Skip to main content

Board Meeting Highlights - May 23, 2023

Good News

OSSTF Celebrates Excellence in Public Education (EIPE) Awards

OSSTF logoTrustee Robert Hunking shared that he attended the OSSTF EIPE Awards on May 4. Each secondary school recognized staff, students and some community members, along with staff from the Avon Maitland Remote Learning School and two board-level staff members from the Learning Services department. A full listing of those recognized can be found at amdsb.ca/apps/pages/excellenceinpubliceducation
 
 

LDSS Hosts Lightning Tech Trades Day

Chair Nancy Rothwell was proud to report that Listowel District SS hosted the event which featured a guest speaker, a hands-on workshop for students who are currently in grades 7 and 8 at: North Perth Westfield Elementary School, Elma Township Public School, Howick Central Public School, Mornington Central Public School, and Milverton Public School, as well as a ceremony to induct former LDSS tech students into the Tech Hall of Fame. 
 
Student working on a project  Students working on a project  Former LDSS student being inducted into the Tech Hall of Fame

 

Caregiver Mini-Series Focuses on Mental Health and Well-being

Header for mini series
Superintendent Laura Marotta reported that throughout Children's Mental Health Awareness Week (May 1-5), the AMDSB Mental Health and Well-being (MHWB) team offered a number of lunch 'n learn and evening sessions in partnership with the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board and other community partners. The series was intended to increase caregiver knowledge and skills about a variety of topics and the sessions were recorded and are now posted on the Promoting Positive Mental Health at AMDSB page on the board website. 
 

Gold Medal at Skills Ontario Competition

Superintendent Jane Morris was happy to share that AMDSB sent five elementary teams to compete in various events on Monday, May 1 at the Skills Ontario competition in Toronto at the Congress Centre. Grade 7 and 8 students from South Huron District High School (SHDHS) competed in both the VEX Robotics and Technology competition. Upper Thames Elementary School (UTES) had two teams competing; one in the Grade 4-6 LEGO Robotics competition as well as one team in Character Animation. All teams represented AMDSB well and the UTES team even brought home a gold medal in the Character Animation division! This competition allows students to meet others with similar interests and is an amazing opportunity that showcases many skilled trades and post-secondary opportunities through the exhibition and competitions. Way to go team! 
 
UTES Character Animation team
 

Donation from the Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA)

Superintendent Jane Morris was also pleased to share that the Canadian Tooling and Machining Association(CTMA) and the Ontario Council for Technology Education (OCTE) sent congratulations to AMDSB on our successful application for the Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities program. After an amazing response during the application process with 46 school boards submitting applications for over 135 Manufacturing Technology programs across our province, AMDSB was awarded $90,000 in equipment to assist with tooling and machining programs at Listowel District SS. 
 
 

AMDSB Students Participate in the Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française (DELF)

Superintendent April Smith was pleased to share that 123 students from seven secondary schools, as well as grade 8 students from Stratford Intermediate, Sprucedale PS and Howick Central PS participated in the DELF exam May 8 - 11. The DELF is an internationally recognized test of French proficiency. It is based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which defines language proficiency along six global levels, A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. At each level, proficiency is measured across four competencies: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Pictured below are the students who participated from Mitchell District HS. 
 
MDHS Students who participated in the DELF
 
 

Staff Presentation

Update on the Director's Work Plan

Superintendents Jane Morris, Laura Marotta and Kathy Boyd presented an update on the Director's Work Plan. Superintendent Marotta outlined the strategies underway to recruit and retain international students. Superintendents Morris and Boyd provided an overview of experiential learning in AMDSB, including the 12+ strategy which engages students with complex needs in in-person workplace opportunities. Superintendent Morris discussed the restructuring of alternative education programs and how student success staff have been re-engaging students over the last year.    
 
 

Student Trustee Update

Student Trustee Alex Dolmage reported that Abigail Peel will be graduating and Nathan Bean has been elected as Student Trustee for next year. Other Student Senate positions have also been elected and they have begun discussing plans for next year.   
 
 

Senior Staff Updates

Summer Learning Opportunities

Superintendent April Smith shared details for elementary student summer learning opportunities. Students in grades 1-3 have been invited to Camp IAM which focuses on reading and math and will be offered at three sites across the district: Little Falls Public School (St. Marys), Maitland River Elementary School (Wingham) and Avon Public School (Stratford). In addition, Superintendent Boyd shared that a Summer Social Skills program for incoming JK to grade 1 students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This summer camp will run from August 28 to September 1 at three sites across the board (Clinton, Listowel, and Stratford). 
 

National AccessAbility Week

Superintendent Kathy Boyd reported that May 28-June 3 is National AccessAbility Week. This year resources and materials are being distributed to schools to support awareness, learning and celebrations of our work to make AMDSB accessible, equitable and inclusive. Last week schools received a package of digital resources to use in classrooms as well as a resource box of books with themes of disability awareness, inclusion and equity. 
 

Future Board Meetings

Meetings that include Regular Sessions will be hosted in person at the Education Centre in Seaforth (62 Chalk St. N.) with the option for connecting online. Members of the public are welcome to attend the Regular Board Meeting sessions (in person or online). Meeting details (including online meeting links and agenda packages) are posted on the Board Meeting page.
 
  • Tuesday, June 13, 2023: Committee of the Whole, Closed Session at 4:45 p.m. and Regular Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 27, 2023: Committee of the Whole, Closed Session at 3:00 p.m. and Regular Board Session at 3:30 p.m. (via MS Teams) 

Future Meetings/Events with Trustee Representation

  • Joint Health & Safety Committee – Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Supervised Alternative Learning – Monday, May 29, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. 
  • Huron Perth Student Transportation Steering Committee – Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act – Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
  • Special Education Advisory Committee – Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. (Microsoft Teams) 
  • Equity Steering Committee – Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (time to be confirmed)
  • Audit Committee – Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. 
  • Parent Involvement Committee – Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. 
  • Finance Committee – Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Microsoft Teams)
  • AMDSB Recognition Reception – Wednesday, June 14, 2023 (more details to follow)
  • Municipal Partners Meeting – Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. (more details to follow)
  • Finance Committee – Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Microsoft Teams)