UPPER CANADA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

With 15 years of industry experience, Anthony MacKAY – a Red Seal Certified Truck and Coach Technician and UCDSB alumnus – is set to lead the first cohort of the UCDSB’s Level 1 Commercial Vehicle and Equipment Apprenticeship Program.

Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) schools continue to give back to meaningful causes, and most recently hit a major fundraising milestone with the Terry Fox Foundation.

Principal Ewen McIntosh and Vice-Principals Laurie Hume and Crystal Parks are award recipients for their ongoing and constant leaderships efforts that exemplifies the six qualities of Service Excellence.

Recent high school graduates or adults looking to get training and further their career prospects in the trades can now earn a Trades Micro-Credential Certificate through the TR Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education.

Louise Mulder is an award recipient for living out all six qualities of Service Excellence in her role as a Special Services Counsellor.

Ryan Metcalfe is an award recipient for demonstrating all six qualities of Service Excellence in his role as a technologist at South Grenville District High School.

Tanya Cindric is an award recipient who embodies all six Service Excellence qualities in her leadership role as a technical analyst for the Upper Canada District School Board.

Eighty-four-year-old Gordon Wallbank decided that no matter how old you are, it is never too late to learn. Just last month, he earned his high school diploma.

Stephen Sliwa is an award recipient for demonstrating all six qualities of Service Excellence in his role as the Director of Education and Secretary to the Board.

Chad Brownlee – an experienced principal and human resources professional with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) – has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Human Resources and Schools for the Upper Canada District School Board. Brownlee will take over this role as of August 3. The role is currently held by Ron Ferguson, who will become the new Director of Education and Secretary of the Board for the UCDSB as of July 1.

Jennifer Wagensveld, or Mrs. W as she's affectionately called, is known within the school community as a kind and caring educator who works hard to ensure every student feels supported and special. As a kindergarten teacher at Morrisburg Public School, Jennifer ensures her students are always looked after and she prioritizes their wellbeing both within and beyond the classroom.

The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) recognized staff creativity and innovation by announcing the 2021 Trustee Innovation Award (TIA) winners this week.

In recognition of National Indigenous History Month (June) and National Indigenous Peoples Day today, classrooms across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) are celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.

Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met virtually on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, for a regularly scheduled board meeting.

Eric Barker is an award recipient for demonstrating all six qualities of Service Excellence in his role as Vice-Principal at Glengarry District High School.

Laura Panyszak is a Grade 1/Grade 2 teacher at Rockland Public School and is well respected and loved by both her students and colleagues. Laura’s passionate and nurturing approach to education ensures her students feel supported and families feel connected to their child’s learning experiences.

Two UCDSB students walked away with silver medals in the annual Skills Ontario Competition this year. Grade 9 Carleton Place High School student Conall McCooeye and Grade 12 Perth & District Collegiate Institute student Matthew Piaskoski both earned second place in the province-wide competition that was hosted remotely for the first time in the competition’s history.

To show support for Indigenous students and their families in our school district, and to reinforce our core belief that every child matters, the UCDSB lowered flags at all schools and administrative offices the district and sought advice from our Indigenous Advisory Circle to confirm ways to further honour the lives lost and those who are grieving them.

For the first time, the Upper Canada District School Board’s Secondary Virtual Program hosted a Relay for Life event using a method the student body already understands so well – through digital streaming.

To show support for Indigenous students and their families in our school district, and to reinforce our core belief that every child matters, the UCDSB lowered flags at all schools and administrative offices. The district also sought advice from our Indigenous Advisory Circle to confirm ways to further honour the lives lost and those in grieving.

Laggan Public School recently planted five maple trees on the school property as part of a new experiential learning project proposed by Kindergarten teacher Bonnie MacLeod that will take place at the school called “Sap to Syrup.” Students will witness the changes of maple trees throughout the seasons and learn about the importance of the environment, Mother Earth and maple trees in Indigenous cultures. Eventually, students will be able to tap the trees and go through the syrup process together.

Joanne O’Connor is a music teacher at South Branch Elementary School in Kemptville and her passion for music and enthusiasm for teaching music is evident in all that she does, both pedagogically and personally. Joanne teaches music in a way in which kids can thrive in the arts, and her dedication to the craft has garnered respect and admiration from her students, colleagues, parents and community.

June is widely known as Pride Month, and the Upper Canada District School Board will celebrate all month long as we remain committed to supporting our members of the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) community.

