**All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered not to require debate by the Board of Trustees and should be approved in one motion in accordance with the recommendation contained in each report.

DECEMBER 19, 2016

WATERLOO REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

NOTICE OF MEETING The regular monthly Board Meeting of the Waterloo Region District School Board will be held in the Board Room, Floor 1, Building 2, Education Centre, 51 Ardelt Avenue, Kitchener, on Monday, December 19, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. AGENDA Call to Order O Canada Musical Performance by the Students of Jacob Hespeler Secondary School Invocation (To be recited by trustees) “In preparation for this evening’s meeting, let us pause for thirty seconds of silent reflection – to commit our hearts and our heads, and help one another to make the careful and thoughtful decisions that will further the education of all our students.” Approval of Agenda Consent Agenda** Receipt/Approval of Minutes: 1 Receive Minutes – Inaugural Board Meeting of December 5, 2016 6 Receive Minutes – Board Meeting of November 28, 2016 11 Approve Minutes – Committee of the Whole Meeting of December 12, 2016 17 Approve Minutes – Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting of November 9, 2016 21 Approve Minutes – Parent Involvement Committee Meeting of November 8, 2016 Receipt/Approval of Monthly Reports: 29 Staffing Information – Retirements and Resignations M. Weinert 31 Staffing Recommendations – Appointments M. Weinert 33 Suspension/Expulsion Report as of November 30, 2016 P. Rubenschuh Declarations of Pecuniary Interest Announcements/Celebrating Board Activities Communications Department Good News Update L. Slupeiks Delegations Reports Reports from Board Members

Questions relating to this agenda should be directed to Jayne Herring, Manager of Corporate Services

519-570-0003, ext. 4336, or Jayne_Herring@wrdsb.on.ca

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Board Communications 35 Toronto District School Board re Curriculum Review Process 38 MPP Catherine Fife re Mindfulness in Schools 39 Peel District School Board re OUAC Application Change Fee Question Period (10 minutes) Future Agenda Items (Notices of motion to be referred to Agenda Development Committee) Adjournment

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Report to Board December 19, 2016

Inspired Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders

SUBJECT: Staffing Information – Retirements & Resignations ORIGINATOR: This report was prepared by Michael Weinert, Superintendent, Human Resource Services,

in consultation with Coordinating Council. PURPOSE/STRATEGIC PLAN: This report presents, as information, the names of those staff members who are retiring or resigning from the Waterloo Region District School Board. The three strategic priorities that are used to guide the work of the Board are:

• Our Students are First – Each and Every One • Our Staff, Families and Caregivers are Partners in Every Student’s Learning Journey • Our Culture of Innovation Builds Students’ Confidence and Success as they Face the Future

BACKGROUND: The Board’s practice has been to receive information regarding staff retirements and resignations at regular monthly Board meetings. STATUS: The employees listed in this Report have received acknowledgment of their retirement or resignation.

Retirements: Elementary Teaching Staff Name Position / Location Effective

Date Years of Service

Katharina Cugliari Elementary Teacher, Millen Woods P.S. February 27, 2017 10 Jane Lidbetter Elementary Teacher, Edna Staebler P.S. February 24, 2017 29 Bayze Wigmore Elementary Teacher, John Darling P.S. December 31, 2016 27

Retirements: Secondary Teaching Staff

Name Position / Location Effective Date

Years of Service

Nick Gragor Secondary Teacher, On Leave February 19, 2017 28 Retirements - Administrative and Support Staff

Name Position / Location Effective Date

Years of Service

Margaret Bingeman Fast Forward Educational Assistant, Sir John A. Macdonald S.S.

January 31, 207 22

Patricia Cawley Reid Child Youth Worker, St. Andrew’s P.S. December 31, 2016 22 Martha Eichel Educational Assistant, Special Education,

Education Centre December 31, 2016 18

Ruth Witzke-Frick Social Worker, Special Education, Learning Services, Education Centre

January 31, 2017 14

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Resignations – Teaching, Administrative and Support Staff Name Position/Location Effective Date

Tracey MacGillivary Supervision Monitor, Huron Heights S.S. November 15, 2016 Kelly Mackie Custodial Maintenance Helper, Sir John A.

