Early Learning Update

It would be an understatement to suggest that the Early Learning Program being introduced across Ontario this fall is simply all day every day kindergarten.  The Extended Day (or before and after school care) may possibly be the most controversial component of this program for parents and communities. 

The Ministry of Eductation provides information and guidance to school boards on the Early Learning Program through “EL Memos”.  The most recent 10 pager from Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for the ELP, Jim Grieve, 2010 EL2: Early Learning Program – Extended Day Component dated January 13, addresses before and after care. In a subsequent Letter regarding the Early Learning Program dated February 3, the ADM provides additional clarification on the Extended Day program options for school boards.

The first memo of 2010, 2010 EL1: Early Learning Program – Site Selection Confirmation confirms the schools that will offer the ELP in year one of implementation. In West Oakville these are Oakwood, W.H. Morden and the as yet to be named Palermo school.

Ministry communications to school boards can be accessed online at http://cal2.edu.gov.on.ca/index.html

News and updates on the HDSB’s Early Learning Program implementation can be found at http://www.hdsb.ca/Programs/Pages/All-DayKindergartenInformation.aspx.

Your comments are welcome.

Board to buy Lakeshore Woods school site

On Wednesday, February 3, the board approved the purchase of the elementary school site on the south side of Nautical Drive in Lakeshore Woods. The background and rationale for the purchase are outlined in HDSB Report 10007. This report includes the following Analysis:

At this point staff has not presented a report to the trustees requesting direction with respect to the potential school within the Lakeshore community. As a consequence, in accordance with the agreement with Metrus, it is recommended that the site be purchased in advance of the planning for the 2010 – 2014 Long Term Accommodation Plan.

This maintains flexibility to act to ether build the school or maintain the present capital infrastructure. There is no economic disadvantage to this purchase as it was contemplated in the Board’s Education Development Charges By-law passes in June 2009.

It has not been decided that a school will be built on this site. This will be part of a public and inclusive process in Wards 1&2 Oakville.

To learn more, consider attending one of the public information meetings being held this month to review the Halton District School Board’s Long-Term Accommodation Plan. A meeting for Oakville is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 23 at Abbey Park High School.

News and information will also be available on the HDSB website (http://hdsb.ca) and the West Oakville Family of Schools website (http://wofos.ca).  You are welcome to comment below.

“Boys and Girls Learn Differently” – Mar 2, 7:30PM at Nelson HS

C.A.P.P. for KIDS

*Community & Parent Partners for Kids*

Boys and Girls Learn Differently

How Gender Differences Influence Learning and Behaviour

Guest Speaker: Michael Reist

Gender differences have a profound influence on learning and behaviour. Boys’ brains and girls’ brains develop and operate very differently. Current brain research has revealed differences between the way boys and girls think and communicate. Parents of children 0-18 years will benefit from this enlightening workshop. Come learn some practical strategies for raising and teaching boys and girls. Michael Reist is a teacher with over 25 years of experience in the classroom. He is a frequent speaker to local parent groups and education conferences.

Free!	No Reservations Required
Date:	Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Time:	7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Community displays 7:15 – 7:30 p.m.)
Place:	Nelson High School, Auditorium 4181 New Street, Burlington (Between Appleby and Walkers Line, South of the QEW)

*Donations towards future speakers will be gratefully accepted*

American Sign Language-English Interpreters available upon request. If you wish to use this service, please RSVP by February 25, 2010 to 905-827-9833 TTY or email accesshalton@halton.ca

For additional information contact Halton Region at:
   Dial 311 or 905-825-6000 TTY: 905-827-9833

“Recognizing Depression” – Feb 8, 7:00PM at TAB

Recognizing Depression

Approximately 20% of teenagers and adults will experience depression

Free Admission, Everyone Welcome

Learn:

• What depression is
• The early signs and symptoms
• How to get help
• The impact of depression

Tuesday, February 9, 2010
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Thomas A. Blakelock High School
1160 Rebecca Street, Oakville

Presentation by the Centre For Addiction and Mental Health
Speakers sharing their personal experiences with depression

Please RSVP to reserve a seat. 