Jennifer Moore’s dedication to her staff, students, families, and the Front of Yonge Elementary School community is a testimony to her commitment to the UCDSB’s Vision, “Creating Futures, Leading and Learning for All”.

Trustees of the Upper Canada District School Board are pleased to announce that Ron Ferguson has been selected as the new Director of Education and Secretary to the Board for the Upper Canada District School Board.

Paddy Houston is a Special Services Counsellor working out of the Oxford Office and her cheerful demeanour combined with her multi-tasking powers and inspiring work ethic has made her an integral part of the UCDSB family.

With an incredibly caring drive to make Athens District High School a clean and safe place to learn, Beverley Glover, Head Custodian at Athens District High School, is well respected within her school community.

Whether it’s happy, sad, anger or surprised, The Upper Canada District School Board is exploring more ways to #GetReal in during Canadian Mental Health Week.

Carleton Place High School student Annika Culhane has won the very prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship, making her the second UCDSB student to earn the award this year and a first in CPHS history.

Monique Favreau is a tireless, caring individual who ignites student confidence, identifies and develops program opportunities and inspires her colleagues daily.

The Upper Canada District School Board remains committed to ensuring that our students who self-identify as members of the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual / 2SLGBTQIA+ community feel supported and contribute to making our schools and communities safe spaces for everyone. Brockville Collegiate Institute student Kai Flicker is committed to these outcomes.

Chloe Headland, a Grade 12 top academic student at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute (SFDCI) has been accepted to play on the Harvard University women’s rugby team in September 2021.

Affaan Ali, a dedicated Grade 12 student at St. Lawrence Secondary School (SLSS), is a top student, active in his community, and his commitment to his studies and personal endevours are getting noticed.

The Upper Canada District School Board is happy to announce that our school board will be receiving $10.2 million from the federal and provincial governments, as part of the COVID-19 Resilience stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. This funding was announced this morning.

When it comes to crafting creative architectural designs, writing business plans, and developing marketing strategies, the Grade 4/5 students at Naismith Memorial Public School in Almonte are now well-versed in all these areas.

Even in light of the ongoing pandemic, students within the Upper Canada District School Board are making significant positive gains within the classroom. UCDSB student success data shows that credit completion amongst high school students is on the upswing, even when compared to pre-pandemic numbers.

The Upper Canada District School Board recognizes the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which takes place on Sunday, March 21, 2021. This day symbolizes the recognition that every individual is born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Eliza Batchelor, a Grade 10 student at North Grenville District High School, is spreading awareness of the presence of human trafficking happening within the Leeds and Grenville area.

When it comes to the pandemic and remote learning experiences, there’s one word that’s often used – pivot. That was especially the case for Christine Sloan – an art and French teacher at South Grenville District High School (SGDHS) in Prescott.

Today, on International Women's Day, we're honouring all females within our school board, including our leaders.

When the Grade 7 students from Chimo Elementary School in Smiths Falls first decided to take on and later create a wellness challenge in January, they had no idea it would garner attention from a best-selling author and inspire the entire school board.

On Friday, February 26, the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) Student Senators met for their third quarterly meeting and elected two new Student Trustees for the 2021-2022 school year.

The UCDSB Purchasing Department demonstrated immense dedication and work ethic in order to make UCDSB schools a safer place for staff and students during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking on the monumental effort of ensuring the school district’s personal protective equipment (PPE) was in place in time to welcome back students to in-person learning.

February is Black History Month and Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) schools have taken this opportunity to focus on lessons and activities that spread awareness and educate students of black history and culture.

Roxanne Harrington is a Registered Early Childhood Educator at South Branch Elementary School who consistently goes above and beyond for her students and families.

The Upper Canada District School Board is excited to announce it has received Ministry of Education approval to move forward with the Cambridge Public School child care project.

Jennifer Douwes is a caring teacher who works hard to ensure each student feels supported. As a secondary school teacher at Perth and District Collegiate Institute, Jennifer is known for her creativity, organization and classroom management style that emphasizes structure, kindness, compassion, and confidence-building through meaningful academic tasks.

The Upper Canada District School Board is proud to share that it has received Ministry of Education approval to proceed with the Winchester Public School child care project.

Connie Boros works with students, teachers and the TR Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education in her role as the UCDSB’s Technology Enabled Learning & Teaching Contact (TeLTC). Her technical skills, determination and personal characteristics make Connie a very valuable team player.

Dominique Bertrand exemplifies leadership, dedication and maintains important connections with her school’s families in her role as principal of Cambridge Public School.

