Boardroom Briefs is intended to provide highlights of presentations, reports and decisions made at the regular meeting of the Limestone District School Board of Trustees. The following are highlights of the September 18, 2024, Committee of the Whole Board Meeting. Board Meeting Agendas can be found on the website under Board Meetings.
All meetings begin with a Land Acknowledgement:
“The Limestone District School Board is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee. We acknowledge their enduring presence on this land, as well as the presence of Métis, Inuit, and other First Nations from across Turtle Island. We honour their cultures and celebrate their commitment to this land.”
Chair's Report
I first learned of residential schools in my early twenties in a college course in Vancouver – First Nations studies, taught partially by a survivor. One of the most meaningful lessons was that residential schools were still going in my lifetime. I was born in 1977 which means, if I have my dates right, that I was 19 when the last one closed in Canada. I learned to drive, graduated high school and went to university, and residential schools still existed; and that is a reminder of privilege and that generational wealth doesn’t always mean millionaires – it can also mean family ties and stability and believing that you will never be homeless or starving.
"I encourage everyone, including myself, to learn more about the history of residential schools and to engage in meaningful discussions about the effects of residential schools, the ongoing impact, and the legacy they have left behind." Chair Hutcheon
The Limestone District School Board has a commitment to both teaching and learning the truth and taking strides towards meaningful action that reflects reconciliation and right relations with the Indigenous community in Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox and Addington. We are committed to creating opportunities for our school community to connect and engage in important conversations about education and the profound impact it has on future generations. And may we all strive to never repeat.
As we begin a new school year, I want to highlight for our school communities that Board meetings are open to the public and may be attended in-person here at the Education Centre at 220 Portsmouth Avenue, in Kingston. For those who prefer to stay connected from home, we continue to live stream our regular monthly Board and committee meetings, and further to that, we will now be uploading recordings of these meetings to the Limestone District School Board’s YouTube channel with links on our website.
In closing, I would like to thank Trustee Lloyd and Superintendent Silver for attending the celebrations this week recognizing the partnership between Limestone’s Community Education and Lennox and Addington County, on the opening of the Personal Support Worker Living Classroom at the John M. Parrott Centre in Napanee. The program is a combination of theory, lab and clinical skills, and placement experiences in community and long-term care. The first cohort of students have already begun their classes and are thrilled to be a part of the Living Classroom program which is funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Centres for Learning.
Director's Report
Preliminary enrolment numbers are showing growth within the Limestone community with an increase in both elementary and secondary students. Today was Day 12 of the 2024-2025 school year for students, and it has been wonderful to have students back in schools and to see various activities like sports, clubs, field trips, and great learning already underway helping to support the overall Limestone student experience. We must all recognize and have great gratitude for the time and efforts of staff and community members to make all of these extracurricular activities a reality for students. Fall sports, clubs, and activities have started across the district, parent councils are kicking off their school years, and students are involved in a range of activities like the several hundred LDSB students that attended the Fall Fair last week in Kingston or the range of Terry Fox fundraising activities that will come in the next couple of weeks. Next week, I will be starting my visits to schools, and I greatly look forward to seeing, hearing, and feeling the energy and excitement of learning and fun in schools.
Trustees may have noticed the Orange Survivors’ Flag flying on the second flagpole at the Education Centre. Schools with a second flagpole are doing the same, and schools without a flagpole, the Orange flag is prominently on display in the school. Looking ahead to next 12 days, a wide range of activities will be taking place in schools and the community to honour Orange Shirt Day, and the fourth annual National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Monday, September 30. This is a critical date to recognize the harm and trauma of the Residential Schools system, to honour the survivors and their families, and continue our collective learning and journey of reconciliation. Schools continue to have a critical role in supporting this journey and ensuring the truth is known about Residential Schools and their legacy in Canada.
In the next couple of weeks, we will be kicking off the annual United Way of KFL&A campaign in Limestone. I invite all Trustees to join this effort. As an incentive to Limestone employees, I will again be contributing $1 for every staff member who provides a one-time, or regular, payroll deduction to support the campaign. No amount is too little, and every dollar matters in supporting some of the most vulnerable children, youth, and families in the communities we serve.
I would also like to bring to Trustees’ attention to the professional learning focus we continue to pursue in Limestone for the 2024-2025 school year. We must continue to hone our craft to best serve students. While this work will not be completed this year, I think it is critical to highlight its importance in ensuring schools are making a difference for all students today, and into their futures. We need all Limestone students to find purpose in school, to find value in school, and to find hope in school. We know this is not the case for all students. While we do have to track, monitor, and report on the 11 indicators in the provincial Student Achievement Plan, we must continue to centre those students who are currently underserved, and not currently finding success. As a result, our system focus this year for professional learning, continues to centre our attention on students, and continuing the work we started two years ago focused on three inquiry questions: First, for whom is the current education system not working and why? Second, how do I/we know? And third, what can I/we try to do differently to make a difference? It is only through improving outcomes at the individual student level will we see macro-level improvement on the province’s three core priorities and Student Achievement Plan, and the Limestone Strategic Plan. I should note that 2023-2024 EQAO results should become public in the next couple of weeks.
