UPPER CANADA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

Full details on presentations, reports and discussions can be found in the agenda or reviewed in the recorded broadcast.

June 17, 2021 (Brockville, ON) – Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met virtually on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, for a regularly scheduled board meeting.

2021-2022 Director’s Work Plan Presented to Trustees

Staff presented the Director’s Work Plan, which will be the working guide for staff until December 2021  and includes four areas of focus: student culture, staff culture, graduation rates and community connections. The work plan has specific goals tied to each area outlined above.

When it comes to staff and student culture, both goals focus on enhancing measures to support staff and students to feel safe, healthy and productive in their work during this period of the pandemic. The goal for next year’s graduation rate is to increase it by one percent. Lastly, when it comes to community connections, the Board will work to increase contact by connecting with community stakeholders beyond the board’s policy requirements.

Specific initiatives have been identified to bring these goals to life.  For instance, with student culture, the board will begin developing a district-wide process to inform the return of a school-based approach for extra-curricular activities.  

Spring Graduation and Leaving Ceremonies Finalized

To provide a personalized graduation experience, while still adhering to safety measures, staff outlined to trustees how schools have planned in-person portions for graduation celebrations for UCDSB Grade 12 graduating students. In addition to the already planned virtual ceremony, schools have coordinated either a drive-thru event or a home delivery of certificates and mementos from the school, offering a personalized touch for Grade 12 students. These arrangements were made with the local public health officials in early spring and after recent consultation with them, they continue to support this plan.

For Grade 6 students leaving their school or graduating Grade 8 students, plans are well underway to provide a virtual ceremony that will celebrate these students in a safe and unique way.

Trustees were given an outline of this plan with the intention and excitement to celebrate the milestones of all students, especially after working so hard this year.

UCDSB Implements Re-engagement Strategy

Over the course of the past school year, the UCDSB – like all school boards across the province – witnessed an increase in the number of families choosing to homeschool their children, largely due to the pandemic.

As a result, principals are reaching out personally to families within their schools to share practices that the UCDSB has in place to keep schools safe and are assisting with the re-registration process as needed. The UCDSB anticipates this will have a positive impact on children returning to in-person schooling in September.

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