Macdonald S.S. November 30, 2016

COMMUNICATIONS: Employees listed in this report have communicated through Human Resource Services. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Expenses are within the existing approved budget. RECOMMENDATION: No recommendation. For information only.

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Report to Board December 19, 2016

Inspired Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders

SUBJECT: Staffing Recommendations - Appointments ORIGINATOR: This report was prepared by Michael Weinert, Superintendent, Human Resource Services;

in consultation with Coordinating Council. PURPOSE/STRATEGIC PLAN: This report presents, as information, the names of those staff members who are retiring or resigning from the Waterloo Region District School Board. The three strategic priorities that are used to guide the work of the Board are:

• Our Students are First – Each and Every One • Our Staff, Families and Caregivers are Partners in Every Student’s Learning Journey • Our Culture of Innovation Builds Students’ Confidence and Success as they Face the Future

BACKGROUND: The Board’s practice has been to have appointments presented for consideration and approval at regular monthly Board meetings. STATUS: The following staff appointments are effective the dates indicated: Teaching Staff – Elementary: Nil Report Teaching Staff – Secondary: Nil Report Administrative and Support Staff:

Name Position & Location Effective Start Date Kimberley Droumtsekas Library Clerk, Linwood P.S. January 9, 2017 Jennifer Kauntz Secretary, Waterloo C.I. November 15, 2016 Lisa McKinnon Secretary, Lincoln Heights P.S. December 6, 2016 Ngoc Nguyen Payroll, Human Resource Services, Education

Centre December 12, 2016

Crystal Snyder Secretary, Forest Hill P.S. November 28, 2016 COMMUNICATIONS: The employees listed in this report have/will be advised of the appointments. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Expenses are within the existing approved budget. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended:

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That the Waterloo Region District School Board approve the appointments to staff as outlined in the report titled “Staffing Recommendations – Appointments”, dated December 19, 2016.

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Report to Board December 19, 2016

Inspired Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders

SUBJECT: Student Suspension/Expulsion Report November 30, 2016 ORIGINATOR: This report was prepared by Peter Rubenschuh, Superintendent, Student Achievement

and Well-Being; Jim Woolley, System Administrator, Specialty Programs and Supports JK-12, and in consultation with Coordinating Council.

PURPOSE/STRATEGIC PLAN: To provide the Waterloo Region District School Board with information regarding monthly and year-to-date suspension/expulsion data. This report supports the strategic priority of Our Students are First – Each and Every One. The WRDSB continues to support students in alternative programs that support their success. Suspension and expulsion data is helpful in supporting schools as inclusive and caring communities. BACKGROUND: As requested by the Board, suspension/expulsion data will be presented at the Board meeting each month. STATUS: Comparing Year to Date from November 2015-2016 and November 2016-2017, Elementary suspensions have decreased by 20 and Secondary suspensions have decreased by 47. Comparing Year to Date from November 2015-2016 and November 2016-2017, School expulsions have increased by 2 and Board expulsions has increased by 3. The most recent month’s suspension and expulsion data is included in the chart below. This data is accurate up to, and including, the date of collection. A. Suspensions

Nov 2016 YTD Nov 2015 YTD Total Elementary School Suspensions 136 248 119 268 Total Secondary School Suspensions 238 461 193 508

B. Expulsions

Nov 2016 YTD Nov 2015 YTD Total School Expulsions 0 2 0 0 Total Board Expulsions 3 4 1 1

C. Violent Incidents The term violent incident is defined as the occurrence of any one of the following or the occurrence of a combination of any of the following: possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm, physical assault causing bodily harm requiring medical attention, sexual assault, robbery, using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person, extortion, hate and/or bias-motivated occurrences.

Nov 2016 YTD Nov 2015 YTD Total (Elementary/Secondary) 2 6 4 9

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COMMUNICATIONS: Upon request, suspension/expulsion data is communicated to the Ministry of Education for statistical purposes. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: No financial implications. RECOMMENDATION: No recommendation. For information only.

