• Peel District School Board

"'-"

December 8, 2015

TO: Janet McDougald

RE: Regular Meeting of the Board - Agenda Update

REGRETS:

REGRETS FOR LATE ARRIVAL:

ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:

6.5 Letter from the Chair to the Minister of Education regarding support for the development of curriculum and learning resources on Aboriginal peoples in Canada for students in kindergarten to grade 12

9.4 Peel Elementary Teachers Tentative Local Agreement- REVISED (replaces page 73-104)

10.1 Inspire Hope: Ensuring a warm welcome and successful school experience for refugees from Syria and beyond

12.2 OPSBA Fast Report: Vol. 27, No. 32

Regular Meeting of the Board December 8, 2015

6.5

Trustees

December 8, 2015

The Honourable Liz Sandals Minister of Education Mowat Block 900 Bay Street Toronto, ON M7 A 1 L2

Dear Minister Sandals:

Peel District • School Board ........,

5650 Hurontario Street Mississauga. ON, Canada L5R 1C6 t 905.890.1010 1.800.668.1146 f 905.890.6747 www.peelschools.org

I am writing to express the Peel District School Board 's support for the development of curriculum and learning resources on Aboriginal peoples in Canada for students in kindergarten to grade 12, as suggested in the Calls to Action from the find ings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission brought forward by Mr. Justice Murray Sinclair on June 2, 2015.

The board recognizes that encouraging , inclusive and respectful environments help students achieve to the best of their ability. As part of this work, we continue to look for ways to improve the capacity of the board to respond to the learning and cultural needs of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit students. In September 2013, we launched Policy #81 Voluntary, Confidential Self-Identification Policy for First Nation, Metis and Inuit Students to help support improvement planning and accountability, inform policy and funding decisions, and ensure measurement and reporting. This was a significant step toward ensuring that First Nation, Metis and Inuit students receive the highest possible quality of education, and that all Ontario students benefit from an appreciation of the richness of First Nation, Metis and Inuit cultures and the important contributions of First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities to Peel's, Ontario's and Canada's cultural, economic and social future.

We appreciate the work of the Ministry's Aboriginal Education Strategy, which includes initiatives that support learning and achievement for Aborig inal students and helps raise awareness about First Nation, Metis and Inuit cultures, histories and perspectives in all Ontario classrooms.

Your consideration of this matter is appreciated. We look forward to working together to help ensure our First Nations, Metis and Inuit students feel completely included and welcomed in our schools.

Sincerely,

~.<::$/;:2 Janet McDougald Chair

c: Paul Officer, Co-Chair, First Nation, Metis and Inuit Education Advisory Circle Joy Uniac, Co-Chair, First Nation, Metis and Inuit Education Advisory Circle Peel MPP's Michael Barrett, President, OPSBA Ontario School Board Chairs

Janet McDougald, Chair Suzanne Nurse, Vice-Chair Carrie Andrews

David Green Sue Lawton Brad MacDonald Kathy McDonald Harkirat Singh Rick Williams

Director of Education and Secretary Tony Pontes

Associate Director, Instructional Support Services Scott Moreash

Associate Director, Operational Support Services Jaspal Gill

Stan Cameron Robert Crocker Nokha Dakroub

tSO 9001 CERnFIEO • CUSTOOW. ~IMCES AND M.A!NTENANCE SERVICES

PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 9.4 Regular Meeting of the Board December 8, 2015

PEEL ELEMENTARY TEACHERS TENTATIVE LOCAL AGREEMENT

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Peel Elementary Teachers tentative local agreement be ratified upon ratification by the ETFO, Peel Elementary Teachers' Local.

Background

The Peel District School Board and the ETFO Peel Elementary Teachers' Local reached a tentative local agreement on November 27, 2015. The ETFO Peel Elementary Teachers' Local is scheduled to conduct their ratification vote on December 10, 2015.

Prepared & Submitted by:

Dawn Beckett-Marton, Director of Human Resources Support Services

Shelley Bortolotto, Assistant Director, Human Resources Support Services

PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 10.1

Regular Meeting of the Board December 8, 2015

INSPIRE HOPE: ENSURING A WARM WELCOME AND SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL EXPERIENCE FOR REFUGEES FROM SYRIA AND BEYOND

Recommendation

It is recommended that this report be received.

