Recently Skills Canada held its annual Skills Ontario competition at RIM Park in Waterloo. As always, AMDSB continued its long tradition of showcasing the highly motivated, skilled and engaged students, dedicated Tech-Ed educators and excellent technical facilities. Avon Maitland students have been extremely successful at this event for a number of years and the 2013 competition was no exception as local students impressed in multiple categories.

Congratulations to this years participants:

• Aesthetics - Alinsa Phetlawan (Stratford Northwestern), 5th Place
• Architectural Technology & Design - Riley Ehgoetz Martens (Stratford Northwestern), 11th Place
• Auto Service Technology - Benjamin Schneider (Stratford Northwestern), 11th Place
• Cabinetmaking - Jeremy Rock (Listowel District SS), 2nd Place
• Carpentry - Individual - Scott Kelly (Stratford Northwestern), 15th Place
• Carpentry - Team (2) - Janik Habegger &  Douglas Jackson (Stratford Northwestern), 20th Place
• Culinary Arts - Stephanie Roth (Stratford Northwestern), 5th Place
• Electronics - Heather Bowman (LDSS), 7th Place
• Hairstyling - Emily Cook (Stratford Northwestern), 21st Place
• Job Interview - Nicole Bice (Stratford Northwestern), 5th Place
• Precision Machining - Jared Fraser (Stratford Northwestern), 4th Place
• TV & Video Production Team (2) - Kenny Edwards, Aidan Gilhula (Stratford Central), 13th Place
• Welding - Travis Brears (Listowel District SS), 16th Place

Not to be forgotten is former Stratford Northwestern Husky Joel McLeod who won the Post-secondary Welding competition. Joel heads to Vancouver to compete in Skills Canada. Congratulations Joel and we wish you well!

Board Staff Awarded Provincial Honour

Two Avon Maitland staff members were honoured at the annual Ontario Council for Technology Education (OCTE) conference held in Mississauga.

Stratford Northwestern Technology Department Head Rob Collings (Teaching Excellence Award) and Avon Maitland District School Board Pathways Coordinator Jeff Piro (Certificate of Recognition) display awards received at the Ontario Council of Technical Educators Conference.

Stratford Northwestern SS Technology Department Head Rob Collings received the OCTE Excellence in Teaching Award-Secondary Level. The Ontario Council for Technology Education recognized Rob for his contributions and dedication to his students and the advancement of Technological Education in Ontario. Rob demonstrates an outstanding commitment to teaching and promoting technology through the delivery of a creative and engaging program and promotion of Technological Education at his school and across the Avon Maitland District.

Avon Maitland Pathways Coordinator Jeff Piro received a OCTE Certificate of Recognition. The Ontario Council for Technology Education recognized Jeff for his contributions and dedication to the students, teachers, and schools of the Avon Maitland District School Board and the advancement of Technological Education in Ontario. Jeff demonstrates an ongoing commitment to supporting and promoting technological education through an active involvement in curriculum development, providing professional development opportunities, support of apprenticeship and Co-op programs, sponsorship of skills competitions and as a member of provincial advisory associations.

Congratulations to Rob and Jeff on being recognized for their contributions and the Board thanks you for your commitment and dedication to Technological Education for the students of Avon Maitland and our communities.

School commences on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 and ends on Friday, June 27, 2014. Instructional classes commence on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 and end on Friday, June 27, 2014.

Secondary schools, second semester begins on January 31, 2014.

The AMDSB calendar aligns identically with the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board calendar.

Select this link to download a printable copy of the school year calendar.

Click on the image below to view full size.

The Board approved the tender from Brad Baker Heating, Plumbing and Electrical Inc. for mechanical work at Goderich District Collegiate Institute in the contract amount of $526,082.80.

Collaborative Partnership Initiatives

Secondary Program Coordinator Kim Crawford, Teacher Lee Ann Konarski from FE Madill, Susan Ellison LNRT and Teacher Tyler Schaefer from Listowel Central Public School (photo left) spoke to the Board about Collaborative Partnership Initiatives.

Election of the Board’s Delegate to Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA)

Vice-Chair Lynette Geddes was acclaimed as the Board's delegate to OPSBA and trustee Robert Hunking was acclaimed as the alternate.

FDK Viability for Extended Day Early Learning and Before & After Programs

The upcoming school year, 2013/2014, marks year 4 of a 5 year implementation for the Full Day Kindergarten program. Boards are required to ensure that on-site Extended Day Early Learning is offered to four-and five-year-olds at FDK schools, where demand exists. Administration has determined that third party providers are the best choice to offer the Extended Day Early Learning program in our elementary schools. It is also a requirement of boards to conduct the first viability check for Extended Day Early Learning and determine a base fee. The following chart details the results of this year’s Extended Day Early Learning viability checks.

Click on the Chart to view at full size

Principal and Vice Principal Placements for 2013-2014

The Principal and Vice Principal Placements for the 2013-2014 school year were announced and these placements are listed in the chart below.