Kyle Baird is a teacher at Rockland District High School, and he has been​a supportive and encouraging colleague and teacher throughout the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Families and individuals may feel stressed about factors related to the global pandemic, including following public health guidelines, work situations, child care and their children’s remote learning experiences. As well, you may be concerned about your child’s mental health and well-being. Their new reality of staying home and learning from home is likely a shift from what they are used to.

The Grade 3 French Immersion students at Westminster Public School in Brockville have a lot to celebrate this week, beyond their holiday spirit. They received news that they placed third in their category in the CBC 2020 Music Class Challenge

Last week, we gave a snapshot of how our schools are giving back to their communities. Well, we couldn’t help but showcase more examples our school spirit and holiday giving as more schools within our board demonstrate a commitment to helping others.

Upper Canada District School Board Director of Education Stephen Sliwa has made the challenging decision to retire from his role within the school board, effective June 30, 2021.

UCDSB Director of Education Stephen Sliwa pens letter of well wishes for the holiday season.

The Upper Canada District School Board, along with its community partners, held a virtual ceremony on Dec. 11, 2021 and signing of the updated Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Protocol. This protocol is a collaborative response to assessing potential violence, aimed at reducing violence and keeping our community safe.

As staff and students get prepared for the annual break, the UCDSB school communities are ensuring their community members aren’t forgotten over the holidays. Here’s a round-up of how some of our schools are giving back to their communities this holiday season.

Leading up to the 2020-2021 school year, the UCDSB produced a video that demonstrated some of the new practices and routines that would be in place this year when children returned to school. Now, we’re connecting with students to showcase the student experiences at the secondary level in this phase of “pandemic learning”.

When kids get excited about their work, those joyful feelings are contagious. And spreading happiness and joy is the purpose behind the student-run card company that has formed at Toniata Public School.

Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) Chair John McAllister was acclaimed to the role for another year on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Board of Trustees’ annual organizational meeting. Trustee William MacPherson was acclaimed as Vice-Chair for a third consecutive year.

If you’ve ever met Dustyn Robins, consider yourself lucky. The Grade 4 student at R. Tait McKenzie Public School in Almonte is a kind and considerate student who lights up a room when he enters. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Dustyn uses an electric wheelchair, and the school has provided supports so that Dustyn can experience a positive learning environment.

Showcasing staff commitment, student learning experiences and strategic plan initiatives, the Upper Canada District School Board’s Annual Director’s Report has been released.

Erin Lee, a Kindergarten teacher at Viscount Alexander Public School, recently published a children’s book called “Maggie the Magnificent.” It features a spunky new student who magically grants wishes for each of her classmates.

As an important foundational step towards establishing the Level 1 Commercial Vehicle Apprenticeship Program, the Upper Canada District School Board signed a lease agreement with the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre today.

To help enhance school safety and encourage positive learning environments, schools across the Upper Canada District School Board are promoting Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week from November 15-21, 2020.

With a dedication for Indigenous Education and Reconciliation, Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) Principal of Indigenous Education Programs, Gail Brant-Terry, was recently honoured with the Indspire Guiding the Journey Indigenous Education Awards in Leadership.

This week, many schools across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) will be engaging in learning opportunities surrounding Treaties Recognition Week, which is celebrated annually during the first week of November.

The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is delighted by today’s announcement that the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre has received the green light to become a training facility for the Level 1 Commercial Vehicle and Equipment training though the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). The UCDSB looks forward to developing this opportunity in partnership.

When Grade 4 Thousand Islands Elementary School student Ava Deryaw found out her classmate needed a new wheelchair, she got creative. Ava’s classmate, Ducky Steacy, has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Ducky needs a new wheelchair that will better fit her growing body. A new wheelchair costs approximately $6,000, and Ava says she realized she could help her friend’s family with the equipment purchase.

Six Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) employees have been recognized for their creative thinking and practices during the 2019-2020 school year with a Trustee Innovation Award.

Inspiration was ignited at Upper Canada District School Board’s Indigenous Student Leadership Forum, even though it was presented in a different way: virtually.

Staff and students across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) are dressed in orange today, September 30, to honour the Indigenous children taken away from their families and placed in residential schools in Canada.

Centennial ’67 Public School has received a $15,000 donation from the Port of Johnstown to go towards the school’s Playground Upgrade Fundraiser.

After months of planning and preparing for its launch, the Upper Canada District School Board is thrilled to officially open registration for the Level 1 Commercial Vehicle and Equipment Apprenticeship Program.