Prepared and Submitted by Inspire Hope Action Team

Brian Woodland, Director of Communications and Community Relations Support Services (chair) Zaiba Beg, Instructional Coordinator, English Language Learners ESUELD Ted Byers, Superintendent of Special Education Support Services Louise Clayton , We Welcome the World Coordinator Poleen Grewal, Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Support Services Maureen McKay, Coordinator, Student Wellbeing Cathy Roper, Coordinating Principal, Elementary Carol Suhay, Coordinating Principal, Secondary Jim Van Buskirk, Chief Social Worker

Background

The Peel District School Board is where the world comes to learn: This year alone, our We Welcome the World Centres have assessed and registered over 5300 newcomer students. Our schools have vibrant ESL programming, staff experienced in receiving newcomers, and a wide variety of supports and services such as social workers, psychologists and MSEP workers.

In the next several months however, we will welcome a potentially large number of new students from Syria and beyond. The provincial government has said it will settle 1 0,000 refugees from Syria by the end of 2016. At this point, there has been no confirmation of the number that will settle in Peel, but we do know that our community is a major destination for many newcomers.

To date, we have supported refugees through the We Welcome the World Centres. Generally, they have come to us from Syria, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. Though it is hard to generalize, it is fair to say that many have far higher needs than other welcome centre families. Specifically, factors might include:

• Many families have lost one or both parents in conflict situations • Students have deep trauma, to the point that some cannot speak • There are significant special education needs-often undiagnosed • There are large gaps in formal schooling-often a number of years. Some middle

school-aged students arrive with no formal schooling at all • Students and families speak little English • Some students often have little or no literacy foundation in their home language

Our schools and support staff have done an amazing job to support these refugee families. At the same time, there needs to be consideration of the need to provide such service not to five or ten families in Peel schools, but potentially to hundreds.

Inspire Hope Action Team

To plan for the arrival of large numbers of refugees, and ensure our supports are focused and schools are prepared, an Inspire Hope Action Team has been created. The purpose of this team is to:

• Inventory existing supports and services • Identify potential needs/areas for required provincial funding • Ensure coordination of services • Identify how we can provide arriving refugees with a warm welcome and

successful school experience • Connect with community agencies serving refugees

2

At the first meeting, the team identified the following as important supports:

• Our We Welcome the World Centres in Mississauga, Brampton and Malton provide reception, registration, assessment, orientation, interpretation and referral that help us make strong connections with newcomer students and families immediately at the point of entry in our system for grades K-12. The centres are co-funded with Citizenship and Immigration Canada and have Arabic-speaking staff members.

• We are a founding partner of the Multicultural, Settlement and Education Partnership (MSEP) program in the Region of Peel. Citizenship and Immigration Canada funds the program facilitator position centrally and settlement workers in our schools. We have Arabic-speaking workers.

• Through our work in the community, we have strong connections with agencies serving the newcomer community.

• We have vibrant school-based ESUESD programming, with skilled and knowledgeable central resource staff to support schools.

• We have expert school-based and central staff to support students including social workers, psychologists, speech language pathologists and I SSP teachers.

• Our school staff have proven structures in place to welcome and support newcomer refugee students and families.

• Schools can draw on support for interpreters and translators.

Immediate Actions

• Staff in Curriculum are working on new resources and supports for schools specifically to assist ELD students.

• Tip sheets for principal and school staffs are being developed by the Special Education department to provide strategies for supporting students (and families), whose needs may include referral to professional services and/or special education supports.

• Beyond these supports, the team identifies a key need to coordinate support for schools for ESL and ELD students. Based on volume, and on the levels of language proficiency, schools may need advice and assistance in fully serving refugee students. A central resource teacher will be assigned this work until the end of the school year. The role will help schools assess need, provide guidance and support, and serve as a clearinghouse for requests from schools. This role will be funded from within the department.

• WWTW staff have been collecting clothing and bedding for refugee families and schools and the community have been generous in their giving.

3

• Staff are connecting with our child care partners to explore possible supports/subsidies for before and after school care for refugee families.

• The We Welcome the World Centres have negotiated a formal agreement with the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture. They will offer one to two days a week of free counselling services at the Elm Drive location to support those who have experienced trauma from war and conflict.

• Staff are working with our technology equity of access partners to identify free or low-cost technology options for refugee families.

• We are working with Peel Health to ensure needed supports-including dental screening-are available to refugee families at the centres

• The WWTW centres will offer additional parent sessions in Arabic such as Understanding the School System, Getting Ready for Kindergarten, the ESL Advantage and Making My Way.

• MSEP workers who are Arabic speaking will be redeployed to schools with higher numbers of refugees.

Ministry has announced potential additional funding

On Friday, December 4, the Ministry of Education communicated to boards, initial plans to support refugees. In terms of funding, they said:

"Syrian refugees are being admitted to Canada with the status of "permanent resident", as defined by Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Ontario's Education Act (subsection 49. (7)) includes a provision that such pupils are exempt from paying any fee. These pupils will be identified in OnSIS as permanent residents.

