.

• To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on and a way of honouring the Aboriginal people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial.

• To understand the long standing history that has brought you to reside on the land, and to seek to understand your place within that history.

• Indigenous protocol. • A reflection process in which you build mindfulness and intention walking into whatever gathering

you are having.

April’s Virtue~ Forgiveness

Being forgiving is giving someone another chance after they have done something wrong, knowing that everyone makes mistakes. It is making amends instead of taking revenge. In the words of Mother Teresa, “It is by being forgiving that one is forgiven.” And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4.32

Let’s Pray

Director’s Report ~ Jamie McKinnon, Director of Education

Renewing the Promise ~ Public Consultations The process continues with public consultations scheduled May 2 at Sacred Heart High School Walkerton and May 3 at St. Mary’s High School Owen Sound. Participate in our online consultations or join us May 2 or 3. More information is available on our website.

Walking forward together in Grace – An evening with Bishop Miehm to support new Canadians in Bruce and Grey Counties We are pleased to confirm that Bishop Miehm will be joining us for this very special fundraising event, May 17 at the Hanover Columbus Centre. Purchase your tickets ($35.00 each) online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/bruce-grey-catholic-district-school-board-charitable-trust/events/walking-forward-together-in-grace/. Or donate to the live or silent auction by contacting 519-364-5820 X268, or doreen_schultz@bgcdsb.org

Upcoming Theology on Tap Events There are two upcoming Theology on Tap events. Join us Tuesday May 9 at Walker’s Landing in Walkerton with Fr. Con O’Mahoney, “Called to BE People of Silence”, and Thursday June 15 at Coffin Ridge Winery with Christina Mines and Sarah Guinta, “Called to BE People of Justice”. For more information or to RSVP contact cathy_kelly@bgcdsb.org, 519-364-5820 X235

STEAM Faire May 5 at P&H Centre Hanover This day of discovery is for grade 3 - 6 students in our board. What is STEAM? And where does this fit in the curriculum? STEAM is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. The day is set up for staff and students to explore by making, doing, and learning through hands-on experiences that coincide with a vast number of curriculum connections. To an outsider visiting the STEAM faire it may look chaotic, but make no mistake, you will see students engaged and driving their own learning. The day begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m.

Let’s Learn

Mission Trips to Nicaragua

Mike Kirby, Chaplain at St. Mary’s High School Owen Sound, along with parent volunteer Andy Evans and students Natalie and Rebecca, shared their experiences from their recent mission trip to Nicaragua. Follow this link to see the SMHS presentation.

Teachers Meridith White and Sarah Gatto, along with Jenna Fotheringham and Sophie Borho, shared the stories of students from Sacred Heart High School Walkerton from their recent mission trip to Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos in Nicaragua (through Friends of the Orphans Canada). Follow this link for the SHHS presentation.

Thank you to both groups for sharing their experiences, and to the teachers and parents who volunteered, and helped to provide this ‘life-altering’ experience for our students. All were humbled and deeply touched by the people and places they encountered on their travels.

Let’s Shine

Grants for Student Needs (GSN) Funding

Each year the ministry provides funds to school boards through a series of grants. The 2017-2018 Grants for Student Needs (GSN) was released on Wednesday April 12. The video and supporting documentation can be found at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/funding.html

For more information on education funding visit 2017-18 Education Funding: A Guide to the Grants for Student Needs

Student Trustee Reports:

Sofia Tiu & Dorian Charette (Trustee Elect) Sacred Heart High School Walkerton

Catholicity • Reconciliation Service for Grade 9’s, April 6th! There were four priests to perform

confession after the prayer service • All religion teachers went to St. Jerome’s for a Social Justice Conference on April

5th • April 10th had the Canadian Food Grains come and speak in the cafeteria to

religion, science, and math classes; justice and poverty, environmental stewardship • April 13th, most of the religion classes, watch The Shack. The Shack is about a girl who gets

abducted and her father’s struggling faith. • During Holy Week, we had Stations of the Cross happening for most religion classes in the chapel • Continued the 100 SC Club throughout April as well! 100 granola boxes for the food bank; belts,

floss, dental products, feminine products, juice boxes for mission trip; inspirational quotes, signatures on rights for Doctors to decide whether or not they choose to euthanize, and inches of hair!

