Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met on Wednesday, April 8, for their regular Board of Trustees meeting. Trustees and senior staff joined the meeting by teleconference to ensure social distancing, however full audio was broadcasted live.
Board Response to COVID-19:
Staff updated trustees on the UCDSB’s evolving response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. The overall response has included: the extension of school closures at the direction of the province until May 4; implementation of the second phase of the Learn at Home strategy to support the continuation of K-12 education through teacher-led distance learning by grade groupings; developing plans to support student and staff access to technology; and constant, clear communication with staff, students and the general public. Staff also updated trustees on the efforts to divert food from UCDSB school nutrition programs to area food banks; and host four emergency child care centres at our schools to serve essential service workers.
Director of Education’s Work Plan Status Update:
Staff updated Trustees on progress made through the 2019-20 Director’s Work Plan. The plan outlines 13 key actions in the four priority areas of Graduation Rate, Staff Culture, Student Culture and Community. Staff reported the school board advanced in two key areas: efforts to increase graduation rate, and the implementation of a common five-period timetable at all UCDSB secondary schools in September 2020.
Out of the 13 actions in the plan, five are at the pending stage, five are at the beginning stage and three are progressing. Director Stephen Sliwa reported that progress on the plan has faced two implementation challenges resulting from limited opportunities to proceed due to the labour-related sanctions until March and more recently, the disruptions and school closure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