Funding through the 2015-16 GSN will therefore adjust, to some extent, to any increase in the number of students resulting from the resettlement of Syrian refugees, depending on the timing of when the students enter the boards.

At the same time, the ministry recognizes that these newcomer students may require additional supports from schools to address language proficiency needs and a wide range of other needs in areas such as extraordinary special education costs, social work, mental health and translation/interpreters. In particular, the ministry recognizes that school boards may incur additional expenses and face cost pressures in providing appropriate programs and services that go beyond current planned programming and service levels.

Boards are encouraged to track these one-time extraordinary expenses. The ministry, in partnership with the federal government, will ensure that school boards have the resources and support required to successfully integrate Syrian refugees into our education system. The Financial Policy and Business Division of the ministry will provide a template to guide the collection of data in the near future."

4

More funding is needed

While the size and scale of the need is not fully known, what is clear is the requirement for additional funding to support schools to ensure a warm welcome and successful school experience for refugee students. This includes:

• The board has offered Ashgrove and Lakeview Park schools to the Region of Peel as potential sites to house refugee families. There will be significant funding required for the retrofit of these schools, and for operational costs, to ensure that the refugee families are comfortable and have an appropriate standard of living.

• If large numbers of refugees arrive with limited foundational first language skills, there will be a need to deploy additional supports and potentially to create clusters of students for 4-6 weeks of intensive ESUELD support.

• There will be a need in general for additional teaching staff, teaching assistants, resource staff, ISSP staff and more.

• The special education needs will mean the addition of social work, psychologist and speech language supports.

• The federally co-funded programs such as WWTW and MSEP will need additional staffing, including more Arabic MSEP workers.

Next Steps

The Inspire Hope Action Team will continue to meet, and identify how best to support schools to warmly welcome refugee families. The team will work to coordinate services, collect information, and identify funding gaps.

The goal is simple-to Inspire Hope in our refugee students and families. We want to ensure that they are warmly welcomed, and have a successful school experience. In other words, we want them to experience the same success, confidence and hope we provide each day to our students.

5

Ministry of Education

Minister

Mowat Block Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1L2

Memorandum To:

From:

Date:

Subject:

Ministere de !'Education

Ministre

Edifice Mowat Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1L2

School Board Chairs

Minister Liz Sandals

December 4, 2015

Syrian Refugee Settlement in Ontario

~ ~

Ontario

Ontario is home to one of the most diverse populations in the world, where generations have come to build new lives. With thousands of Syrian refugees expected to come to Ontario, this is a great opportunity to show we are a welcoming and inclusive society.

We are working with the federal government to ensure seamless, co-ordinated and responsive support for refugees arriving in Ontario. The revised federal government plan says they will identify 25,000 Syrian refugees (a mix of privately-sponsored and government-assisted) by December 31, with a target of 10,000 arriving by December 31, and the remainder by the end of February.

Ontario regularly receives and settles 12,000 refugees a year, and we will continue to work with the federal government and their partners over the coming weeks to finalize our emergency response and settlement plans. With added resources from both ourselves and the federal government, we know we can settle the Syrian refugees we receive, and help integrate them into our communities. While we are still working with the federal government on various details, we will provide regular, up-to-date information as we continue to finalize plans.

As you know, we have been working with school boards during the past month to gather information, identify resources already in place, and determine what resources will be required. The ministry, in partnership with the federal government, will ensure that school boards have the resources and support required to successfully integrate Syrian refugees into our education system, including language and mental health supports. While this is the first in ongoing communications on this topic, I am attaching a memo from my deputy minister to directors of education with further details on our plans.

. . ./2

-2-

Our track record in helping newcomers adjust to Canada and succeed in school is exceptional. As the OECD report Ontario, Canada: Reform to Support High Achievement in a Diverse Context pointed out: "Not only do its students perform well, they perform well despite their socio-economic status, first language or whether they are native Canadians or recent immigrants." In fact, the gap in student achievement for many of our new students learning English or French has dropped dramatically since 2003.

We are confident that the strategies and programs that have helped deliver those results will do the same for new students from Syria. I look forward to working with you , your boards and staff, and sharing more information as it becomes available.

