News Clippings June 11-18, 2013

Produced by the Communications & Community Relations Department

National survey of post-secondary students in Canada shows stress and anxiety are major ... Page 1 of 3

News / GTA National survey of post-secondary students in Canada shows stress and anxiety are major factors in mental health Ninety per cent of students surveyed said they were overwhelmed by the demands of their academic careers.

YVONNE BERG / FOR THE TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO Students relax on leather couches in front of a big-screen television at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Durham College's Student Centre in Oshawa. A new study has found that today's students are too busy to be party animals.

By:Patty WinsaNews reporter, Published on Mon Jun 17 2013

It’s official. Canadian university students are boring.

They may think they’re all party animals, going hard on drugs and booze. But, according to the first-ever nationwide health survey of post-secondary students in Canada, a third of them say they haven’t had a drink in a month and the majority have never smoked a cigarette or marijuana.

When they are drinking, a third of them report alternating non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, eating beforehand and setting a maximum number of drinks.

They wear their seatbelts, their bike helmets, they get vaccinations and go to the dentist. A fifth have been tested for HIV. And half of them are monogamous, reporting they’ve had one sexual partner in the last year.

And it’s no wonder students aren’t the party animals they perceive themselves to be.

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They’re too busy being overwhelmed, stressed and exhausted by their academic careers, according to the study released Monday at a conference of the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services.

According to the survey, 89 per cent of students said they were overwhelmed by all they had to do; nearly 54 per cent reported being hopeless and 64 per cent lonely sometime in the past 12 months; 86.9 per cent said they were exhausted, 56 per cent felt overwhelming anxiety and nearly 10 per cent had seriously considered suicide.

“The mental health issues are definitely compelling — the level and breadth of distress,” says Dr. Su-Ting Teo, director of student health and wellness at Ryerson. Teo is also president of the Canadian Organization of University College Health which co-ordinated the survey.

Health professionals in universities have been aware of the mental health needs of their own students, says Teo, but the survey will allow educators to look for solutions beyond their own institutions.

“We have the proof that it’s just not my institution. It’s not just Ontario,” said Teo. “It really is across the country.”

The data will be used to determine the needs of students as well as create a national benchmark.

The results were pooled from a survey or more than 30,000 students at 34 colleges and universities.

“This is an amazing data set to do research with and find out what’s happening with students because they’re really at a critical time in terms of leaning and developing things,” says Teo.

Part of the problem may have to do with students moving away from home for the first time.

“They’re learning how to manage their finances and their relationships. They’re learning a whole new academic system, which is different from high school,” she says. “And they’re just so much less supported. In high school you have a schedule. You need to show up. In university or college, if you don’t show up, nobody knows. No on is checking up on you.

“It’s a huge shift,” she says.

Students reported their academic performance was more likely to suffer due to anxiety (28.4 per cent), sleep difficulties (27.1 per cent) or stress (38.6 per cent), instead of factors such as alcohol use (4.9 per cent) or a difficult relationship (12.9 per cent).

The survey also showed that students had a warped sense of just how much their peers were partying.

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Students thought 80 per cent had used marijuana in the last month compared to the 16 per cent that actually did. They believed about 80 per cent had at least one cigarette in that time period, a figure that was actually 11.6 per cent. And they thought 95 per cent of their peers had at least one drink in the last 30 days when just over 70 per cent did.

Teo says those results will help demystify what people believe are the health behaviours of students as well as allow other students to resist peer pressure.

Teo, a physician, says she has seen a growth in mental health issues among students since she began working at Ryerson in 2000.

Other factors at play could be the increased cost of tuition over the past 20 years, the competition for jobs and the lack of security that students will face in the workplace. Today, there’s also more of an expectation that people need to get a post-secondary education to succeed, says Teo.

The survey has been done by schools in the U.S. and Canada before but this is the first time the data has been pooled nationwide here. Students in the 34 largest colleges and universities were surveyed between January and April this year.

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Life / Parent Should you put off kindergarten for your child? An increasing number of parents are opting to ‘redshirt’ kids born late in the year.

RICHARD LAUTENS / TORONTO STAR Dianne Horn kept her son, Cameron 5, at home for an extra year before he went to kindergarden. He's now finishing his first year in juniour kindergarten and there are no regrets, she said.

By:Jessica McDiarmidNews reporter, Published on Mon Jun 17 2013

Dianne Horn was shocked when the school her son was to attend mentioned the possibility of putting him into a class for kids born a year later.

Cameron had stayed in preschool instead of going to junior kindergarten in 2011, the year he turned 4. As a Dec. 30 baby, his parents felt he was too young — about 3 years and 8 months old at the start of that school year. And his preschool offered junior kindergarten curriculum, but with more adult supervision and fewer kids.

The following spring, the private Leaside school Cameron would attend suggested starting him in junior kindergarten, rather than senior as his family had planned.

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“We were completely blindsided by it,” said Horn. “Then I started reading about it and researching it. I just had to open my mind to it and it started to all make a lot of sense.”

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She also talked to her mother, who shares Cameron’s Dec. 30 birthday, about what it’s like to always be the youngest in the class.