For more information or to RSVP dial 311 or (905) 825-6000 ext. 2988 or email: Sabrina.thiffault@halton.ca

Click her for printable notice.

Congrats Kevin!

News Release

FLYNN APPOINTED PARLIAMENTARY ASSISTANT TO THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION

OAKVILLE — MPP Kevin Flynn has been appointed by Premier McGuinty as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education.

“I know that the people of Oakville value public education and recognize that the future of our community and province in a global economy depends on excellence in the public education of our young people,” said Flynn. “I’m honoured to be asked by the Premier to assist in such an important responsibility and continue to implement the tremendous improvements we’ve seen during the McGuinty years.”

Flynn has served as Parliamentary Assistant in several Ministries since being elected in 2003. Flynn recently served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

“It has been a privilege to work with Minister John Milloy and move forward important legislation expanding labour mobility and creating an Ontario College of Trades,” said Flynn.

Parliamentary Assistants carry out duties assigned by their minister or the Premier. Their responsibilities may include carrying bills through the house or its committees on behalf of their ministers, leading ministry consultations with the public and taking responsibility for specific programs or policy initiatives.

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For more information contact:
Steven Ball, Legislative Assistant to MPP Kevin Flynn
(416) 325-7215

SEAC Community Consultation, Abbey Park on Feb 10, 2010

News Release – February 1, 2010

Public meetings scheduled to review Special Education Plan
Input welcome from students, parents and community members

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The Halton District School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee invites students, parents and community members to attend a public meeting to review the Special Education Plan.

The Student Services Department will provide a brief presentation about programs and services offered, followed by an opportunity for students, parents and community members to provide input. The Special Education Advisory Committee welcomes this as an opportunity to better understand the special education priorities of students.

Meetings will be held during February on following evenings and locations. All meetings begin at 7 p.m.:

• Milton: Monday, February 8, 2010 (Milton District High School, 396 Williams Street, Milton)
• Burlington: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 (M.M. Robinson High School, 2425 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington)
• Oakville: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 (Abbey Park High School, 1455 Glen Abbey Gate, Oakville)

Students, parents and community members are welcome to attend on any of these evenings. If you need any special assistance or accommodations, please contact Pam Cooley at 905 631-6120 ext 323. We would be happy to make the appropriate arrangements.

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For additional information, contact:

David Boag, Superintendent of Education
Halton District School Board
(905) 335-3663, (905) 842-3014, (905) 878-8451

Student Fees Policy – HDSB Report 10005

Report 10005 – Student Fees Policy, describes an Administrative Procedure that will affect every public school and student in Halton starting this fall. Elementary schools will receive $20 per student and secondary schools will receive $35 per student, to reduce the fees charged for program materials or activities. The cost of implementing this policy will be about $1.27 million for the 2010-2011 school year.

For details, please read Report 10005 – Student Fees Policy, which includes the rationale for this change and the draft procedure.

School Board Agendas and Minutes are available online at http://www.hdsb.ca/BoardroomTrustees/Pages/BoardAgendaMinutes.aspx.

HCHSA Meeting Feb 22, 2010

The Halton Council of Home & School Associations is meeting on Monday, February 22 at 7:15 PM in the Library at WH Morden PS, 180 Morden Rd, Oakville. Representatives from all Home & School Associations in Halton are invited to attend. There will be the usual networking opportunities, plus, WH Morden Principal, John Pennyfather, is on the agenda and will talk about the new Ealry Learning Program at the school.

For more information head over the the HCHSA Blog at http://haltonchs.wordpress.com/.

New Minister of Education

There has been a cabinet shuffle at Queen’s Park. Leona Dombrowsky (Prince Edward Hastings) will take over as Minister of Education from Kathleen Wynne, who is moving to Transportation.

For more information:
http://www.news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2010/01/new-decade-new-challenges-new-cabinet.html

Haiti Relief

The CBC has created Haiti Relief at http://www.cbc.ca/haitirelief/, a website to facilitate donating online, finding family and friends, and for keeping abreast of news on the relief efforts in Haiti.