I also know that many of your colleagues and community members are asking how they can volunteer to help. The following links provide information that can be helpful in understanding how Ontarians can welcome our newcomers, and how we can help:

• http://www .cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/welcome/index.asp

• http://www.ontario.ca/page/syrian-refugees-how-you-can-help

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Liz Sandals Minister

Regular Meeting of the Board December 8, 2015

Fast Report: December 7, 20151 Vol. 27, No. 32 Weekly information for decision-makers in Education

Inside the Current Edition

• 2015 Holiday Message from OPSBA

• 2016 Public Education Symposium

• 2016 Summit on Children & Youth Mental Health

12.2

• OPSBA November 2015 Executive Council and Board of Directors

• EatRight Ontario•s Kids Recipe Challenge

• Legislative UPDATE

• Ontario NEWSROOM

• From Education PARTNERS

• Career BOARD

• Upcoming Events

December 2015

Dear Friends in Education,

Each day, we have the privilege of helping to build cultures of success and student well-being. This inspirational work

isn't the product of any one group. It is built on strong partnerships and relies on the collective contribution of dedicated

individuals. You know this well and you nurture it, with all your heart and steadfast commitment.

We at OPSBA are honoured to share our goals with so many people who are passionately engaged in shaping a world

in which children can thrive and dream and grow from strength to strength.

This time of year inspires reflection and we hope you will feel a sense of accomplishment in the many ways in which

you put Ontario's children at the core of your efforts. It is a time as well when we wish every good thing for our families,

our friends, our colleagues, our community, and for all those in need across the world. This year we continue our

tradition of making a charitable contribution instead of sending greeting cards. On your behalf, OPSBA will make a

donation to Save the Children in support of child refugees and continue to work to ensure all newcomers to Canada

receive the education they need to succeed.

We wish you peace and joyful moments among your family and friends this holiday season and we thank you for your

commitment to our children and youth, and hope that 2016 will bring you inspiration and fulfillment in equal measure.

Michael Barrett, President Gail Anderson, Executive Director

2016 Public Education Symposium

January 28-30, 2016

Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto

In partnership with ACEPO

NEW

Student Trustee Workshop- "The Leader In You" on Friday, January 29.

REGISTER NOW

Pre-Symposium - Thursday, January 28: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Main Symposium- Thursday, January 28: 7:00p.m. to Saturday, 30: 12:00 noon

PRE-SYMPOSIUM

•

•

•

•

•

Minister of Education, Liz Sandals

Nancy Matthews, ADM Early Years Division, Ministry of Education

Session on improving the relationship between the principal and individual teachers in a

school and how that relationship impacts on student learning

Labour Relations

Leadership and Succession Planning

MAIN SYMPOSIUM

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

• RICHARD GERVER - "Change: Learn to Love It, Learn to Lead"

Educator, innovator, advisor to the U.K. Goverment

• NATALIE PANEK- Rocket Scientist & Advocate for Women in Technology

• CLOSING KEYNOTE- to be confirmed

2

PLENARY SESSIONS

WORKSHOPS

MEETINGS

Where:

Who:

Hotel rate:

HOTEL CUT­OFF DATE:

• Daniel Ansari - "Mind, Brain & Education"

Professor, Canada Research Chair in Developmental Cognitive

Neuroscience, Department of Psychology Brain and Mind Institute, The

University of Western Ontario

• Shelley White, President and CEO, United Way, Peel Region

Effective Strategies for Reducing Poverty

• The New Role of the Ombudsman

• Poverty Blueprint for Ontario Schools

• Legal Issues

• Internal Audits and The Role of the Audit Committee

• Student Trustee Workshop- "The Leader In You"

• OPSBA Regional Meetings

• First Nations Meeting

• Directors of Education

Sheraton Centre Hotel 123 Queen Street West, Toronto Sheraton Centre Hotel - reservations

Trustees, Directors of Education, supervisory officers, student trustees and other school board members are encouraged to attend this annual OPSBA/ACEPO event.

$200.99 single/double, plus taxes and $230.99 triple, plus taxes. Please contact the hotel directly and identify the OPSBA/ACEPO Group Rate

• Online hotel reservations {link above)

• Telephone: 416-361-1000 {Reservation Office) or Toll free {Central Reservation Office) 1-888-627-7175

Friday, January 8, 2016 After the deadline, the special rate will be provided on a space available basis only.

3

Program Outline

Online Registration

For more information: Susan Weinberg, Policy and Professional Development Coordinator, ext. 128; or Ernesta

Graham, Events Coordinator, ext. 115; or email the Webmaster

2016 Summit on Children & Youth Mental Health

April 7-8, 2016

Allstream Centre

105 Princes' Boulevard, Toronto

NEW

Main Summit workshop choices are now available

Pre-Summit Sessions: Thursday, April7, 2016

Main Summit: Thursday, April 7 to Friday, April 8

To view Pre-Summit Sessions and Friday Main Summit Workshops, click here.

Online Registration

View the Save the Date flyer for more information (English)

Save the Date flyer (French)

Hosted by the Ontario Coalition for Children and Youth Mental Health- a multi-sector group committed to urgent and

positive change for children and youth mental health services in Ontario.