“He was always going to be the last one,” said Horn.

Often referred to as “redshirting,” — a term borrowed from college sports where it signifies keeping an athlete out of varsity competition for a year to better develop skills — an increasing number of parents are opting to delay kindergarten for kids born late in the year.

Many experts attribute the increasing popularity and discussion of redshirting to Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers, particularly the opening chapter where Gladwell discusses the fact that a huge proportion of pro hockey and soccer players are born in the first three months of the year.

Estimates of how many children are redshirted vary widely. Researchers in the United States, where redshirting is presumed to be more common, have put the number at anywhere between 4 and nearly 20 per cent.

In Ontario, children are eligible for junior kindergarten the year they turn 4, though they aren’t required by law to attend. They are required to be in Grade 1 the year they turn six, unless special arrangements are made with their school to hold off.

Statistics for how many families hold their kids back an extra year in Ontario aren’t available, but Patrick Keyes, superintendent of student success for the Toronto Catholic District School Board, said it’s still relatively rare. If parents request it, educators will meet with them and determine the best course of action.

“You don’t usually wind up holding them back,” said Keyes.

John McNamara, an educational psychologist at Brock University, said studies have shown boys are more likely to be held back, as are children from wealthier families, who are more likely to have the resources to provide alternate care for an extra year.

“I think the number of families that are choosing to redshirt is increasing,” he said.

Parents may hold kids back to give their child an extra competitive edge, or because they feel their child isn’t ready, said McNamara.

There are developmental differences in children of kindergarten age who are, say, six or 10 months apart, he said. Most of that gap in ability “washes out” by Grade 3, but not all, said McNamara, who kept his own son out of school for an extra year.

His son, with a Dec. 23 birthday, had other characteristics that, combined, led them to believe he’d benefit from waiting a year.

“He didn’t have many vulnerabilities but we could tell he was sensitive … and would benefit from being an older kid in that class, and maybe not benefit from being the younger kid in the class,” said McNamara. “It was a very hard decision for us. … And I have to say, that was probably the best parenting decision that we’ve made because he’s thriving.”

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For the Horn family, assessments indicated Cameron was solidly prepared for junior kindergarten, but middle-to-below average for senior kindergarten. That clinched the decision. Now 5, he’s finishing his first year in kindergarten and there are no regrets, she said.

“His confidence has soared, it’s been a really, really great experience for him.”

Elizabeth Dhuey, a University of Toronto professor who studies the effects of relative age on school success, said research shows strongly that older students tend to do better academically and socially, are more likely to go to university and less likely to receive special education. No research, however, has suggested that holding a child back a year is beneficial, said Dhuey.

“It’s not clear whether if your kid is relatively young, it’s a good thing for them to wait out a year,” she said.

She cautioned that any decisions to hold a child back should involve education professionals and be based on the individual child.

“I feel like we’ve started to worry about this issue way too much,” said Dhuey. “Being relatively old is good . . . but the magnitude of these positive effects are pretty small compared to other things. It’s probably not the thing that parents should worry about the most.”

http://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2013/06/17/should_you_put_off_kindergarten_for_you... 6/17/2013 Handwriting skills falling to the side, but educators say that's a shame | Canada | News | Toronto Sun Page 1 of 3

Handwriting skills falling to the side, but educators say that's a shame

BY KELLY ROCHE,OTTAWA SUN FIRST POSTED: SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2013 02:00 AM EDT

(Fotolia) OTTAWA — Patti Moran used to get props for her penmanship. Often, in fact.

But now, “I write longhand so seldom that my hand seems to have ‘lost its mojo’ so to speak, and I make frequent errors, which I end up scratching out or trying to fix,” said Moran from Ottawa.

So much so, “a page of my handwriting these days looks more like a minefield than a meadow.”

She isn’t alone.

The relevance of handwriting in the digital era is dwindling.

Concern over the phasing out of handwriting prompted North Carolina Congresswoman Pat Hurley to draft the Back to Basics bill mandating cursive be taught in all elementary schools.

It passed unanimously in April.

Back in Ottawa, earning the right to use a pen in class may no longer have the same thrill as it did 20 years ago, but handwriting is still taught in elementary schools, although it isn’t mandatory under the province’s curriculum guidelines.

“It’s not that computers have replaced pencils or pens,” said the Ottawa Catholic School Board’s superintendent of student success Simone Oliver.

“It’s just that if we look at any of us in our work ... so many of us are using computers, and those types of skills, definitely, are part of what is included but we still do have handwriting in schools as well.”

In public schools, while different forms of communication “are necessary and encouraged, there isn’t a specific mandatory allotment for say, printing versus cursive writing versus you know, electronic tools of communication,” said Ottawa District School Board superintendent of curriculum Pino Buffone.

Traditionally, cursive has been taught during late primary, early junior years.

Educators have moved away from the theory “all of the evidence of learning is captured in a notebook,” said Oliver. http://www.torontosun.com/2013/06/12/handwriting-skills-falling-to-the-side-but-educators-say-thats-a-sha... 6/17/2013 Handwriting skills falling to the side, but educators say that's a shame | Canada | News | Toronto Sun Page 2 of 3 Moran, 53, is a graphic artist who primarily uses technology and said she believes we’d be losing “something important” if we give up on handwritten communication.