"As educators and as a system, we have a critical responsibility in supporting children and youth in the communities we serve. Our overall purpose is well placed by emphasizing our intention to make a positive difference in the lives of every student, in every classroom, in every school; and to make sure everyone sees themselves in Limestone." Director Burra
And finally, as just a few examples of the important professional learning for educators to support their critical work, we have provided learning for grade 9/10 technology teachers as we roll-out new resources supported by the Limestone Learning Foundation, and we have been facilitating learning for Intensive Support Teachers and Student Support Teachers to support our new elementary special education service delivery model. All educators want to make a difference in the lives and destinies of children and youth. Our continued journey of inquiry and our united, stated intention will focus our collective efforts. I look forward to more discussion and updates regarding our progress in the coming days, weeks, months, and years.
Facility Services Presentation
Summer 2024 Projects Update
This summer, LDSB Facility Services managed $218.3M in school condition and renewal funding, completing 273 projects, conducting capital work at 53 schools, and adding eight new portables. Below are some highlights from the presentation.
To ensure the safety of students and staff, many projects addressed building components requiring upgrades to meet current and revised codes and regulations. These codes and regulations include CSA standards for playground structures and surfacing, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (covering boilers, fuel oil, elevators, and lifts), National Fire Prevention standards, municipal by-laws, and guidelines from the Ministry of Environment and Conservation, to name a few.
Assistant Manager Downie provided details and photos of some of the larger capital projects, funded through the Building Envelope program, which involve the maintenance of systems that protect the exterior of a building. This includes all systems that keep schools weather-tight, such as roofs, windows, cladding, and doors. Almost every year, there is a selection of projects of this type. Projects may involve a single system, like roofing, or could be more complex, combining several building envelope elements into one project. One example highlighted by Downie was the Lord Strathcona P.S. Building Envelope Phase IV project.
Lord Strathcona P.S. Building Envelope Improvements | Naturalized Kindergarten Area at Lord Strathcona P.S. |
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Mechanical projects such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, communication, and safety systems form the core of Limestone's Facility Services work. Recent upgrades at Lancaster Drive, Sydenham, and Lord Strathcona Public Schools have significantly improved school climates and conditions.
Assistant Manager Downie also highlighted several major site improvement projects underway across Limestone. In preparation for a major traffic flow and roadway upgrade at Ernestown SS and Odessa P.S., Phase One was completed this summer. This phase involved moving the existing Kindergarten yard to the east side of the school, combining it with the primary junior yard, and adding naturalized play elements such as step slides, an outdoor classroom, and basketball areas. The naturalization of playgrounds includes grass play areas and some asphalted areas to ensure safe play spaces for all students, even with heavy student traffic.
Odessa P.S. Naturalized Yards | Naturalized step slides at Odessa P.S. |
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Other significant projects mentioned were millwork replacements, single-use washroom upgrades, courtyard drainage and accessibility improvements, elementary sports track at Southview P.S. and new playgrounds at J.G. Simcoe P.S. and Fairfield Elementary School, which are set to be completed in October.
In conclusion, Manager Fowler and Assistant Manager Downie emphasized that the overview presented was just a sample of the many projects completed or initiated this summer that would be of interest to Trustees. They thanked the Facility Services staff for their hard work during what was a very busy summer, expressing pride and satisfaction in the work done on behalf of students and schools.
Private Session Report
Vice Chair Bob Godkin provided the Private Session Report for September 18, 2024.
During private session at the EPOC, Special Meeting of the Board of September 4th, 2024:
• Trustee McGregor and Superintendent McWilliams gave a OPSBA labour update
• Director Burra gave a property update and a personnel update
And earlier this evening during Private Session:
• The private session minutes were approved from the Regular Board Meeting of August 21, 2024 and the Private Session of the September 4, 2024 EPOC Special Meeting of the Board.
• Director Burra gave a property and personnel update.
There was no other business conducted, or motions passed in Private Session.
The Motion was carried.
Student Trustees' Report
Student Trustee Kolosov provided the following report:
The first Interschool council meeting of the year was held on September 10th with Trustee Ayesha Bukhari and Trustee Siya Kumar as the meeting chairs. The beginning of this meeting consisted of introductions of all attendees such as us, student trustees, staff advisors: Chris Morrow, Michael Payne and Jessi DiRocco, and the student representatives of schools across the board.
"We discussed our goals as the Interschool council for the year including events that the students would like to see more effective methods of student engagement." Student Trustee Kolosov
This includes more school-wide spirit days, ‘Pep Rallies’ for spirit for school sports teams, which celebrate sports teams with assemblies with friendly competitions for the teams to participate in, and social media promotion for sports teams and school initiatives.
The topic of Menstrual equity was brought to the table, and we plan to revisit the topic and have each student report back next month on the status of available menstrual products at their schools.
As part of our Professional Development for the meeting, we had a visit from Ms. Douglas and during her time with us, she shared some insight on how to promote events and the effective use of social media. This was beneficial, as it relates to encouraging and promoting student engagement and participation for each student school council.