The Summit on Children and Youth Mental Health is a unique event that unites the voices of educators, professional

student services personnel, mental health and health professionals, children service agencies, children service

advocates, families and students.

The focus of the 2016 Summit is Moving From Policy to Practice Through Collaboration. Acclaimed speakers will offer

evidence-informed practices, programs and resources that have been shown to work and can make a real difference in

the lives of children, youth and their families. A highlight for the 2016 Summit is the first release of the preliminary

results of the 2014 Ontario Child Health Study.

Participants will have a unique opportunity to network across sectors. It is recommended that you register a multi­

sectoral team from your community to continue the dialogue beyond the Summit.

For questions on program content, please contact Judith Nyman, OPSBA Director of Program

Policy, jnyman @opsba.org.

4

Pre-Summit Sessions

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Registration: 1 :30 p.m.

Workshops: 2:00-5:15 p.m.

1. Together to Live I Vivons, ensemble I Maamaawi Bimaadiziwiin: Supporting Whole

Community Approaches to Address Youth Suicide

2. Leading Mentally Healthy Schools: Practical Resources for Principals and Vice-Principals to

Enhance Student Mental Well-Being

3. Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces: We all Have a Role to Play

4. Resilient, Active and Flourishing

Main Summit

Thursday, April 7 (5:00p.m.) -- Friday, April 8 (4:00p.m.)

Friday 1 :30 p.m.

1. Care for Children and Youth with Mental Disorders

2. Youth Mental Health and Addictions Champions: A Student Engagement Initiative

3. The YTP: Transitioning Youth into Adult Services

4. Communications and Mental Health: Planning for Strategic Success

5. Creating Spaces of Belonging: Aboriginal Perspectives on Mental Health and Well-Being

6. Community Collaboration to Meet French Language Children and Youth Mental Health Needs

7. Evidence-Based Practices in Promoting Mental Health in Primary School Children to Prevent Suicides in Future

Generations by Teaching Children Coping Skills

8. Working Effectively in 5 Sessions or Less! An Evidence-Based Review of the Brief Services Literature in Child and

Youth Mental Health

9. Creating Effective Learning Environments through Project-Based Learning

10. Single Ceiling: Lessons Learned from a Community-Wide Assessment of the Mental Health Strengths and Needs

of Children and their Families

11. Developing and Sharing Online Resources, Tools and Strategies with Teachers and for Teachers to Promote

Mental Health and Build Resilience for Students and Teachers

5

Friday 2:45 p.m.

1. Collaboratively Transforming the System in your Community- Supporting Youth through their Transition to Adult

Services

2. B.Y.O.D. (Bring Your Own Devices) -Clinical Implications in Living in a Digital World

3. From Clinic to School: Delivering the Integra Mindfulness Martial Arts Program within the Trillium Lakelands District

School Board

4. Working Better Together: The Peel Service Collaborative Project

5. Developing a System of Supports for Transition Age Youth in Simcoe/Muskoka

6. Sustaining Resilient, Positive School Climates with a Systemic Approach to Self-Regulation

7. Collaborative Approaches to Promoting Positive Permanency Outcomes in Openness and Adoption

8. Evaluation of a Population-Based School Mental Health Promotion Program for Young Adolescents in Ottawa- The

Healthy Transitions Program

9. Intersections: Right Support, Right Provider, Right Time

1 0. Feathers of Hope: A First Nations Youth Action Plan

11 . Promoting Resilience for Children's Mental Well-Being- Use of "Reaching in .. . Reaching Out" in Early Education

Classrooms

OPSBA November 2015 Executive Council and Board of Directors Meetings

http: I /www.opsba.org/index.php?q=print/ 4345

The OPSBA Executive Council and Board of Directors held meetings on November 27 and 28, 2015. Items and issues

that were discussed by members at the meeting are summarized below.

Presentation from Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth

Irwin Elman gave an overview of the Office of the Provincial Advocate's work supporting Ontario's vulnerable

children and youth. A brief Q&A with board members was also held.

Copyright

The Executive Director gave an update on behalf of Cynthia Andrew, OPSBA Copyright Representative, regarding

ongoing copyright activities. It was noted that the Copyright Board has not yet filed a decision regarding the proposed

Access Copyright Tariff Proceeding that occurred more than a year ago. A decision is expected in 2016. School boards

should continue to operate under the current guidelines. The report also highlighted the importance of being vigilant to

protect the education community's definition of fare dealing amendments in the Canadian Copyright Act. This fair

dealing affects classroom use of copyrighted materials.