“For one thing, it would exclude anyone who hasn’t got the resources to purchase the devices with which to communicate digitally,” she said.

“For another, it’s just nice to get a hand-written note. It’s personal. It’s intimate. It shows the person cares.”

Buffone said educators have had “wonderful conversations with students about how cursive writing not only builds fine motor skills ... but also, it’s a great connection across generations. Writing a letter in cursive writing to a grandparent is a wonderful form of communication.”

[email protected]

Twitter: @ottawasunkroche

Legibility matters

Pharmacists aren’t the only ones paid to decipher chicken scratch.

A team of postal workers in Toronto’s undeliverable mail office are tasked with decoding cryptic handwriting each day.

“They have people there who just do that, who look to find addresses and make the process work, in terms of getting it where it’s destined to go, but sometimes we just can’t,” said Canada Post spokesman John Caines.

“If we can’t read it and the machines can’t read it, then obviously, we can’t deliver it.”

Despite employees’ best efforts, “it would be destroyed, finally,” said Caines.

“That’s the ultimate last resort.”

Penmanship is subjective, said Caines.

“I have trouble reading my own handwriting, and so there’s other people’s I can’t read at all, so some people are good at reading other people’s handwriting, some aren’t,” he said.

- Kelly Roche

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http://www.torontosun.com/2013/06/12/handwriting-skills-falling-to-the-side-but-educators-say-thats-a-sha... 6/17/2013 Toronto all-boys school program aims to break stereotypes Page 1 of 3

Your Toronto / Schools Toronto all-boys school program aims to break stereotypes At Boys’ Leadership Academy in Rexdale, students and their male teachers talk a lot about what it means to be a man.

CARLOS OSORIO / TORONTO STAR Teacher Ahmed Omar with some of his students, from left, Omed Masshoor, Waquar Ahmed, Malik Robertson and Fahie Abdi at the Boys' Leadership Academy. In his classes, Omar stresses collaboration as part of leadership.

By:Louise Brown GTA, Education Schools, Published on Sat Jun 15 2013

They get gym more often than most co-ed classes, can move around more while they work and the 48 young gentlemen in Toronto’s first all-boy public school program are even learning yoga, like some of their NBA heroes.

Their reading corner reflects a male sensibility: Race Car Drivers — Start Your Engines!, How Strong is It? A Book about Strength, and Wonders of the Spider World.

Here at the Toronto District School Board’s Boys’ Leadership Academy in Rexdale, Grade 4 to 6 boys and their male teachers talk a lot about what it means to be a man, busting the macho stereotype through posters, plays and pasta-cooking lessons.

“We all have this mental ‘man box’ full of ideas of what a man is: don’t show emotion, don’t ever cry, it’s OK to beat somebody up — but we’re learning to move away from that,” said Zhakor Young, a Grade 5 student in this program tucked on the top floor of Elms Junior Middle School near Albion Rd. and Finch Ave. W.

“When someone cries it actually shows they have emotions,” added Zhakor, 11, “and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

But what they like most is the freedom from sharp female tongues.

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“I wasn’t fond of being in a mixed class,” confessed Grade 6 student Siraj Raja. “You don’t want to say anything wrong because the girls might make fun of you, but then if you get too many answers right they might make fun of you too.”

Ditto, said Grade 5 student Abdi Mohamoud. “If you put up your hand and you’re wrong, the girls laugh and call you dumb.”

Or they’re “distracting” with their chatter, added Mohamed Adam, 11. “If there were girls here, there wouldn’t be as much collaboration on work — there’s too much gossip.”

Research suggests boys need to move around more often than girls, have shorter attention spans and want more say in how the class runs, rather than following someone else’s instructions, said Grade 4/5 teacher Ahmed Omar, who found many of the boys proved to be “kinesthetic” (physical) learners on a survey last fall. He breaks up his lessons into chunks of no more than about 15 minutes.

“If I stood at the front and talked, most of it would go right past them. I have to sit down with them and ask, ‘What do you think of this?’ They have to have the opportunity to engage with each other.”

He also stresses collaboration as part of leadership.

“Everyone can be a leader but they take a different role. I want them to understand leaders aren’t just the people who say, ‘This is how it’s going to happen.’ In real life, a good leader will encourage other people to succeed.”

They spend time talking about what it means to be male, said program chair Donald Putnam.

“Boys are very aware from a young age that they’re different, but they’re bombarded by false stereotypes; the over-sexualization of females and macho-ization of males and if they don’t discuss these with someone, there can be confusion about roles,” Putnam said. “So we ask the students, what do you accomplish by being physical? You can still be a man by walking away. You can still be a man if you like gymnastics — so does (Ultimate Fighting Championship) star George St. Pierre.”

The boys also learned they could still be a man if they like poetry, he added. They studied the lyrics of “Dear Mama” by late rapper Tupac Shakur — the song includes the line “you are appreciated” — “to show them it’s OK to express gratitude.”