People for Education – 1st School Council Survey

Just two weeks left to participate in the People for Education School Council Survey:

Are you part of the School Council?
 
We are asking school councils to fill out our new School Council Survey by clicking on the link below:
  
Click here to fill out the school council survey online, in English.
 
Cliquez ici pour commencer le sondage en français. 
 
You can also print (or save) a copy of the blank survey if you wish to circulate it to members for their input. The online deadline is extended until January 31st, so please fill it out, or forward this message now.

The results from the survey provide valuable data that will not only help you in your work, but also help all of us to keep track of how well Ontario’s parent involvement strategies are working. We’ll know more about fundraising, we’ll gain insight into what school councils see as their purpose and we’ll have useful information about communication between parents and the school system. (Read more)
 
Every school will receive a summary of the results which will be published in the fall 2010.
 
Thanks so much for participating in this work,
 
Annie Kidder
Executive Director, People for Education
www.peopleforeducation.com

View a copy of our Annual Report on Schools.

Only three weeks left for Premier’s Awards nominations

February 1 is the final day to nominate an Ontario educator for this year’s Premier’s Awards for Teaching Excellence.

The awards recognize outstanding school and school board staff who make exceptional contributions to Ontario schools, and support, motivate and inspire Ontario students.

There are six award categories that recognize individuals who make a difference in education:

• Teacher of the Year
• New Teacher of the Year
• Excellent Support Staff
• Excellence in Leadership
• Team of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement

For more information go to http://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2010/01/only-three-weeks-left-for-premiers-awards-nominations.html

New uses for synervoice?

This Saturday morning at 5:16 AM we were among the many families to be reasured by the school board’s synervoice system that there was no school today (see the apology below). What the heck, it got me thinking that this system might be useful on school days for prying my teenager out of bed in time for class. I imagine he is like many other kids his age, sleeping with iPod and cell phone close at hand, conditioned like a Pavlovian hound to reach out at the first tinkling of the ringtone to see or hear what important message is bubbling up through the ether. Perhaps synervoice could be programmed with the cell numbers of kids who tend to arrive late for class to send a 6:45 AM wakeup call? “OMG U B L8 4 skul!!!!”

News Release – January 16, 2010

Automated phone message sent in error Saturday January 16
Board apologizes for disruption and inconvenience

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In the early morning of Saturday, January 16, 2010 automatic phone message was sent IN ERROR to all homes that subscribe to the Board’s Syner-voice Home Notification System.

The Halton District School Board apologies for this disruption and is following up to ensure an error such as this cannot happen again.

The inaccurate message was related to school closures and cancelled transportation due to inclement weather.

Again the Halton District School Board sincerely apologizes for any disruption or inconvenience this may have caused.

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For additional information, contact:

Bruce Smith, Chief Information Officer
Marnie Denton, Manager, Communication Services
Halton District School Board
(905) 335-3663, (905) 842-3014, (905) 878-845

Lakeshore Woods Update, 15 Jan 2010

Report 10007 – Lakeshore Woods Elementary School Site Purchase, is now online as part of the Wednesday, January 20, 2010 Board Agenda available on the HDSB website at http://www.hdsb.ca/BoardroomTrustees/Pages/BoardAgendaMinutes.aspx, or by clicking here.  Please read the report carefully.

Community members may speak to the Board a number of ways, some more or less formal:

• by Delegation – a formal presentation to the Board at the beginning of a Board meeting (see the Board’s Delegation By-Law);
• by Correspondence to the Board adderssed to our Director of Education, Wayne Joudrie, by email at joudriew@hdsb.ca, or by post at Halton District School Board, 2050 Guelph Line, Burlington, ON L7R 3Z2.
• by emailing the trustees (see email addresses at http://www.hdsb.ca/BoardroomTrustees/Pages/TrusteePage.aspx).

Questions or comments are welcome here as well.

The decision to buy or release the site will be made February 3, 2010.