Labour Relations

The Director, Associate Director and Manager of Labour Relations provided a comprehensive report on progress at

the various collective bargaining tables where OPSBA is representing its member boards.

6

Communications and Media Relations

The Director of Communication's report provided an overview of school board communications and response related to

Ontario's assistance with regards to the Syrian refugee crisis. The Board of Directors supported a motion to have

OPSBA work with member boards to welcome and support the successful settlement of refugee families by supporting

Syrian children and youth in our public education system.

Finance

The Director of Finance reported on the recently released list of 2015 Capital Priorities, the School Energy Coalition

Status Report, Student Transportation RFPs, and OPSBA's feedback to the current 0. Reg. 444/98 {Disposition of

Surplus Real Property) and 2016 Grants for Students Needs consultations.

Early Years Update

The Director of Policy reported about a recent OPSBA-hosted technical advisory between Ministry of Education Early

Years Division Staff and several early learning leads from member boards. The meeting was undertaken to discuss

Phase 2 Regulatory Proposals stemming from the Child Care and Early Years Act. The regularity posting will be

displayed on the government's registry website in early January for a mandatory period of 45 days. OPSBA will

respond to the posting. OPSBA will be attending the December 9 meeting of the Ministry' Early Years Advisory

Committee.

Legislative Updates

The Director of Policy provided a summary of current legislation including the recent Municipal Elections Act Review

and the Municipal Legislation Review. Other bills of note include: Bi/1113, Police Record Checks Reform Act; Bill

115, Electoral Boundaries Act; Bi/1139, Smoke-Free Schools Act and Bi/1149, Rowan's Law Advisory Committee Act.

She also provided verbal updates with regards to recent school board activities in Quebec and PEl.

Community Hubs Strategic Framework and Action Plan

The Communications and Policy Officer provided an update on the current status of the Community Hubs Strategic

Framework and Action Plan, noting inparticular recent meetings with AMO staff and partner school board

associations, and OPSBA's participation, through staff and First Vice-President Laurie French, at the November 30

Minister's Forum on Integrated Planning for Community Hubs.

AODA Update

The Communications and Policy Officer provided an update on the ongoing implementation of the Accessibility for

Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation noting in particular that school

board compliance reports are due by the end of 2015 and that OPSBA has filed its report. Recent proposed

housekeeping regulatory changes to three accessibility regulations were mentioned, as well as consultation regarding

the Government's proposed accessibility certification program.

First Nations Council Update

Alternate First Nation Director Karen Sandy, Grand Erie DSB, gave a report on the activities of the First Nation

Trustees Council, including advocacy on First Nation, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) curriculum, the Working Group of the

Minister's Advisory Council on FNMI, First Nation Director Peter Garrow's presentation at the People for Education

7

Conference and the building of trustee capacity through the new FNMI Education Professional Development Module

now available online at http://ontarioschooltrustees.org

In addition, the Board of Directors passed a motion calling for OPSBA support of the Calls to Action set out in the

report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and continuation of advocacy for implementation of the Calls

to Action.

Policy Development and Education Program Work Teams

The Director of Policy gave a report on the November 18 Policy Development teleconference. Of note, OPSBA will be

writing a letter to the federal government requesting that the reinstatement of the long-form census be accelerated.

The Education Program Work Team is meeting on December 4.

Child and Youth Mental Health Coalition

The Director of Program Policy presented the minutes of the previous Coalition meeting and mentioned the

organization's new co-chair, Dr. Patrick Carney, a psychologist with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School

Board. The next Coalition meeting is on Tuesday, December 4. Representatives from the four Ministries regularly

involved in related work will be in attendance. Board members were encouraged to attend the Summit on Children

and Youth Mental Health in April2016.

Public Education Symposium

The Board of Directors was encouraged to attend the pre-symposium and symposium from January 28 to 30, 2016.

Keynote speakers for PES 2016 were also outlined.

MACSE

Cheryl Lovell, OPSBA's representative to the Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education, gave a report on the

council's recent activities, mentioning the appointment of the new Director, Special Education Policy and Programs

Branch, Louise Sirisko.

CSBA

President Michael Barrett announced that he has asked First Vice-President Laurie French to serve as the OPSBA

delegate to future CSBA meetings. VP French reported on proceedings from the October 4 and 5 meetings of the

CSBA board and encouraged members to attend the association's 2016 AGM in Winnipeg.

EatRight Ontario's Kids Recipe Challenge

EatRight Ontario is a provincially funded nutrition telehealth line where Ontario residents can connect with a registered

dietitian for free. Every year, Eat Right runs a Kids Recipe contest that encourages parents and kids to work together in

the kitchen to create healthy recipes or share their family favourites. This contest has also been a popular activity for

teachers to do with their students when talking about healthy eating principles.

