Presentations

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.

Itinerant Educational Assistant, Brandy Perry, works tirelessly as an advocate of inclusion and equity for students with complex learning needs. Perry is a part of the behaviour intervention and resource team and uses evidence-based strategies and exemplary data collection methods to analyze the function behind challenging student behaviour while maintaining a personal ethos of caring, empathy with fair, yet firm, boundaries. Not only is she exceptional in her interactions with students, but her interactions with staff make them feel valued, heard, and motivated. Regardless of the request, Perry always answers enthusiastically with an “of course.” It is safe to say that staff go on a steep learning journey when Perry is assigned to support the school team and they appreciate every minute! 

Fenelon Township Public School’s Sara Bell is an exemplary secretary! The students feel so comfortable coming to ask her for anything. She has the demeanour that everyone wants to be around her because they know they will be loved, cared for, and listened to. Bell is hard working, thinks ahead and is ready to complete any task. Parents/guardians enjoy calling or visiting the school to speak with Bell – she is a welcoming presence that sets the tone for anyone coming or calling to the school. 

2021 CACE BRAVO! Awards recognition

The Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE) is a national association of professionals committed to encouraging and enhancing excellence in communications in education. The CACE BRAVO! Awards are the only Canada-wide awards specifically designed to recognize achievements in school board communications, honouring the exemplary work in all aspects of school public relations, communications, marketing, and engagement each year. For 2021, TLDSB is proud to share that we are recipients of three BRAVO! Awards. There were a number of TLDSB staff members and students who were involved in the development of the projects and programs that were recognized, and we are grateful for their dedication and commitment to excellence in supporting relevant, informative, and professional resources for our staff, students, and communities. TLDSB recently received the following BRAVO! Awards for 2021:

In the Coup de Couer category for COVID-19 Communications, TLDSB received recognition for:

• TLDSB COVID-19 Response Page developed by Communications Officer, Sinead Fegan, and E-Learning Design Technician, Bryce Huskilson. 
• TLDSB Return to School Video developed and produced by Communications Officer, Sinead Fegan, and Executive Assistant, Wendy Browne.

In the Communication Project/ Program category, TLDSB received an Award of Distinction for:

• TLDSB Climate Action Plan, developed, promoted, and enacted by former District Manager of Corporate Communications, Catherine Shedden, Curriculum Consultant, Holly Groome, and students from the past and present G7 Student Senate.

Congratulations to all involved on your receipt of a 2021 CACE BRAVO! Award for excellence in communications.

Equity, inclusion, and Indigenous education in TLDSB

Superintendent of Learning, Jennifer Johnston, presented on the tiered response to intervention and the work of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) to respond to the needs of our students. Johnston noted the commitment to putting the right supports in place in all the right areas, along with increasing the clarity of roles between the teachers, special education resource teacher, and educational assistants is of high importance. 

Johnston highlighted that there have been many development opportunities for our students and staff on the topics of Indigenious education, and this includes having knowledge keepers visit the classroom and cultural competencies training for staff.

The Menstrual Equity Campaign, championed by trustees, the G7 student senate, Facilities, Communications services, and the Menstrual Equity Task Force members led by Spruce Glen Public School principal, Kelly Picken, launched this month and has gained quite a lot of traction in our communities with a product challenge at the school level and media coverage. The menstrual equity products collected during the challenge will be donated to local organizations across the Board regions.

Johnston concluded her report looking forward to next school year and how the focus will be on using the data to make informed decisions. There are plans to focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion and belonging, Indeginious student achievement, and effective individual education plans.

Director’s update

Director of Education, Wes Hahn, commented on how thankful he is that the TLDSB learning organization is committed to continual learning and that our trustees are lead learners supporting professional development of staff. Currently taking place are many learning opportunities, extracurriculars, end-of-year trips, graduation and the Trillium Lakelands Arts Camp (TLAC). Hahn also noted that our tutoring program is up and running in our schools. 

Over the past two weeks, TLDSB hosted community breakfasts in three highschools across the Board. These breakfasts gave our community partners an opportunity to reestablish community-to-community connections and enjoy presentations from students.

Hahn noted the theme that has been developing in the reports brought to the Board has a strong focus on student achievement. As a learning organization, this is our foundation. As we move forward, that data TLDSB has will support the work and lead the change. 

Administrative reports

SEAC input into the 2022-2023 budget

Superintendent of Learning, Jennifer Johnston, shared that the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) was given the opportunity to give input on the budget for the coming year. SEAC gave the following list for areas to be considered and/or included:

• Mental health supports for students with special needs, such as down syndrome.
• Assessments.
• Transitioning supports and resources.
• Resources for sensory rooms and sensory supplies to support classroom standardization.
• Strategies and supports for special education resource teachers, educational assistants, teachers, and bus drivers.

Budget overview for 2022-2023

Superintendent of Business, Tim Ellis, spoke about the key factors and decisions that are made in budgeting for the coming school year, including estimated enrollment, which drives a lot of grants, estimated revenues, and estimated expenses.

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
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