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Robin Pilkey Dc

Chair and Trustee, Ward 7, Parkdale-High ParkToronto

___________________________________________

bUDU Tonge Nreei, si oor er j4lb) ib-d(d1 -maII: robIn.pflKeytdsb.on.caDistrict Toronto, Ontario M2N 5N8 Fax: (416) 397-3114

SchoolBoard

November 21, 2016

Waterloo Region District School BoardP.O. Box 68, 51 Ardelt AvenueKitchener, ON, N2C 2E1

Dear kathleen Woodcock

Attached is a letter to the Minister of Education with a motion from the Board of TrusteesOctober 26, 2016 meeting adth’cssing s3’stemw racism and nnpk’inentmg meaningful changethrough tiw CIUT1CZG1I1U I’CI’WlI’

We hope you will support this motion by discussing this at your board and by sending a letter tothe Minister of Education asking for her support.

Please contact or Trustee Neethan Shan Neethan.shanitdsb.on.ca if you have any questionsconcerning this motion.

Yours truly

Robin PilkeyCh1Ii of ilte iuaid

cc: Frustee Neethan Shan — Ward 21 Scarborough-Rouge RiverOntario School Board ChairsOSPBA

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Robin PilkeyChair and Trustee, Ward 7, Parkdale-High Park

Toronto

______________________________________ ____ ____

D. •5050 Yonge Street, 1st Floor Tat: (416) 395-3787 E-mail: rcbin.pilkey@tdsb.on.ca

is Li”lCL Toronto, Ontario M2N 5N8 Fax: (416) 397-3114

School

The Honorable Mitzie Hunter

Minister of Education,

Government of Ontario

14th Floor, Mowat Block

900 Bay Street

Toronto, ON, M7A 1L2

Dear Minister Hunter:

At the October 26, 2016 meeting of the Toronto District School Board discussion was

held on addressing systemic racism and how to implement meaningifil change through

the Curriculum Review Process.

Among the issues raised were the following:

• the current curriculum being taught in public schools from Grade Ito Grade 12

does not adequately reflect the ethno-racial diversity of Ontario; and

• many racialized students, parents and educators feel that they, their experiences

and their contributions are not represented and reflected in the content of what is

being taught in their classrooms; and

• despite the slow progress being made, there is a long way to go in making sure

that the staffing of the education system is reflective of the student population;

and

• student achievement is tied to how the students feel about themselves and theiridentities, the level of their self-esteem and the sense of belonging in theft

schools and in the education system; and

• racial inequities and systemic discrimination continue to be an important issue in

the education system;

On behalf of the Toronto District School Board of Trustees, I am writing this letter to

bring to your attention the following motion that was passed at our October 26th 2016Board meeting:

Be it resolved that the Chair send a communication to the Minister ofEducationrequesting that the Ministry undertake an ethno-raciaL equity-based, comprehensivereview ofthe curriculum beginning with Grade 1 and continuing to Grade 12 in all

I

BoardNovember 21, 2016

major subjects;

36

(I,) That the review be conducted with the objective ofputtingfonvard concreterecommendations that can help make the curriculum become more reflectiveand representative of the diverse ethno-racial communities iii Ontario;

(u That educators, anti-racism advocates, parents/guardians and students fromthe diverse racialized communities be engaged in the review process;

(ill,) That a copy of the request be sent to the Minister Responsible for the Anti-Racism Directorate;

(iv That a cop)’ of the Board’s decision be sent to the chairs ofall Ontario schoolboards, with a requestfor support;

(v) That a cop)’ of the Board’s decision be sent to the Ontario Public SchoolBoards Association with a request for support and advocacy of theresolution.

I loolc forward to hearing from you on this important issue.

Yours truly

Robin PiliceyChair of the Board

cc: Minister for Anti-Racism DirectorateOntario School Board ChairsOSPBA

37

__________________

Ree)&Oe1ca/ie

Ontario

Catherine FifeMPP Kitchcncr-’X/atcrloo

Kathleen WoodcockChair of the BoardWaterloo Region District School Board51 Ardelt AvenueKitchener, ON N2C 2R5

November 29, 2016

Re: Mindfulness in Schools

Dear Ms. Woodcock,

I am writing today to express my support for implementing the practice of mindfulness into ourschools here in Waterloo Region.