Regarding full representation of the secondary schools in this board, we are missing Student representatives from Granite Ridge Secondary School. It is important for these student council meetings to include as many schools as possible to have their needs and thoughts present in discussions without exclusion. In the next few weeks, I plan to reach out to GREC and pay an in-person visit at their school to meet the council there to extend an invite directly to the Interschool council meeting.
We ended the meeting by sharing a few reflection questions such as: "What is something that you would consider trying at your school?” and “Have any of these worked/not worked for your school?”, that the student representatives shared with one another and can build off of at our next meeting in October.
Reports for Information
Virtual School Update
Associate Superintendent provided an update on Virtual School, and goals for the 2024/2025 school year.
Limestone District School Board continues to offer virtual school as a choice for students and families. In doing so, we are focusing on all of the Strategic Plan Goals, which are:
1) Improving student well-being/sense of belonging, participation/engagement in class time and time focused on learning
2) Improving literacy learning and achievement for every student
3) Improving math learning and achievement for every student
4) Improving graduation rates and preparedness for future success for all groups of students
5) Improving responsiveness and service to families, staff, and community partners
LDSB has an elementary virtual school partnership for the 2024-2025 school year with Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB). In spring 2024, LDSB adjusted the delivery of secondary virtual school moving forward. The supervision of secondary virtual students would no longer come from Katarokwi Learning Centre. Instead, existing virtual school students would be transferred to their secondary home school to receive course registration and ongoing learning support from that school’s support team. In addition, the Grade 9 and 10 timetables were adjusted so that students would receive three asynchronous courses and one synchronous course per semester. Grades 11 and 12 would remain unchanged.
As was shared in the last virtual school report, students enrolled in the School to Community (SCS) program would continue to receive the same scheduling and support for the 2024/2025 school year.
As of September 11, 2024, a total of 86 students are enrolled in elementary virtual school: 47 LDSB students and 39 KPRDSB students.
The staff is comprised of 2.37 KPRDSB educators and 2.6 LDSB educators. The elementary virtual school is supervised by the Principal and Vice Principal of the Katarokwi Learning Centre and Alternative and Continuing Education. While LDSB provides the daily supervision of virtual school, staffing, student supports, and financial costs continue to be shared in a manner proportional to student enrolment.
Limestone continues to work with other public school boards in the region if students/families are interested in pursuing virtual learning options.
As a result of this data that was gathered last year, the school team is focusing on the following commitments:
• Staff participate in short math cycles to improve math pedagogy
• Staff professional learning is including a focus on equitable assessment, Visible Learning strategies, Gamification and EQAO, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a book club on The Art and Science of Teaching Reading and understanding how to lead mentally health schools
• Leading Literacy and Numeracy nights to help families with at-home learning
• Implementing Knowledgehook (an online Math program) with students and offering family information sessions
• Continuing to use universal screeners and diagnostic data to identify literacy learning gaps
• Implementing a targeted approach to address students with higher academic needs. This support is accomplished through SST meetings, small group instruction with classroom teachers and peer tutoring opportunities
• Building a positive attendance plan by building relationships with students and families
• Reinforcing the importance of daily attendance through regular communication
The report was received for information purposes.
Student & Staff Attendance
Superintendents S. Gilliam and S. McWilliams provided Trustees with an update on the current Attendance Matters Campaign for LDSB students and staff.
This initiative supports the following Strategic Plan Goals:
• Improve student well-being/sense of belonging, participation/engagement in class time, and time focused on learning
• Improve literacy and math learning and achievement for every student
• Improve responsiveness and service to families, staff, and community partners
Bill 98, or the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, was passed in the spring of 2023. One of the key priorities identified in this Act was school attendance, especially for students in Grades 1-8. LDSB schools are expected to promote, monitor, and work with families to improve attendance rates for all students, K-12, even though current reporting on the goal is targeted at Grades 1-8. Research has shown that regular school attendance is critical in supporting academic achievement and well-being, as well as social and emotional development, the establishment of routines, and being better prepared for the future, regardless of one's pathway.
There are several reasons staff may be absent, including, but not limited to, sick leave, medical/dental appointments, personal leave, bereavement, professional development and student activities. It is widely acknowledged that staff absences have a significant impact on student -achievement and well-being and therefore a focus on staff absences to raise awareness of the impact on students and staff is a goal for the 2024-2025 school year.
A student Attendance Matters campaign has been launched across Limestone, using social media, posters, and the Director’s update. Regular social media posts will continue throughout the year, with support from community partners, including Public Health. Schools will support the campaign through their regular communication channels and by placing posters throughout their school.
General Social Media Post | Kindergarten Social Media Post |
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A staff Attendance Matters campaign will launch by the middle of October to bring awareness to the number and impact of staff absences, on staff and student achievement and well-being, with a particular focus on educators. This campaign will align with the student Attendance Matters campaign.
This report was received for information purposes.
Meeting Recording
Next Board Meeting
EPOC October 2, 2024
Regular Board Meeting October 23, 2024
Boardroom Briefs is intended to provide highlights of presentations, reports and decisions made at the regular meeting of the Limestone District School Board of Trustees. Board Meeting Agendas can be found on the website under Board Meetings.