Ontario Healthy Schools Recognition Program

From: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools/challenge.html

Healthy Schools

Healthy Schools Recognition Program

Schools are encouraged to apply

 Recognition Program Acceptance Form (PDF, 580 KB)

What is the recognition program?

The Healthy Schools Recognition Program promotes and celebrates healthy behaviours and practices in Ontario’s schools. Schools pledge to take on a healthy activity in their school – and receive recognition for it. Schools can start a new activity or build on an existing one.

The Premier, Minister of Education and Minister of Health Promotion will recognize participating schools with a certificate and pennant. A list of participating schools will also be posted on the Ministry of Education’s website.

Who is the program for?

All publicly funded elementary and secondary schools in Ontario are
encouraged to participate.

Why participate?

Research shows that a healthy school environment supports student success.  Students, teachers and the larger community benefit when children learn in a healthy school.

How do we apply?

Schools should submit the Recognition Program Acceptance Form (PDF, 580 KB) to the Ministry of Education by Thursday, April 8, 2010.

Find out more about what steps to take to apply for the program.

Where can I look for ideas?

There are many tools on the website to help you, including:

• Tips and ideas for parents, students, and teachers and principals.
• Foundations for a Healthy School
• Six Steps for a Healthy School
• Search tool to see what healthy activities other schools have done
• Questions and Answers

Provincial and local organizations – such as public health units – may also be able to assist schools.

If you have any questions please contact healthy.schools@ontario.ca

“Artificial” Art Show at TA Blakelock

“Artificial”

Grade 12 Final Art Show

January 21st Opening Night
6:30 – 8:30

January 22nd
8:00- 3:00

TAB Studio Theatre

Lakeshore Woods Update, 7 Jan 2010

Over the course of the OMB hearings last winter, the HDSB and New Province Homes came to an agreement regarding the public elementary school site on Nautical Drive in Lakeshore Woods:

• The School Board would not object to the rezoning of the site as dual use (residential or institutional).
• The School Board would not oppose to the approval of the draft plan of subdivision for the school block.  Final approval subject to the following condition.
• The School Board would enter into an option agreement / agreement of purchase for the school block that would expire at the end of March 2010.  The School Board upon exercising its option must purchase the site within a specified time period.

The Lakeshore Woods public elementary school site has been in the HDSB’s plans for the last ten years.  In 2000, the recommendation was to build a school on the site in 2005.  In 2003 the recommendation was to build in 2008,  in 2006  construction of a school was still considered “possible” some time in the future.  In 2008 the initial recommendation was to release the site, then later to hold on to it.  In November 2008, New Province Homes went to the OMB to ask the School Board to “fish or cut bait”.  So here we are.

At our Wednesday, January 20th Board meeting, we will receive a report from staff with a recommendation regarding the Lakeshore Woods elementary school site (available on the HDSB website on January 15th).  The decision to purchase or release the site will be made at the following  Board meeting on Wednesday, February 3rd.

The decision whether, when, how, etc.  a school might be built on this site will not be made at this meeting. 

It is almost certain that should a school be built in Lakeshore Woods, enrolments at other schools in Oakville’s southwest would decline, and an Accommodation Review in Ward 1 and possibly Ward 2 would be necessary.

Positive Parenting Seminar – Wed, Jan 13

Positive Parenting Seminar

Increase your Teen’s Safety by Planning Ahead

Wednesday, January 13, 2010
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Halton Regional Centre
1151 Bronte Road Oakville

For more information please click here.

Defend against Facebook and Twitter bullying

Community Forum on Bullying Prevention

A free open forum to educate parents, teachers, and students on how to minimize privacy breaches and proactively defend against electronic bullying on Facebook and Twitter.

Thursday, January 7, 2010
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Operating Engineers Banquet Hall
2245 Speers Rd Oakville

Please click here for more information.

Wanna see new and renoed school floor plans?

For anyone interested, site plans and floor plans for our new schools and renovations are now available on the HDSB Facilities Department’s Construction webpage at: http://www.hdsb.ca/AboutUs/FacilityServices/Pages/Construction.aspx.