Administrative Review Update
The Administrative Review for the Halton District School Board (HDSB) has been completed. This was undertaken to review the process the Board followed in their Program and Accommodation Review for Burlington secondary schools.
The results of the independent review were received by the Board on January 10, 2018. The procedural recommendations have been fully endorsed by the HDSB.
Board staff will work closely with the Board of Trustees to implement the recommendations, as appropriate. It was determined that these recommendations had no material effect on the deliberations of the Program and Accommodation Review Committee (PARC) or the decisions of the Board of Trustees. Further information is available in the Ministry of Education news release
here.HDSB’s Director, Stuart Miller, invites members of the community to engage in ongoing opportunities to support positive transitions for students, their families, staff and the community. The HDSB will continue to act in the best interest of all students.
Lester B. Pearson and M.M. Robinson Students and Staff Working Together
On December 6, 2017, grade 9, 10 and 11 students from Lester B. Pearson High School toured M.M. Robinson High School. The students were greeted with enthusiasm by M.M. Robinson students, including a special welcome at the main entrance from students in the Community Pathways Program. A video of this event has been posted at the Board website and is available below.
Transitions for Students with Special Education Needs
| Staff from Lester B. Pearson and M.M. Robinson have been working together to support transitions for all students. The Student Services and Student Success staff from both schools are developing transition plans for students with special education needs and/or are “at risk”.
Principal Proteau shared these plans, co-developed by both schools, at the December 5, 2017 Special Education Advisory Committee meeting. To view this information, please watch the
recording of the meeting.
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Lester B. Pearson and M.M. Robinson Integration Committee and Subcommittee Updates
The Integration Committee has held three meetings (October, November and January). Subcommittees have been formed for Artifacts and Memorabilia, Student Voice and Celebrations. Meeting agendas and records of action for the Integration Committee meetings are located
here. The Integration Committee Meeting #3 - Record of Action provides updates for subcommittee work to date.
Save the date! The Celebrations subcommittee is planning a Friday/Saturday event June 1 and 2, 2018. More information will shared, when available.
Both School Names Honoured in Lester B. Pearson and M.M. Robinson Consolidation
At the January 18 2018 Integration Committee meeting, it was shared that both school names (i.e., Lester B. Pearson and M.M. Robinson) will be honoured and preserved in the upcoming consolidation of the two schools. Both Lester B. Pearson and M.M. Robinson have made significant contributions locally, nationally and internationally.
Melville Marks Robinson founded the British Empire Games, now known as the Commonwealth Games, an opportunity to embrace diversity through sport. He was also a fruit farmer in the Burlington area, founding the Ontario Food Council and co-founding the Ontario Food Terminal.
Lester Bowles Pearson was the 14th Prime Minister of Canada. He is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his role in organizing the United Nations Emergency Force to resolve the Suez Canal Crisis. Additionally, he oversaw the introduction of the Canada Pension Plan, a national system of universal Medicare, the Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism and the Maple Leaf Flag.
M.M. Robinson High School will remain as such. Lester B. Pearson will be honoured in the school consolidation process through meaningful naming at M.M. Robinson. The theatre, a prominent landmark inside M.M. Robinson High School, will be renamed the “Lester B. Pearson Theatre”. Additionally, memorabilia from Lester B. Pearson will be displayed and honoured in a respectful way.
Many schools in the Halton District School Board are named to honour the civic contributions of particular individuals. The honouring of both school names in this way acknowledges the many contributions of these amazing Canadians.
Aldershot Focus Exploration Committee
| The 15 themes generated from the “Suggestion Box” were shared with the public via an Open House, hosted at Aldershot High School on Nov. 13, 2017. A copy of the Open House brochure is here. Attendees and those unable to attend were able to provide further input about the themes via an “Add Your Thoughts” survey.
Additionally, the Board’s Research Department conducted student focus groups across the system to gather student voice as part of the exploration engagement process. The Student Focus Group Report is available here.
The Exploration Committee meeting Records of Action are available at www.hdsb.ca (search: Exploration).
A recommendation for a concept will be brought to the Board of Trustees on February 21, 2018.
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Communication Strategy
As part of the PAR Implementation Communication Strategy, the HDSB is committed to providing updates and opportunities. To review previous communication, please see below:
Board Meeting Presentation #1 - Video of this presentation is
available here.
Board Meeting Presentation #2 - Video of this presentation is
available here.
Board Meeting Presentation #3 - Video of this presentation is
available here.
Additionally, the Special Education Advisory Committee has included opportunities for updates and input as part of their monthly meetings. Updates and opportunities for input at these meetings are available by video:
SEAC Update #1 (Sept. 2017) and
SEAC Update #2 (Dec. 2017).
Upcoming Communication
March 9, 2018 Board Meeting Presentation
May 2, 2018 Board Meeting Presentation
PAR Update #4 - March, 2018
PAR Update #5 - May, 2018
Ongoing Communication
Please continue to visit implementation updates, meeting agendas/records of action and Frequently Asked Questions sections by specific school community
here.