• During Lent, a 100 people worked at the food bank • Easter Mass was held on April 18th at the Sacred Heart church, celebrated by Father Andrew. The

mass was held by Mr. Wilkinson and the boy’s rugby team! • Ladies Night Out - Trades Night was once again held on April 5th, the turn-out was great and just as

successful as the first time! • Next week, all pro-life pamphlets go out to all homeroom classes. Pro-life presentation in the

cafeteria for all religion and science teachers. This is sponsored by the SH parish and KofC • The SH Parish is collecting clothing donations for the Toronto Trip • Sunday April 9th SHHS Crusaders participated in the Youth Mass for Palm Sunday • GSA has started in April! There have been two sessions so far, as well as 4 support staff members. • Meditation Monday’s are continuing with Mrs. Carroll and Mr. Dunn • Throughout Lent, there are various students reading a Station of the Cross from the Adolescent

Adaptation on morning announcements • Tuesday Chapel Masses continue with Father Andrew for various classes that sign up

Academics

• No school April 14th as it was Good Friday, and April 17th as it was Easter Monday. • Gym classes are rock climbing from April 24th to 28th • Mr. Legace, along with his Outdoor Ed class, will be going to Jones Bluff on a hiking trip on April

26th • Midterm report cards will be issued to students on April 27th

Athletics • The rugby Doogie Cup will be held on April 28th • Caleb Manion, Sophie Borho, and Rhys Martin all participated at CWOSSA for badminton! Sophie

and Rhys won two matches and lost two matches, making them tied with another team for 7th place overall.

• Senior boys soccer has had two exhibition tournaments, both were well-played! • The official soccer season for boys and girls begins the week of April 24th • The Junior Boys Hockey team won first place at the Guelph tournament!

Extra-Curricular Activities

• Campaigning for next school years SAC’s President and Vice President begin on April 24th and voting will take place on April 28th

• SAC’s Social Awareness Committee hosted the Relay Rally to kick off the start of SHHS 2017 Relay For Life!

Molly Hilts & Alexandra Rodgers (Trustee Elect) St. Mary’s High School Owen Sound (no written report available)

Let’s Inspire

Capital Plan Update

A parent information night is scheduled for Tuesday April 25 at St Mary’s High School to discuss future option for Owen Sound schools in recognition of the need for additional student spaces.

Blessing and Ribbon Cutting at Sacred Heart School Mildmay

A Blessing and Ribbon Cutting was held at Sacred Heart School Mildmay on April 21 to celebrate the new addition, which includes two large bright Kindergarten classrooms with a shared sensory space between them, a new Literacy Room, and increased custodial space and storage. Improvements also provided a new entry, gym floor, and kitchen with servery. On hand for the celebrations were Monsignor Kroetsch from the Diocese of Hamilton, Fr. Duy Van Nguyen, Pastor Sacred Heart Parish, Lisa Thompson, MPP Huron-Bruce, Robert Buckle, Mayor of South Bruce, and Jennifer Brown, Ministry of Education - Education Officer, Barrie Region. The celebration also included students, parents, staff, trustees, and the architects and contractor for the project.

Strategic Plan Update

Suzanne White, Superintendent of Human Resources, provided an update on work being done on the “Let’s Inspire” pillar of the Strategic Plan, “to provide a progressive and inclusive organizational culture of excellence rooted in gospel values.”

The following is a summary of the four goals of Let’s Inspire and the initiatives that have been addressed.

1. Students and staff will be technologically fluent lifelong learners.

Initiatives Actions

Expansion of the staff portal Currently staff access pay statements and Criminal Offence Declarations through the portal. An area for job postings will be added in the near future

2. Enhance and promote leadership opportunities that engage all staff, to build capacity, effectiveness and success planning.