The deadline for submissions is December 7, 2015.

Who can enter

Ontario students in grades 1-8

8

What to do

Kids need to create an original, kid-friendly recipe for breakfast, school lunch, snacks and dinner. Traditional family

favourites and recipes from around the world are encouraged!

Prizes

Participants have a chance to win prizes like iPods, gift cards and cookbooks! All winning recipes will be posted on the

EatRight Ontario website.

Download entry form (3.52 MB PDF)

For more information, visit eatrightontario.ca

Legislative UPDATE

The following is a summary of recent activity in the Legislature:

The Premier's Office announced some staffing changes and included was Howie Bender, currently the Chief of Staff to

Liz Sandals, Minister of Education. In January, he will move and become Chief of Staff to Deb Matthews, Deputy

Premier and President of the Treasury Board. She is also the Minister responsible for the province's Poverty Reduction

Strategy.

Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk released a nearly-BOO page annual report. The report contains 14 value-for-money

audits of various government programs, as well as sections on access to government agencies' reports and on

government debt. The recommendation for student transportation calls for the government to strengthen its oversight of

school buses.

Student Transportation: The ministry of Education, along with Ontario's school boards, are largely responsible for

providing daily school bus service to more than 830,000 students each year. The Ministry of Transportation enforces

laws and regulations that relate to the safe operation of school vehicles. The audit assessed whether there were

effective systems and procedures to safely and efficiently transport elementary and secondary school students; ensure

service across the province is equitable and based on need; and measure and report on performance.

The Parliament of Canada was resumed in Ottawa. The first item on the Orders of the day will be the election of the

Speaker of the House of Commons and this was Geoff Regan (Halifax-West). The Throne Speech will be delivered by

Governor General David Johnston. The federal government has released its parliamentary secretary assignments. Of

note, Kate Young (London West) is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport. Kate was the Manager of

Public Affairs and Community Relations at the Thames Valley DSB.

Also, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs will meet to conduct Pre-Budget consultations. The

Committee intends to hold public hearings in Hamilton, Ottawa, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Toronto, and Windsor

during the weeks of January 18 and February 1, 2016. Details will be provided as soon as they are available.

9

Bill 113, Police Record Checks Reform Act

Introduced on June 3, 2015 by Yasir Naqvi, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. The legislation

establishes and standardizes three types of record checks: a criminal record check, a criminal record and judicial

matters check, and a vulnerable sector check. It will allow a person to transfer their "check" approval if they were to

move to a different area instead of having to get a new check. The bill received Royal Assent.

Bill 115, Electoral Boundaries Act

Introduced on June 4, 2015 by Madeleine Meilleur, Attorney General. The bill creates 15 new ridings in southern

Ontario, mostly in areas that have seen significant population growth, such as Toronto, Peel, York, Durham and

Ottawa. The existing 11 northern ridings will be maintained, despite the federal government reducing its riding

redistribution to 1 0 in the north. The new electoral map will be in place for the next general election scheduled for 2018.

The bill received Royal Assent yesterday.

Bill 117, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Amendment Act

Introduced on September 4, 2015 by NDP Monique Taylor. This legislation includes an obligation on agencies and

service providers to inform the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth promptly if they become aware of the death

or critical injury of a child or youth and a children's aid society has been involved with the child or youth, or with the

child's or youth's family, within 12 months of the death or critical injury. The bill has received Third Reading and is

expected to receive Royal Assent.

Bill 139, Smoke-Free Schools Act

Introduced on November 16, 2015 by PC Todd Smith. The bill proposes to amend the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and the

Tobacco Tax Act. The legislation would require the government to establish a public education program about the

health risks associated with smoking and to add schools as places where the sale of tobacco is prohibited. In addition,

Bill139 would increase fines for those who make and sell contraband cigarettes to high school students. The bill has

been referred to the Standing Committee on General Government.

Bill 149, Rowan's Law Advisory Committee Act

This afternoon Bill149, Rowan's Law Advisory Committee Act, was introduced by PC Lisa Macleod and co-sponsored

by Liberal John Fraser and NDP Catherine Fife. Rowan Stringer was a student at the Ottawa-Carleton DSB who died

from head injuries while playing rugby in 2013. Last spring, an inquest was conducted and a jury released 46

recommendations directed to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the Ontario Ministry of Education and

the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, OPHEA, and OSBIE. Many of the recommendations reference

PPM 158, School Board Policies on Concussions. School boards were to have their concussion policy fully

implemented no later than January 30, 2015.The bill asks for an advisory committee to review the inquest's

recommendations. First Reading debate is to begin on December 10, 2015.