Grade 6 teacher Philip Maithi co-hosted a pancake breakfast last fall and some of the boys were surprised.

“They said, ‘Oh, a man can cook?’ We said, ‘Sure, men can cook,’ but we have to model for them.”

Omar’s students wrote essays about violence against women, tackling such questions as: What is your role as a male? Why should we care? What are you doing to contribute? “We’re trying to build leaders in society,” he said.

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Maithi’s students drew posters about what it means to be a man, including “Being good to your country makes you a man.” “Having a brain makes you smart and that makes you a man.”

Mainstream media, especially music videos, bombards boys with images that don’t show glorify being smart or good in school, said Maithi. “It’s more a gangster image and we’re trying to fight that.

“There’s been a lot of work around having girls realize beauty is natural . . . We’re trying to create that same message with boys.”

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News / GTA Toronto school opens first all-gender washroom Students at west-end City View Alternative petitioned board for washroom accessible to all, including trans gender students.

By:Marco Chown OvedStaff Reporter, Published on Fri Jun 14 2013

Real equality comes from the little things: the right to sit at the front of the bus, enter a bar without an escort, or even tee-off at the golf club.

As of Friday, you can add one more little thing to that list: the right to a washroom at school.

After a months-long student-led campaign, the Toronto District School Board opened its first all- gender washroom at City View Public School on Friday.

Empowered by Toby’s Act, a piece of provincial legislation passed last year that enshrined “gender identity” and “gender expression” in Ontario’s human rights code, a group of Grade 8 students petitioned the school to have a washroom open to all genders: male, female and trans.

After a small sign-hanging ceremony, the west-end alternative school, which teaches Grade 7 and 8 curriculum through a social justice and equity lens, now has three washrooms: one for boys, one for girls and one for all genders.

The washroom was brought in at no cost after several information nights with parents.

Having a washroom accessible to everyone may seem like a small accomplishment, but it’s one students have been seeking across the GTA, and as awareness spreads around the new rights afforded by Toby’s Act, it could be the thin edge of the wedge.

“There will start to be demands for this in the workplace,” said NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo, who championed the law and was on hand for the washroom’s ribbon cutting. “Transgender people are a small minority in the grand scheme of things. But they were a silenced minority until the passage of Toby’s Act. This will give them a voice.”

It took DiNovo six years to win the amendment honouring the late music producer Toby Dancer, who led the gospel choir at Emmanuel-Howard Park United Church, where she was a minister.

Several of the students who led the push for the all-gender washroom at City View were also part of DiNovo’s congregation and knew Dancer.

Any student in the TDSB can approach a staff member to request special bathroom accommodations, according to the transgender guidelines brought in last year. But TDSB spokesman Ryan Bird said City View’s decision proactively tackled the issue.

“It takes the onus off the students to self-identify,” he said.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/06/14/toronto_school_opens_first_allgender_washr... 6/18/2013 Girls only at this leadership academy Page 1 of 3

Your Toronto / Schools Girls only at this leadership academy The Toronto District School Board's Girls' Leadership Academy is in its first year, and social justice is the focus.

CARLOS OSORIO / TORONTO STAR At the Girls Leadership Academy at Highland Heights Junior Public School, the girls created a public service announcement with the line, "We will not let boys have all the sports."

By:Kristin RushowyEducation Reporter, Published on Fri Jun 14 2013

Sure boys can be “distracting” and “disgusting,” but what the students at the Girls’ Leadership Academy really like about their program is the sense of sisterhood.

Lots of friends to talk to, play with at recess and work with in class. If another kid is giving them a hard time, an older classmate will stick up for them. Spill their drink at lunch? A friend will rush to get a paper towel to clean it up.

“At first I was scared, but it turned out everyone is really nice,” says 10-year-old Zoya Khan, a Grade 4 student who changed schools last fall to attend the academy.

“Miss Colby is really nice, and I felt really welcomed. When I went to my other school — no offence to boys, but some boys are really disgusting,” she says, noting she’s seen some bite off erasers and spit them at others.

“I felt more comfortable being with all girls . . . we take care of each other. We are like sisters in a family.”

The school , in its first year at the Toronto District School Board, is located on the second floor of Highland Heights Junior Public School near Birchmount Rd. and Finch Ave. in Scarborough.

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While boosting girls’ self-confidence and breaking stereotypes, teacher Denise Colby’s main mission is to get her 25 Grade 4, 5 and 6 girls talking about social justice and thinking about themselves as leaders and what role they can play in their community.

And, she jokes, “being a leader does not mean being a diva. Not Beyoncé.”

The girls often work in small groups, sometimes divided by grade but also mixed. They read about activists and leaders — both male and female — discuss books and also have “silent conversations,” where Colby writes a question on a big sheet of paper taped to the chalkboard, and girls walk up and write their answers as music plays in the background.

They spend a lot of time on their laptops — there’s a class set — and their math is done online, no actual textbook. They post their work on virtual portfolios. They use the video game Minecraft for science, planning and building bridges or Mayan temples — something they liked so much, they ended up doing much of it on their own time.

