Presentations

Huntsville High School Robotics

A special presentation was made by the Huntsville High School (HHS) Hoya Robotics team who recently competed at the 2022 FIRST Ontario Provincial Championship. The students shared their experience, knowledge, and the perseverance needed to build, train, and compete at the provincial level. HHS computer science teacher and robotics coach, Ian McTavish, highlighted the various areas of responsibility and skill sets of their robotics team and explained how the students each play a role in making an effective team.

Director’s Recognition Award

The Director’s Recognition Award highlights extraordinary contributions by staff members, students, school volunteers, or community members, and is presented by the Director of Education, Wes Hahn, at each Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) Regular Meeting of the Board. Hahn introduced this month’s recipients of the Director’s Recognition Award.

Huntsville High School computer science teacher, Ian McTavish, has dedicated himself to the promotion of technology in the classroom. He saw both a need and an opportunity to expand this program, and introduced computer science and coding/programming to the Grade 9 Tech rotation. As this program grew, it wasn’t difficult for McTavish to make the leap from a student-centered, inquiry-based classroom, to an outstanding competitive robotics team! McTavish creates an inclusive, caring environment where students work collaboratively with other teammates and community mentors. McTavish’s enthusiasm for what he does is contagious, and as the program continues to grow, so does our students’ skill set. McTavish’s drive and dedication to his students is what makes this program so successful.

Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School Acting Head of Specialized Services, Jen McCreary, manages her role with boundless energy, compassion, and professionalism. Without judgment, and with steady grace and patience during this busy and unusual year, she is ready to support staff and students with their teaching and learning needs. McCreary has proven to be a creative problem-solver who is able to prioritize needs and pivot on a dime. She is always ready to jump in and be hands-on where needed, prioritizing student wellness and safety. Additionally, she hosts lunch-and-learn professional development sessions that tackle special education topics that are timely and responsive to current staff learning needs. McCreary is an optimistic leader who is intentional about recognizing the strengths of others.

Elementary learning

Superintendent of Learning, Jay MacJanet, gave an update on the work of the Elementary Curriculum team to date this school year. MacJanet highlighted how the team redesigned their leadership plan to align with the direction of the Board, which includes a four-part professional development series to position  aspiring leaders well for their future.

MacJanet noted an increase in the number of English language learner (ELL) students in TLDSB and explained that supports have been put in place for the ELL students at their home school. He also noted that EQAO will be administered in late May and into June. It will be offered online this year and professional development for educators has taken place so that educators are prepared to administer the assessment and students are prepared to take it. 

New this spring is the Reaching Forward Tutoring support program and job postings have been put out by schools to recruit tutors. This program will have after school opportunities, as well as in-school support during the school day. Each school will advertise for tutoring and registration will happen through the school. MacJanet also noted that the summer learning program will be running again this summer and expanding to have more sites than we did last summer with approximately 5-6 weeks of learning at each site. 

Director’s update

Director of Education, Wes Hahn, highlighted TLDSB programs and initiatives and how they are  connected to the strategic plan. In particular, he noted that the elementary report given by MacJanet was a great look at what areas we’ve been engaged in over the year thus far. Hahn emphasized that our educators are engaging students in meaningful ways and one of the best things that the leadership in our system can do is to continue to support the people in service to our students.

Administrative reports

Grants for Student Needs

Superintendent of Business, Tim Ellis, gave an overview of the Grants for Student Needs (GSN) and Priorities and Partnership Funding (PPF). Ellis noted the province projections in each area along with allocations that TLDSB is expecting. 

G7 Student Senate Report

Student Trustee, en Hunter, gave an update on the G7 Student Senate’s involvement in an initiative for all schools to participate in to promote Menstrual Equity, called the Menstrual Equity Challenge. More information about the Menstrual Equity challenge will be shared with TLDSB on May 9, 2022. Hunter also shared that next year’s student trustees have been elected by their G7 Student Senate peers and they will be Alexia Evans-Turnbull from Huntsville High School and Logan MacInnis from Fenelon Fall Secondary School.

2022 Board and Committee of the Whole meeting schedule

Board meetings are open to the public to attend the host location in person. For virtual access, the meetings are live streamed and the link is made available on the tldsb.ca website on the day of the meeting.

Meeting	Date	Time	Location (pending)*
Committee of the Whole	May 10, 2022	6:30 p.m.	Minden- Archie Stouffer Elementary School
Regular Board Meeting	May 24, 2022	6:30 p.m.	LEC
Regular Board Meeting	June 14, 2022	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Regular Board Meeting	August 23, 2022	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Committee of the Whole	September 13, 2022	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Regular Board Meeting	September 27, 2022	6:30 p.m.	LEC
Committee of the Whole	October 11, 2022	6:30 p.m.	Minden- Archie Stouffer Elementary School
Regular Board Meeting	October 25, 2022	6:30 p.m.	MEC
Committee of the Whole	November 8, 2022	6:30 p.m.	Minden- Archie Stouffer Elementary School
Inaugural Meeting of the Board	November 22, 2022	6:00 p.m.	LEC
Regular Board Meeting	December 6, 2022	6:30 p.m.	MEC