Updated September 2011
Terms of Reference for the Building 2020 (Team Discovery) Transition Teams
Effective September 2012, Almonte District High School, Athens District High School, Carleton Place High School, Brockville Collegiate Institute, North Grenville District High School, Rockland District High School and Thousand Islands Secondary School will become grades 7-12 schools. St Lawrence Secondary School will expand to grades 7-12, and Kinsmen students and programs will be transferred to Central Public School and Cornwall Collegiate Vocational School effective September 2012. These changes follow decisions that were reached by the Board of trustees through the 2007-08 Boundary 2020 Review and the 2009-10 Cornwall Community Schools Review.
Transition teams have been organized to provide opportunities for students, parents and school staff to dialogue and prepare for September 2012 and beyond. As advisory bodies, the transition teams will play a critical role in helping our schools to create welcoming environments that will meet the needs of all students, including our adolescent learners.
Interdependent problem solving, critical thinking, questioning, and appreciation of evidence are some of the skills necessary for the 21st century learner that can be promoted through grade 7-12 schools. These "new" schools will need to recognize that adolescent learners are not
big grade 6’s or little grade 9’s, but students with specific needs that can thrive in grade 7-12 structures.
The young adolescent learner requires a distinct type of schooling worthy of their own ideas, philosophies, and strategies. Overall school design must, above all else, be based upon student needs, understanding that this may require alternatives to traditional practices. All school staff must apply a commonly shared and real understanding of the young adolescent learner. This is an understanding that should frame and focus the discussions of the transition teams
The transition team meetings will follow the meeting virtues of the Upper Canada District School Board to:
1. show up – physically, intellectually and emotionally
2. listen to understand
3. speak to be understood
4. act honestly and responsibly
5. act collaboratively
6. act inclusively, and
7. act kindly, considerately and courageously.
Transition teams are encouraged to think of their role in relation to the four points of a compass:
E
, what are you excited about?
W
, what do you find worrisome?
N
, what do we need to know to assist in our discussions?
S
, what are our next steps?
Better learning will ultimately come from providing opportunities for our students to co-construct their own learning in safe environments where they can feel free to explore and grow.