10

Consultation on Ontario Regulation 444/98 - Disposition of Surplus Real Property

The regulation was officially posted for public consultation on November 12,2015 via Ontario's Regulatory Registry.

Comments are due December 29, 2015. OSPBA will be providing a submission based on feedback from previous

community hubs discussion, the Policy Development Work Team and senior business officials at member boards.

Additionally, OPSBA staff participated in a consultation session with Ministry of Education Finance Branch staff on

November 6, 2015. It is expected that the revised regulations would be filed in spring 2016.

Proposed regulation changes include:

• Extending the property circulation period; and

• Expanding the list of public entities to receive notification of surplus property disposition.

Click here for more information.

TDSB By-election

The representation for Ward 21 Scarborough-Rouge River was vacated by trustee Shaun Chen when he was elected

to the House of Commons on October 19, 2015. A by-election will be conducted on January 25, 2016 to fill the office.

Nominations are now open, and can be filed until December 11, 2015.

Click here for more information about the by-election and the list of current candidates.

Ontario NEWSROOM

Ontario Building Capacity to Support Refugees, December 4

Ontario Passes Legislation to Promote Smart Community Growth, December 3

Ontario Passes Law to Ensure Fair Representation in the Legislature, December 2

Ontario Passes Police Record Checks Legislation, December 1

Premier's Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25

Ontario Releases New Climate Change Strategy, November 24

Ontario Accepts Recommendations to Strengthen the Ontario College of Trades, November 20

Ontario Helping Young Entrepreneurs Kick-Start Own Business, November 20

Ontario Raises $1.83 Billion for Infrastructure Investments, November 12

Ontario Investing $13.5 Million in After School Program, November 10

Ontario Building 30 New Schools, Over 2,000 Licensed Child Care Spaces, November 9

Ontario Invests $27M in Youth Entrepreneurship, November 6

Ontario Honouring Fallen Soldiers Along Highway of Heroes, November 6

From Education PARTNERS

Curriculum Services Canada (CSC), Webcasts for Educators

11

EatRight Ontario Kids Recipe Challege

Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO), Transitions Conference, March 23-24, 2016

Kids Help Phone, BroTalk, a new service that speaks directly to teen guys

Kids Help Phone, Youth Outreach Materials

Miller Thomson LLP, Education Law Newsletter

Ophea Healthy Schools Update

OASBO Diploma in School Board Administration

Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA)

Career BOARD

Career Board (from OPSBA members and education partners)

Upcoming Events

JANUARY 2016

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Wednesday, January 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

OPSBA, Toronto

PUBLIC EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM

January 28-30, 2016

Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto

Hotel cut-off date: January 8

REGIONAL MEETINGS

Saturday, January 30 (during PES)

FEBRUARY 2016

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Friday, February 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

OPSBA, Toronto

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Friday, February 19, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. &

Saturday, February 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sheraton Centre Hotel, 123 Queen St W, Toronto

Phone: 416-361-1 000 or 1-888-627-7175

OPSBA Board of Directors Rate: $155

Hotel cut-off date: January 19

12

,

NORTHERN REGION DIRECTORS

Friday, February 19, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

OPSBA, Toronto

MARCH 2016

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Wednesday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

OPSBA, Toronto

EDUCATION LABOUR RELATIONS & HUMAN RESOURCES CONFERENCE

March 31-April1, 2016

Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto

Hotel cut-off date: February 29

APRIL 2016

CHILDREN & YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT

Aprii7-April8, 2016

Allstream Conference Centre, Toronto

Novotel Hotel cut-off date: March 16

REGIONAL MEETINGS

Saturday, April 9

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Friday, April 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

OPSBA, Toronto

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Friday, April 29, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. &

Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sheraton Centre Hotel, 123 Queen St W, Toronto

Phone: 416-361-1000 or 1-888-627-7175

OPSBA Board of Directors Rate: $155

Hotel cut-off date: March 29

NORTHERN REGION DIRECTORS

Friday, April 29, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

OPSBA, Toronto

MAY 2016

EDUCATION PROGRAM I POLICY DEVELOPMENT JOINT MEETING

May 13, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

OPSBA, Toronto

13

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Friday, May 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

OPSBA, Toronto

JUNE 2016

OPSBA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & PROGRAM

June 9-12,2016

Hosted by Eastern Region

About Fast Reports

If you have any comments about Fast Reports, contact CARLA GARBAS, Editor

MICHAEL BARRETT, President • GAIL ANDERSON, Executive Director OPSBA • 439 University Avenue, 18th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Y8 Tel: (416) 340-2540 Fax: (416) 340-7571

14

'