Next fall, the academy expands to Grade 7 and will have more than 35 students and an additional teacher.

At the start of the year, the girls talked about what beauty is, and later they created a public service announcement about being a girl that included the lines: “We will not let boys have all the sports . . . We will not dump our friends just because someone says they are not cool . . . We will not be shy when we have something to say.”

And as the year progressed, the girls have had more to say, and are more confident.

Colby encourages talking most of the time — as long as it’s about school work.

“People always ask me that — is it different having all girls? It’s not; they are kids. There is pushing and shoving. People say, ‘It must be nice and quiet.’ It’s not. But if they’re not talking, that’s not good.

“But when they start talking about Justin Bieber, I shut that down.”

As for the stereotype of girls being more compliant than boys, she responds: “If I have a bunch of compliant kids, it’s not a girls’ leadership academy.”

Colby applied for the academy because it was such a unique opportunity. “I like the social justice focus, I’ve always been interested in social justice.”

She sees herself as non-traditional and independent, a teacher who loves using technology. She arranges visits from female politicians, educators and dancers to inspire the girls.

Three sisters are in the class — 11-year-old twins Onika and Tianna Leveridge, and big sister Kiara, who is 12.

“I thought it would be weird with all girls, and being with my sisters all the time,” says Kiara. “But I ended up liking it; it teachers you leadership . . . the conversation is more on female leaders, female role models.”

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When boys are around, they try to get the girls’ attention and distract them, she adds. The academy provides a place where “no one will judge you if you say anything,” adds Kiara.

That’s not to say the class doesn’t deal with girl drama or friendship issues, but one of the most popular things each week is community circle, where they talk about what went right, and wrong, both in school and socially.

“The girls request it,” says Colby. “We have frank discussions about behaviour in class. They don’t mention names but they are pretty honest.”

All of the students have jobs within the school — from running a homework club to helping the full -day kindergarten kids at lunch — and are expected to volunteer outside the school as well.

And as they learn about leading, Colby says she also sees how it affects them personally.

“At the start of the year, one girl refused to say she liked herself. A couple of weeks ago, she was talking about how much she loves herself.”

http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/education/2013/06/14/girls_only_at_this_leadership_a... 6/18/2013 B.C. mom heartbroken after son in wheelchair left to the side in class photo Page 1 of 2

News / Canada B.C. mom heartbroken after son in wheelchair left to the side in class photo Anne Belanger was heartbroken when she discovered her son — who uses a wheelchair — had been placed off to the side in his Grade 2 class photo.

/ FAMILY PHOTO Miles Ambridge, far right, and the rest of his Grade 2 class at Herbert Spencer Elementary in New Westminster, B.C., during their class photo.

By:Andrew NguyenStaff Reporter, Published on Fri Jun 14 2013

Anne Belanger was heartbroken when she discovered her son had been placed off to the side in his Grade 2 class photo.

“I couldn’t comprehend how the photographer could look through the lens and think that this was good composition . . . this just boggled the mind,” she said.

In the photo, the class is arranged in three rows, with the teacher standing on the left.

To the far right is 7-year-old son Miles Ambridge. He’s leaning from his wheelchair, an empty space separating him from his classmates.

“Being picked on and being set aside is horrendous and this was what was happening,” said Belanger, of New Westminster, B.C.

Looking at the photo, she said questioned why nothing was done or discussed in trying to include Miles in the picture.

“The only alternative seemed to be to set him aside,” Belanger said.

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She said that being in a wheelchair comes with an additional set of challenges for Miles, who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at 13 months, a genetic disease that attacks nerve cells in the spinal cord.

Miles’ father Don Ambridge, who saw the photo first, was disgusted and appalled and demanded that Herbert Spencer Elementary School ask the company to retake the picture. A spokesman for the school could not be reached for comment Friday.

Belanger also posted the photo on the company’s Facebook page. The firm later offer to retake the photo, according to local media reports.

Belanger said discrimination is still a daily reality for people with disabilities and she wanted to shed light on the stigma surrounding it.

“This was not a malicious act, I don’t think it was done on purpose. I just don’t think there was any rational thinking behind it,” Belanger said.

Miles’ parents have opted not to show the photo to their son.

Belanger said Miles is “aware that he’s different, he’s aware that he’s in a wheelchair” and they were trying their best not to hurt his feelings.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/06/14/bc_mom_heartbroken_after_son_in_whe... 6/17/2013 Public board considers uniforms and other ways to attract students Page 1 of 1