Click on the Chart to view PDF version of the placements

May Strategic Plan Reflection Statement

We use the principle of sustainability when we are creating positive and inclusive learning environments, and improving student outcomes – Trustee Alyson Kent

Disposition of School Properties

The Board announced the sale of the former Turnberry Central Public School, the original Colborne Central Public School and Usborne Central Public School.

Future Board Meetings

(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
Tuesday, May 28, 2013 – 6:30 p.m. Student Advisory Committee, 7:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole, Closed Session, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 – 5:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole, Open Session, 7:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole, Closed Session, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session

Future Meetings/Events with Trustee Representation

(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
Audit Committee: Tuesday, June 4 , 2013 – 4:30 p.m.
Finance Committee: Tuesday, June 4, 2013 – 6:00 p.m.
SEAC: Wednesday, June 5, 2013 – 4:00 p.m.
Finance Committee: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 – 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
AMDSB’s Retirement Reception: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 – 5:30 p.m. at Mitchell Golf Club, Mitchell, ON
Excellence in Public Education Banquet: Thursday, June 13, 2013

Back in April the Avon Maitland Parent Involvement Committee presented its 2nd Edition of Ignite Parents. It was an evening to celebrate the pathways to success and an evening of enlightening but short presentations aimed at helping parents gain a better understanding of their student’s education.

This year's event was held before a packed house at the Listowel Golf Club. Expert presenters and experienced students joined forces to talk about all of the Pathways to Success. They focused on such topics as apprenticeships, college, university, school to work, tech and skilled trades for men and women as well as student re-engagement. These passionate presenters shared real life experience on how they are using innovative and creative ways to engage students in their learning and selecting their own Pathways to Success.

Each presentation was created using the Ignite format meaning it is only 5 minutes long and included 20 slides all timed to automatically advance after 15 seconds. This format can be a challenge, but the information was presented in an energy filled show that truly served to "Ignite Parents".

If you missed the evening or attended and want to experience it all again, here are the videos from Ignite Parents 2013.

Take Your Passion and Make it Happen: Mark Roth

Willing to be a Welder:
Students Riley McLeod, John Farrell and Joel McLeod

Eventually You Find a Hair Stylist You Like:
Cathie Riddell with student Emily Cook

If I’m “smart” enough... Scott Bannerman

The Universal Truth: Students Aidan Fullerton and Rachel Brommer

Finding My Way to Success: Student Senator Greg MacDonald

Designing Tomorrow Today: Ken Bailey

Every Path has Puddles:
Susan Young/Jo-Dee DesJardine with student Marco deBruyn

Experience Sets the Table: Nick Keller with student Curtis Schurink

The Work Experience Project: Frank Stretton with Deb Hotchkiss,
Kim Garness & Sara Cunningham

Dualing Credits: Marcel VanLeeuwen with student Matt Van Veen

Follow the Yellow Brick Road: Harriet Mathews,
Minister’s Student Advisory Committee

Parents are always hearing about the importance of being involved in their student’s learning, both at home and at school. Sometimes though, it’s not always easy to figure out how best to help them. Ignite Parents is a chance to learn more and learn how to support your son's or daughter's education. When we work together as partners in education; parents, students, teachers, our schools and communities; we all benefit. Together we share a common goal, the education of our youth. Now that’s inspiring!

Watch for details next year on Ignite Parents 3

Photo courtesy of Sheila Glazov

Story courtesy of Leigh Cassell, Digital Human Library Curator

Sheila Galzov, internationally acclaimed personality expert, professional speaker, award-winning author, educator, and Digital Human Library member, shared her program “What Colour is Your Brain?” via video conference with the staff and students at Stephen Central P.S.

As Sheila introduced Stephen Central to the complex nature of personality traits and talents, she also helped explore the ways in which we can understand the personality traits and talents of others. Her fun and fascinating Brain Colour approach taught students how to:

• Communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts quickly
• Minimize frustration and maximize cooperation
• Keep our energy up and our stress down
• Decrease hassles and increase the harmony at work, school and home

“Take A Brain Color Quiz” to discover your brain Color personality.

The theme for this year's Education Week is "Moving from Great to Excellent in Education".

The province of Ontario has much to celebrate when it comes to our education system, considered one of the best in the entire world. The same is absolutely true about education in Avon Maitland. One of the Board priorities is to maximize student outcomes. This involves a continued focus on literacy and numeracy and a more recent focus on student outcomes. The outcomes, sometimes referred to as Twenty-First Century Competencies, are Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving.

Our second priority is to create positive, inclusive learning environments. This encompasses character education, equity, safe and healthy schools and much more. One of our primary areas of focus under this priority is to help more students, feel more included, more of the time, in all of our schools. It's a big job.

Moving from great to excellent in Avon Maitland will happen. It will happen because of the tremendous dedication of our staff. Each and every day students arrive at our schools safe and ready to learn. They are treated with respect and dignity and their future looks a little bit brighter each day because of our collective work. 

