Local Education
The Upper Grand District School Board is a very large organization with 72 schools and over 3400 employees, Education Assistants, Early Childhood Educators, Teachers, support staff, administration, maintenance and operations staff, in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin Counties. The Board's annual operating Budget is over four hundred million dollars.
There are many aspects of Classroom Learning and Board Operations that is set out in provincial Ministry of Education Legislation and Regulation. The Board of Trustees, Director of Education and the Board staff, work to comply with these directives and also respond to the diverse needs of our families and school communities.
I have been an active Public School Board Trustee for the past 12 years and have been involved with many initiatives that have a focus on improving student learning and well-being. I hope to be re-elected as Trustee and continue our community conversations.
Between September 1, 2017 - August 31, 2018, I participated in approximately:
As a Board of Trustees we work on many system-wide plans, some are listed below.
Student Achievement & Well-being: Data is used to inform the Board's long term goals for literacy, numeracy, student engagement and well-being. The comprehensive Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement [BIPSA] develops strategies and programs to improve the achievement of these long term [four year] goals. The staff engage and report back to the Trustees on these developments and outcomes.
The Long Term Accommodation Plan: In 2018 the Board completed an extensive Long Term Planning consultation process. This is important to parents and communities as it is an opportunity to take a look at, and have conversations about, board-wide enrolment trends. The Board of Trustees will set long term priorities for the UGDSB Planning staff.
Special Education: The UGDSB is committed to providing supports and services for children with exceptionalities. While the Ministry of Education
is committed to making changes to the Special Education funding formula, the UGDSB continues to spend more on Special Education than we receive in grants. This next term will require the Board of Trustees to be vigilant as funding changes occur.
French Language Action Plan: The Board staff developed a French Action Plan for the Ministry of Education. The overarching objective is to improve our students' French Language Proficiency. A continuing development and investment is the Diplôme d'études en langue française/ Diploma of French Language Studies [DELF]. This assessment process is suitable for any students of French, Core or French Immersion. The DELF provides students with proficiency scores for listening, reading, writing and speaking. Many employers and post secondary institutions require DELF proficiency scores.
How can you get involved in Public Education?
School Council: All Elementary and Secondary Schools have School Councils led by parents. Council activities are focused on improving student learning, achievement and well-being. Bring your ideas and suggestions to a meeting, join a committee, help at an event or join Council!
Special Education Advisory Committee [SEAC]: This Advisory Committee is made up of parents representing provincial Associations. Representatives share information from their Associations and bring forward recommendations for the development and delivery of programs and services for pupils with exceptionalities. SEAC reviews the Special Education Report, Plan and is consulted on Board policies and during the Budget process.
Parent Involvement Committee [PIC]: This is a Board-level Committee that provides advice and feedback on the ways the Board could engage more parents in supporting the learning of their children. The PIC organizes a number of annual events and provides opportunities for parents to receive information, connect with other parents and build skills. The Parent Involvement Committee is consulted on Board policies and during the Budget process.
For additional Information please do not hesitate to contact me or visit:
Ontario Education Services Corporation - great information about the role of trustees
www.elections.ontarioschooltrustees.org
People for Education - they have helpful information in various languages
www.peopleforeducation.ca
The Upper Grand District School Board is a very large organization with 72 schools and over 3400 employees, Education Assistants, Early Childhood Educators, Teachers, support staff, administration, maintenance and operations staff, in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin Counties. The Board's annual operating Budget is over four hundred million dollars.
There are many aspects of Classroom Learning and Board Operations that is set out in provincial Ministry of Education Legislation and Regulation. The Board of Trustees, Director of Education and the Board staff, work to comply with these directives and also respond to the diverse needs of our families and school communities.
I have been an active Public School Board Trustee for the past 12 years and have been involved with many initiatives that have a focus on improving student learning and well-being. I hope to be re-elected as Trustee and continue our community conversations.
Between September 1, 2017 - August 31, 2018, I participated in approximately:
- 174 Board Meetings, Committee Meetings, Working Group Meetings
- 7 Ontario conferences and Regional Meetings
- 67 Board, School and Public events
- and many hours researching, reading reports, connecting with parents and being an active local politician!
As a Board of Trustees we work on many system-wide plans, some are listed below.
Student Achievement & Well-being: Data is used to inform the Board's long term goals for literacy, numeracy, student engagement and well-being. The comprehensive Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement [BIPSA] develops strategies and programs to improve the achievement of these long term [four year] goals. The staff engage and report back to the Trustees on these developments and outcomes.
The Long Term Accommodation Plan: In 2018 the Board completed an extensive Long Term Planning consultation process. This is important to parents and communities as it is an opportunity to take a look at, and have conversations about, board-wide enrolment trends. The Board of Trustees will set long term priorities for the UGDSB Planning staff.
Special Education: The UGDSB is committed to providing supports and services for children with exceptionalities. While the Ministry of Education
is committed to making changes to the Special Education funding formula, the UGDSB continues to spend more on Special Education than we receive in grants. This next term will require the Board of Trustees to be vigilant as funding changes occur.
French Language Action Plan: The Board staff developed a French Action Plan for the Ministry of Education. The overarching objective is to improve our students' French Language Proficiency. A continuing development and investment is the Diplôme d'études en langue française/ Diploma of French Language Studies [DELF]. This assessment process is suitable for any students of French, Core or French Immersion. The DELF provides students with proficiency scores for listening, reading, writing and speaking. Many employers and post secondary institutions require DELF proficiency scores.
How can you get involved in Public Education?
School Council: All Elementary and Secondary Schools have School Councils led by parents. Council activities are focused on improving student learning, achievement and well-being. Bring your ideas and suggestions to a meeting, join a committee, help at an event or join Council!
Special Education Advisory Committee [SEAC]: This Advisory Committee is made up of parents representing provincial Associations. Representatives share information from their Associations and bring forward recommendations for the development and delivery of programs and services for pupils with exceptionalities. SEAC reviews the Special Education Report, Plan and is consulted on Board policies and during the Budget process.
Parent Involvement Committee [PIC]: This is a Board-level Committee that provides advice and feedback on the ways the Board could engage more parents in supporting the learning of their children. The PIC organizes a number of annual events and provides opportunities for parents to receive information, connect with other parents and build skills. The Parent Involvement Committee is consulted on Board policies and during the Budget process.
For additional Information please do not hesitate to contact me or visit:
Ontario Education Services Corporation - great information about the role of trustees
www.elections.ontarioschooltrustees.org
People for Education - they have helpful information in various languages
www.peopleforeducation.ca
Copyright © 2018 Linda Busuttil All rights reserved.