Initiatives Actions

Identify train and develop aspiring and current leaders

The Board Leadership Development Strategy committee meets to discuss talent management and succession planning

Thursday May 24 – The Future of Leadership at BGCDSB – Called to Serve – A discussion on the role and future of leadership in Catholic Schools

Continue to partner with Niagara University Master’s Program in Educational Leadership

New cohort commenced in January 2017

Continue to partner with Huron Perth CDSB, London CDSB and Kings University College to provide the Principal Qualifications Program parts 1 and 2

PQP 1 to start in the fall of 2017

Support From Information to Transformation – a Diocesan partnership with 6 boards, St. Jerome’s University, OCSOA and ICE – this is a 2 year program designed to build a foundation in theological reflection for emerging leaders in Catholic institutions

6 staff members currently enrolled

Establishing a comprehensive health and safety orientation program for all employee groups

All new employees are required to complete

Develop a Teacher Recruitment Committee to review recruitment practices, packages and branding.

Expanded recruitment initiatives, new recruitment banners and packages, increased efficiencies in the posting and recruitment process, use of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

3. Every student has the opportunity to experience hope and belief they can learn and contribute.

Initiatives Actions

(this section will be reported on at a later date by the academic superintendents)

4. Address the well-being of staff by supporting personal and professional growth.

Initiatives Actions

Build Capacity to access mental health supports: Not Myself Today

This workplace mental health initiative helps build greater awareness, reduce stigma, and foster safe and supportive cultures; EFAP highly utilized. Absenteeism rate lower in 2015/16 than 2014/15, well below the industry norm.

Develop supports to increase and promote physical health

Annual Walking Challenge commencing April 24; EAP monthly newsletter – excellent resources and links

Provide a safe and supportive work place for all

Across the board training for all staff, increased training for custodial staff, coop students receive training in young worker safety awareness and WHMIS, developing 3 year plan for student injury prevention for tech, science, art and phys ed

For the detailed strategic plan including the goals for all four pillars and related initiatives, visit our website.

SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee) Trustee Mike Lemme attended the SEAC meeting April 13 at Mother Teresa School Walkerton. Elizabeth Groenewegen shared an update on upcoming fundraising events for VOICE. Principal Paul Wild spoke about special education at the school. Special Education Consultant Theresa Harrietha presented information on provincial demonstration schools for students with learning disabilities, and blind or hard of hearing students. Science & Technology Fair Trustee Mike Lemme also attended the Senior Science Fair in Owen Sound and helped to present awards to students. He was very impressed with the many projects and would like to invite students to present to the board and display projects at the Catholic Education Centre. Director Jamie McKinnon was on hand for the Junior Fair to present student awards. Mental Health Advisory Committee Report Chair Bev Eckensweiler attended the Mental Health Advisory Committee meeting. This group meets twice a year, chaired by Mental Health Lead Ann-Marie Deas. Information was shared on the many initiatives active in our schools: mental health champions, mental health in the early years, and mental health in math. A mental health virtual tapestry is being prepared for Mental Health Week, May 1 to 5, to showcase the great work being done in our schools. Check out the Visual Tapestry on the Mental Health Matters page of board website. Information was also shared about the Bruce Grey We Care Share Event, May 12 at the Saugeen Shores Community Complex.

Board Policy and Administrative Procedures

The following Policies and Procedures are currently being held for the Policy Review Committee May 1, 2017:

• BP 6-14 Child Care • BP 10-1 Religion and Family Life • BP 8-6 School Staffing • BP 9-7 Permanent Teaching Staff

June 20, 2017

• BP 6-32/33 and BP 8/15 Acceptable Use of Technology/Websites/Email/BYOD • BP 6-16 Progress Reports

Policies and Procedures can be viewed on the board website at www.bgcdsb.org

Dates of Interest:

April 30 to May 5, 2017 ~ Catholic Education Week May 9, 2017 ~ Theology on Tap with Fr. Con O’Mahoney, Walker’s Landing Walkerton May 11, 2017 ~ SEAC Meeting Sacred Heart School Teeswater May 17, 2017 ~ Bishop’s Dinner at the Hanover Columbus Centre May 18, 2017 ~ Blessing and Re-dedication St. Teresa of Calcutta June 1-3, 2017 ~ CCSTA AGM - Marriott on the Falls, Niagara Falls June 15, 2017 ~ SEAC Meeting Mary Immaculate School Chepstow June 15, 2017 ~ Theology on Tap with Christina Mines/Sarah Guinta at Coffin Ridge Winery

Next Board of Trustees meeting is Tuesday May 23, 2017 at 10:30a.m, at the Catholic Education Centre.