At the midpoint of Education Week it is timely to express a special thank you to our support staff on Support Staff Appreciation Day. The education of children is a very complex process and we have many people who work tirelessly in support of this process.

On behalf of students, parents and communities, thank you to all staff. Our students are well served because of you.

Ted Doherty, Director of Education

Education Week is under way in Ontario, an event that the Avon Maitland District School Board says gives schools a chance to connect with their school communities.

Avon Maitland follows a theme set out each year by the Ministry of Education to highlight during the annual event. This year's theme is, "Moving From Great to Excellent In Education."

Education week kicked off Monday at Goderich Public School, where they showcased vocal and instrumental talents in a concert Monday night, while a special Open House will be held Tuesday evening for students and families transferring in September from Colborne Central and Holmesville Public Schools.

Mornington Central Public School will be doing Outdoor Ed activities with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority on Wednesday May 8. Also on Wednesday South Perth grade 7/8 students will be traveling to Stratford as part of their Speak Up Project - From Farm Gate to City Gate. They will be hosted by Paul Finklestein at the famous Screaming Avocado. Paul will be talking to them about locally produced food in their diet and they will also take part in preparing a meal.

GDCI Elemntary is having author Maureen Ulrich, through TD Canadian Book Tour, on Thursday May 9.
For more information on this event see below.

Goderich District Collegiate Institute Elementary School
Hosting a Book Week Author, Illustrator or Storyteller 2013

You are encouraged to contact your local school for events that are planned over the week, many of which are open to the general public.

This years theme aligns with the boards new Strategic Plan. The following are some videos of our Schools expressing our Strategic Plan.

The Salvation Army Mitchell and Area Food Bank ended up being the big winner when 80 students at Upper Thames Elementary School (UTES) used their Positive Behaviour Support tickets for food instead of prizes.

In the middle of March, Grade 1/2 teacher Cheryl Hopkins read the story “A Chance to Shine” to her class.

The book is about a homeless man.

“They don’t live a good life,” said Chase Dale, one of Hopkins’ students.

“We thought how could we do something? So we talked about it and talked about it,” said classmate Kale Murray.

In the end, the students decided to use their Positive Behaviour Support tickets to support the food bank.

Upper Thames students receive PBS tickets for specific instances of respectful or responsible behaviour. Students can redeem the tickets for activities and prizes.

Instead, Hopkins’ students decided to redeem their tickets for food, and brought in additional food for the food bank as well.

After making a presentation to the rest of the school, the Grade 2 classes of Heather Feltz Baxter, Sherri Inglis and Patti Webb joined in as well.

The students ended up with 2,000 tickets that they redeemed for $100 worth of food. UTES vice-principal Teresa Sargent said the school administration decided what the “food” value of the tickets would be as a way to encourage the students.

About 80 students in the four classes were on hand when Donna Gowan gratefully accepted 186 items for the food bank.

Sargent said the purpose of the PBS system is to inspire kindness and respect within the school and then branch outward into the community. She said other classes are considering similar projects and school administration is currently compiling a list of possible projects and contacts.

Hopkins said her class wants to do something for Africa next since they will be studying the country of Zimbabwe.

During Peace Tree week the students at Exeter Elementary School focused their learning on peace and diversity. They opened their minds to different holidays, celebrations & traditions that take place in their classrooms, communities and across the globe.

EES began the week by inviting two local artists to join in on the peace celebrations by sharing their universal language of music. David Chan guided the students through traditional African Drumming while Jesse Baird led the charge in creating a junk band.

Exeter Elementary's Me to We Team sold popcorn to raise money for the schools peace display. Students from the manufacturing class at South Huron District High School built the peace tree, while the art class created a mural to be placed behind it.

At the end of the week the Me to We group led an assembly for the school, with special guest Michele Sands. Michele owns and operates the Kids CARE program in London. She facilitated discussions with the students about peace and diversity. After the assembly students worked in pairs to create a peace pledge which is now displayed throughout the school as a reminder to the changes that each student will make to better their school, community and world.

As part of the Good News segment of the Board meeting, trustees saluted the Always Learning Award Recipients and recognition of the years of Service. The celebration was held on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the Seaforth Legion.

The Always Learning Awards continue to build on the legacy of the Key Contribution Awards of previous years recognizing outstanding contributions to the Avon Maitland District School Board and its schools. The awards were initiated by trustees 6 years ago as a way of acknowledging members of the whole school community: staff, students, parents, volunteers and community members to honour those who make an outstanding contribution towards the achievement the Board’s Strategic Plan. The Board also honoured staff for their dedicated years of service as a way of showing how much the Board values the long term commitment and contribution of our staff.

Select this link for the complete story and videos of the awards winners.

Approval of Revisions to Board Policy #9 - Board Governance Bylaws

The Avon Maitland District School Board approves the revisions to Policy #9 Board Governance Bylaws.