PEEL— To stem declining enrolment, Peel’s public school board will consider school uniforms, add more specialty programs and take other steps that attract parents looking for a specific type of education or school environment for their children. Peel District School Board is coming off a tough budget process that had finance department staff dealing with a potential deficit approaching $10 million. To balance next year’s $1.5 billion budget, administrators were forced to cut spending in all central board departments, school budgets and other areas of operations as well as take about $2.7 million from reserve funds. A decline in enrolment was partially to blame for a reduction in government funding and the tight financial spot. A significant portion of Ministry of Education funding flows to Ontario school boards based on enrolment levels. Declining enrolment generally results in decreased funding. It’s much easier to balance a budget over a period of enrolment growth, Associate Director Carla Kisko told trustees as this year’s budget process got underway in earnest. Decreasing enrolment has been a trend at most of the province’s school boards for several years. But Peel board, with healthy residential development in parts of Brampton, was still seeing its overall student population increase, despite growth in older parts of the city and south Mississauga grinding to a halt. That has now changed. According to a planning and accommodation report presented this past September, enrolment fell almost one per cent from a year ago. A look at the board’s enrolment trend since 2002/2003 shows a drop off of close to five per cent and projections show no course correction in the near future. Board Chair Janet McDougald highlighted the enrolment decline during this week’s approval of the budget and identified it as an issue that requires serious attention. “We now need to look at what we need to do to turn that around,” she told board members. “And that may mean significant changes in our work, everything from more family-friendly flexible boundary policies to reviewing the use of uniforms in schools.” It’s been some 17 years since the board has had to deal with significant enrolment decline, according to McDougald, who noted Peel board competes with the neighbouring Catholic school board and private schools for students. “We will compete on all levels, and we’ve heard from our community about their desire to have uniforms,” she added. “Right, wrong, indifferent, that’s what they value— having uniforms.” McDougald confirmed the board is looking at the uniform policy or a dress code. There is already a policy and process for implementing a uniform or dress code at schools, but the guidelines may need rewriting to be more user-friendly, she suggested. If a particular school community wanted a uniform policy for their school, they would be permitted to explore that option. However, a uniform policy “cannot be mandated” in the public school system like it is in Catholic schools, said McDougald. “We have to be careful with uniforms, because we can’t mandate them, the whole idea can fall flat on its face if more kids say no than say yes,” she explained. Trustees and board administrators have consciously talked about how to improve enrolment and attract more kids. The board is beginning to focus on creating more Programs of Choice to give parents and students the kinds of programs they want and programs with a proven popularity record. “We continue to replicate (programs) and develop new ones,” McDougald said. The board has added French Immersion sites, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, Arts and Technology centres and created new course offerings like Bramalea Secondary School’s Truck and Coach program and Royal Orchard Middle School’s Actively In Motion (AIM) program, which focuses on physical fitness and wellness. There are now close to a dozen Regional Learning Choices Programs operating. Attracting students is also a factor in constructing or renovating facilities, according to McDougald. If the Peel board can provide better facilities than a neighbouring school, that may be enough for a family to choose Peel over

http://www.mississauga.com/news-story/3839841-public-board-considers-uniforms-and-ot... 6/17/2013 Robert F. Hall students win "It's your Job" video contest Page 1 of 1

It’s not too often students get $3,000 for completing a school assignment. But that’s not the case for a group of students from Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School who took home the first place prize from a national video competition. “That was actually one of the most exciting moments ever,” said Sandra Romanoff, about the announcement. In what was supposed to be a presentation of their provincial first place, the national win came as a surprise. “I was so hyped up and excited for all of us,” Ruby Rose Komisar chimed in. The announcement was made in front of a cafeteria full of their peers, who hollered cheers at their success. The group of four - Vanessa Di Maria, Christian Arcuri, Shandra Romanoff and Ruby Rose Komisar - is the first group to win the Ministry of Labour’s inaugural young worker video competition called, ‘It's Your Job.’ Their video, shot in a simple documentary style, features close up interviews with three of the group members. “We decided to do something more serious,” said Romanoff, the director, nothing that many student groups acted out situations instead. “Something that would touch people a lot more.” As the shot moves in and out of focus, the students double as actors recounting the aftermath of a workplace accident. In a montage of shots, cutting in and out, overlapping one another the three students read: “Two Canadians die each day in a workplace accident - that could be a life we have back if we just think twice.” The students thought the aftermath of a workplace accident would speak to people and would have a greater impact. “[It’s] not gory or anything,” said Vanessa Di Maria. “Something that would really touch the heart.” And it worked. The provincial and national prize comes with a $1,000 and $2,000 prize, which the students say they will spend part on an expensive dinner out together to celebrate. Each year, more than 6,200 young workers across Ontario are seriously injured enough to need time off work – that’s at least 17 Ontario youth a day, according to the Ministry of Labour. Words of advice from the students? “Just to think twice,” said Ruby Rose Komisar. “Know you limits,” added Christian Arcuri.

http://www.caledonenterprise.com/news-story/3839772-robert-f-hall-students-win-it-s-you... 6/18/2013 Teachers and province reach tentative contract deal Page 1 of 2

Your Toronto / Schools Teachers and province reach tentative contract deal

CHRIS YOUNG / THE CANADIAN PRESS Premier Kathleen Wynne's government has extended an olive branch to elementary teachers by giving them a 2 per cent raise.

By:Kristin RushowyEducation Reporter, Published on Thu Jun 13 2013

After a school year filled with labour turmoil, Ontario’s 76,000 public elementary teachers have finally reached a tentative deal with the provincial government that gives them a 2 per cent raise.

