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Board Meeting Highlights - February 27, 2024

Good News

AMDSB Celebrates Black History Month

Superintendent April Smith highlighted some of the activities from across the district in celebration of Black History Month. She also pointed out that although we celebrate Black History throughout February, it is something that is celebrated throughout the school year. See the video below for a few examples. Also, there is a new black history curriculum requirement that was announced by the Ministry of Education at the beginning of February.
 
  

 

Centre for Employment & Learning Receives Provincial Funding to Continue Free PSW Training Course

Superintendent Jane Morris was pleased to share that on March 2, Director Walsh attended a joint press release with Minister Cho, the Minister of Long Term Care. At that time, the province announced that the government will spend almost $11 million over three years to expand the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program that helps students train on-site in long-term care homes. AMDSB is pleased to announce that we will continue to be partners in this work, and our Centres for Employment and Learning (CEL) are now accepting applications for students to begin training in April 2024 is St. Marys, Goderich and Stratford. Details are on the CEL website. These living classrooms allow students to learn and apply that knowledge at the same time. This supports not only the learning and growth of adult learners but also addresses the labour market needs in our local long term care homes. Stratford Beacon Herald news article. 
    
 

Athletics Update

Athletes from across the district have been busy with a number of sport activities! Congratulations to all of the athletes who have been competing over the last several weeks. Here is a sampling of what's been happening: 
 
Basketball (boys): Mitchell District HS senior team won the Huron Perth and WOSSA titles and will be competing at OFSAA in March. 
 
Nordic Skiing: St Marys DCVI had 23 athletes qualify for OFSAA.
 
Swimming: 19 athletes from 3 schools (Stratford District SS, Goderich District CI and Mitchell District HS) qualified for OFSSA. 
 
Volleyball (girls): Stratford District SS won the Junior Huron Perth championship and St Marys DCVI won silver at Junior WOSSA.
 

Student Trustee Update

Student Trustee Alex Dolmage reported that they are actively preparing for the recruitment of senators for the upcoming academic year by developing a proper pathway for the upcoming elections. Plans are also well underway for an e-waste collection initiative scheduled for the week leading up to Earth Day in April. The initiative involves promoting four drop-off bins at secondary schools across the district, inviting participation from feeder schools, students, staff, parents/caregivers, and the broader community. Student Trustee Nathan Bean was absent from the meeting as he was accepted into the very competitive Model Parliament for High School Students and is currently participating in Toronto.
 

Senior Staff Updates

Update on the Director's Work Plan

An update was provided on the Director's Work Plan. Superintendent Paul Langis outlined two leadership development programs offered to AMDSB staff - the Leadership Learning Series which provides learning for experienced leaders, and the Emerging Leadership Development Program (ELDP) for staff interested in future leadership opportunities. Superintendent Laura Marotta summarized the recruitment, retention, onboarding and succession planning as well as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by Telus Health. Finally, Superintendent Kathy Boyd shared additional staff mental health and well-being resources that are promoted with a poster campaign and a specific section of the internal staff website.  
 

AMDSB Looking for Child Care Partners to Provide Before and After School Care

Superintendent Cheri Carter reported that we are looking to recruit additional child care partners to provide before and after school care at certain schools in Huron County (Brookside PS, North Woods ES, Hullett Central PS, Huron Centennial PS). A media release was issued in order to find additional partners as well as demonstrate the board's commitment to providing more spaces to meet the needs of families.  
 

Long-term Enrolment Projections

Superintendent Cheri Carter shared the updated Long-Term Student Enrolment projections for the board, which were prepared by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd ("Watson"). Watson Partner Jack Ammendolia recorded the video below, which was shared with trustees in the agenda package, along with the accompanying information report. Watson Senior Consultant Josh Valenti and AMDSB Facilities Administrator Hugh Cox were available to answer questions.
 
All information can be found on the Board website on the Pupil Accommodation & Enrolment Projections page. The AMDSB Data Dashboards are also available on that page and provide information about student enrolment projections and school locations, structures and sizes, as well as AMDSB community demographic information. A full instruction manual can also be found for how to navigate and understand this information. 
 
 

Board Approves to Make Small Amendments and Extend AMDSB Strategic Plan 

After consultation with trustees, administrators and senior staff, small amendments were made to the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan and it has been extended to 2026. Details will be shared on the board website and released publicly soon. 

Future Board Meetings

Regular Board Meetings are held in person unless otherwise noted. Agendas are posted on the Board Meeting page the day before the meeting. The public portion begins at 4:45 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 26, 2024: Regular Board Meeting at 4:45 p.m. and Committee of the Whole, Closed Session immediately afterwards.
  • Tuesday, April 9, 2024: Committee of the Whole, Open Session
  • Tuesday, April 23, 2024: Regular Board Meeting at 4:45 p.m. and Committee of the Whole, Closed Session immediately afterwards. 

 

Future Meetings/Events with Trustee Representation

  • Special Education Advisory Committee – Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. 
  • Stratford Area Boundary Review Committee (SABRC) – Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (online)
  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act workgroup (AODA) – Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. (online)