I recently met with Steph Van de Ven, a local mindfulness coach who works with students andteachers to incorporate practices of mindfulness, yoga, breathing and meditation into localelementary schools. Steph advocates for the benefits of incorporating mindfulness into oureveryday lives and has testimonials from both teachers and parents who have experienced thepositive effects of introducing mindfulness into children’s daily routines. The Journal ofDevelopmental Psychology recently published a trial which suggests that mindfulness can lead topositive outcomes for children. Among many benefits, the research shows that test scores, socialskills, attention and behaviour all experience changes as a result of integrating practices ofmindfulness.

As a former President of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and former Chair of theWaterloo Region District School Board, I support an inclusive education system where students areable to access a variety of tools and resources to support their individual needs and learning styles.Waterloo Region has a strong reputation as an innovative community and it would be fitting for ourschool boards to implement practices of mindfulness into everyday learning.

I would be happy to facilitate an introductory meeting between Steph Van de Ven and the WaterlooRegion District School Board. My Constituency Office can be reached at 519-725-3477 or cfifecondp.on.ca.

Sinyeely,

erine ife, MPPKitchener-Waterloo

Constituency Office Queen’s Park Office100 Regina St .S.,S uite 220 Room 154, Main Legislative Bldg.

Waterloo, ON N2J 4A8 Queen’s Park, Forontc, ON M7A lASPh: 519-725-34771 Fax: 519-725-3667 Ph: 41(i-325-6913 I Fax: 416-325-6942

Email: cfile-eo®ndp.on.ea I3rnail: cfife-qpindp.ort.ca

38

1ecA ]ye.cc1lDistrictSchool Board

Se,

5650 Humntada StreetMississauga, ON, Canada L5R 106905890.1010 1.800.668.1146905.890.6747

vAv.peelschools Org

December 2, 2016

Dave Wallace, Executive DirectorOntario Universities Application Centre (OUAC)170 Research LaneGuelph, ON N1G 5E2

Dear Mr. Wallace.

On behalf of the Peel District School Board and our 40000+ secondary school students, I amwriting to express our concern with the implementation of an additional $50.00 fee to studentswho wish to make changes to their OUAC applications beginning with this year’s cohort ofapplicants.

In Peel, we place a great deal of emphasis on student pathways. For those students who wishto attend university, I am sure you can appreciate the financial commitment required — on thepart of both students and their families. In most cases, those students applying to university areseventeen (17) years old — a time in their lives when they continue to seek guidance from familymembers and are influenced by both peers and social media. In short, for many students, thehigh school years, and particularly their final year prior to attendance at university, can be a verystressful time. An increase in mental health issues among adolescents shows strong evidenceof the added pressure that our society has placed on them. As a school system, we ask them tomake very important decisions about pathways and their chosen fields of study at a very youngage - - - and very early in their final high school year. It is not unusual for a student of this ageto change their minds several times before finally settling on a chosen program at university —

just like it is not unusual for working adults to change professions several times during theirworking years.

While we are aware that students still have the ability, free of charge, to change programs withinthe same university, the added fee of $50.00 to change choices of university is, in the opinion ofthe Board, an unfair financial burden for students who are already struggling with the pendingfinancial commitment of tuition. Further, because a similar fee does not apply to those studentschanging their choice of institutions at the college level through the Ontario College ApplicationService (OCAS), I would suggest that students applying through OUAC are treated inequitablybecause of their choice of pathway.

.12

Trustees Director of Education and Secretary Associate Director,Janet McDougaid, Chair David Green Tony Ponies instructional Support Services

Suzanne Nurse, Vice-Chair Sue Lawton Scoff Moreash FCarrie Andrews Brad MacDonaldSian Cameron Kathy McDonald Associate Director,

Robert Crocker Harkirat Singh Operational Support Services

Nokha Dakroub Rick Williams Jaspal Gill

50Y001 CERTIFIED - cUSTODIAL sR1cES flID r.QJNrnV.NcE SERVICES

39

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On behalf of the Peel District School Board, I would like to strongly urge OUAC to rethink theimposition of a $50.00 “change fee” for 2017-2018 applicants. Students in the Province ofOntario are amongst the highest performing students in the world, and as a Board of Trustees,we are proud of our Peel graduates and believe they deserve every opportunity to pursue postsecondary studies without bearing the cost of added administration fees imposed by OUAC.

I look forward to your response at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Chair

c. Ontario School Board ChairsOPSBA

Janet McDougald

40