The “catch-up” was long rumoured to be the sticking point in negotiations with the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario — the last education union to settle with the province — and will bring them up to par with high school, French-language and Catholic colleagues.

A 2-per-cent penalty was imposed in 2008 after a standoff with then-education minister — and now Premier — Kathleen Wynne. In that contract, while other teachers were given a 12.55 per cent raise over four years, ETFO members received over 10 per cent.

The raise, which will be roughly $1,600 for the average teacher, comes into effect in September 2014 and the province says any loss of pay over the past five years will not be compensated.

“Since the beginning, our objective during these discussions has been clear — repair the relationship with the education sector so that we can continue to build one of the best education systems in the world. This agreement achieves that and also ensures we treat our teachers fairly and equitably, regardless of where they work,” said Education Minister Liz Sandals in a written statement.

While the union insisted all year the stalemate was not about the money — but rather the heavy- handed way in which the government of former premier Dalton McGuinty handled teacher

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negotiations, using legislation to impose a wage freeze and cut long-standing sick days — it seems money was the key to a deal.

News of the tentative deal comes at the end of a tumultuous school year for students, including day-long strikes, few field trips and a boycott of extracurricular activities. When talks began with the Wynne government, teacher unions did lift their advisories against after-school clubs and sports, however, there are schools still without any. Some have even have had a difficult time booking the traditional nighttime graduation ceremonies because teachers are refusing to participate.

Teachers have until June 23 to ratify the agreement, which also includes 11 sick days at full pay, 100 per cent pay for the eight weeks during maternity leave, and improved payouts to younger teachers who don’t qualify for payouts of unused sick days when they retire.

While the province imposed two-year deals on teachers under its controversial Bill 115 – which sparked the labour unrest all year – the recent rounds of negotiations were held to make improvements to the imposed deals and to make up for the fact that teachers' bargaining rights had been ignored.

The improvements include more sick days than originally allocated – moving from six to 11 – as well as improvements to maternity and sick leave provisions. Those benefits will be extended to all teacher unions.

The raise for the elementary teachers, however, comes at the end of the imposed contracts, and is not extended to other teacher unions.

The government says it will save $1.8 billion in total because of its contracts with all teachers’ unions, largely through eliminating their ability to bank unused sick days, a perk that still existed in some boards.

However, the Progressive Conservatives have said these deals will cost the province tens of millions of dollars.

Teachers who take fewer than six sick days will be given a day’s pay.

The deal also forces teachers to take one unpaid day off — before Christmas, on Friday Dec. 20 — but up to five if they want.

The deal also promises to “(maintain) existing levels of support staff workers, such as early childhood educators and education assistants, while ensuring boards have the ability to manage within their allocation.”

The government and ETFO have also agreed to look at workload issues, including standardized testing, which the union has long opposed.

With files from Louise Brown.

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new Catholic school board to study non- Catholic admission this fall CBC News Posted: Jun 13, 2013 6:36 AM ET Last Updated: Jun 13, 2013 6:35 AM ET 1

The Waterloo Catholic District Board will establish a task force in the fall that will closely study the idea of allowing non-Catholic students into its elementary schools.

WCDSB Chair Wayne Buchholtz told CBC News that the task force would be set up in September to study all aspects and all the implications of open access elementary schools.

"It doesn't mean that as a board we're going to be moving in that direction, but we're going to be studying and looking at what's happening right now across the province," he said.

The board was supposed to be considering the issue at a meeting in May. But in an April meeting, trustees decided to have a closed-door discussion about the issue. When contacted by CBC News at the time, trustees said they were unable to comment on the issue because it was a closed meeting.

The September task force was created "as a result of a trustee bringing forward that particular topic and asking that it be looked at," Buchholtz said Wednesday.

The news comes as trustees prepare to vote on budget cuts that staff say are required to tackle a $6.6 million deficit caused in large part by declining enrolment.

There are some school boards in Ontario, like the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board, and the Niagara Catholic District School Board, that already allow non-Catholic students into their elementary schools.

Drag this icon to your Windows taskbar for quicker access to CBC.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/story/2013/06/12/catholic-board-non-c... 6/13/2013 Liberals and teachers reach tentative agreement Page 1 of 1

QUEENS PARK— Ontario’s Liberal government has announced it has reached an agreement in principle with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO). The agreement would introduce a number of changes consistent with the agreement ratified by Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) last April, the government said. This agreement would include: • providing teachers with 11 sick days at 100 per cent pay, with an additional 120 days at 90 per cent pay; • providing 100 per cent pay for eight weeks of maternity leave, up from six; • enhancing the non-vested retirement gratuity payout similar to the agreement reached with OSSTF; • maintaining existing levels of support staff workers, such as early childhood educators and education assistants, while ensuring boards have the ability to manage within their allocation. The agreement also includes a commitment to eliminate the pay difference between English public elementary teachers and their counterparts in Catholic and French public schools, starting Sept. 1, 2014. English public elementary teachers have been compensated two per cent less than other teachers in Ontario since their 2008 labour agreement was signed. “This will ensure fairness and consistency across the education sector for all elementary teachers and support staff in Ontario at the start of their next contract,” the government said. ETFO members has until June 23, 2013 to ratify the agreement in principle. Ratification would be followed by a period of local bargaining between local unions and school boards, based on these guidelines, to conclude no later than August 29, 2013. Current contracts in Ontario’s education sector are set to expire on Aug. 31, 2014. Last fall the Liberals passed Bill 115 to impose wage freezes, pay cuts and other cost saving measures in teachers’ contracts. The legislation triggered widespread protest by the teachers’ unions. But when Premier Kathleen Wynne replaced Dalton McGuinty, the Liberals and teachers returned to the bargaining table to mend fences and rework the terms of agreements imposed under Bill 115.

http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/3837954-liberals-and-teachers-reach-tentati... 6/17/2013 Equity plan a priority in school board budget Page 1 of 1

PEEL— Despite making spending reductions to balance next year’s budget, Peel’s public school board made sure there was money dedicated to implementing fairer hiring and promotion practices. Tuesday night, Peel District School Board trustees unanimously approved a $1.5 billion operating budget for the 2013/2014 school year. Spending cuts were made in all central board departments and other areas and $2.7 million was used from reserve funds to balance accounting books. Education Director Tony Pontes referred to the process as one of the most difficult since government funding reform in 1998 and Board Chair Janet McDougald pointed out the ongoing challenges caused by massive government underfunding. However, McDougald added, the board felt compelled to make sure some initiatives are not delayed by financial constraints. One of those initiatives is the board’s systemwide strategy to achieve equity in its hiring and promotion practices and policies. It is part of what the board has said is an effort to ensure employee ranks start becoming more reflective of the diverse community schools are serving, while still placing highly qualified candidates in job openings. The plan, called the Journey Ahead: Our Action Plan for Equitable Hiring and Promotion in Peel, is designed to create a “bias -free” hiring and promotion process at all levels of the board. According to school board officials, $330,000 was included in the budget for the plan and related work. “We are significantly increasing our funding and staffing to support the Journey Ahead: Our Action Plan for Equitable Hiring and Promotion,” said McDougald. “If we believe in bias-free hiring, and we do, we have to make sure we do everything possible to transform our hiring practices, even if the funds are limited.” The board unveiled its plan last January, after a consultant’s review of hiring and promotion practices. At a cost of $68,000, the 111-page report contained 33 findings and a 14-page action plan recommending more than 80 measures the board should take to secure equity, diversity and inclusion in its hiring process. Surveys of staff revealed some employees were having difficulty with the promotion process and didn’t feel it was consistent and fair. There was also a sense among some staff that nepotism was preventing them from getting a fair opportunity to apply for work or advance through the ranks. Funds allocated for the initiative included money to hire an Acting Manager of Workplace Equity. Lead consultant on the review and report author, Tana Turner, has been hired by the board to fill that role, while a search is underway for a permanent manager. The salary range for that position is $93,947 to $111,989.

http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/3838230-equity-plan-a-priority-in-school-b... 6/17/2013 School board cuts spending to balance $1.5B budget Page 1 of 1

PEEL— The Peel District School Board has approved a $1.5-billion operating budget for the 2013/14 school year. The Board had to take about $2.7 million from reserve funds to balance the books in what education director Tony Pontes referred to as the most challenging budget since government funding reform in 1998. Trustees at a regular Board meeting last night (Tues. June 11) unanimously voted to approve the spending plan and a $179.2-million capital budget for 2013/14. The Board had a near identical budget last year and also regarded that process as one of the most difficult. School boards are required by law to balance their books. According to Board finance staff, government grant revenues fell by almost $10 million this year and there remains a level of uncertainty about the financial implications of ongoing labour discussions between the provincial government and workers in Ontario public schools. Pontes told trustees the budget will have to be revised in November to reflect the impact of provincial talks about contract details. Local school board administrators said a large part of the near $10 million shortfall it had to deal with was the result of changes to Bill 115, the Liberal government’s controversial labour legislation. Last fall, the bill imposed wage freezes, pay cuts, benefit reductions and other measures on teachers and other Ontario school board workers to save the government millions in education spending. When the name on the premier’s office door changed from Dalton McGuinty to Kathleen Wynne, the government altered some contract terms imposed under the bill. Pontes explained that when the government eased its requirements for teachers to take three unpaid days next year, it put millions of dollars in unanticipated salary costs back in the local budget. Reductions in funding for professional development for teachers and school operations also put pressure on finance staff working to balance the budget. The Peel Board also saw grant levels, based on enrolment numbers, fall with the decline in the region’s public school student population. To cover the looming deficit, the Board used reserve funds, but also made some notable spending reductions. Each central department was instructed to reduce budgets by five per cent and school budgets were reduced by two per cent. Associate director Carla Kisko told trustees there were no layoffs imposed under the tight budget constraints. However, there were 46 positions at the Board’s central office eliminated to cut costs. Those employees returned to positions at local schools, the Board said. The school operations budget was slashed $3.1 million. The budget included sizable reductions in custodial and school attendant staff. According to facilities controller Jaspal Gill, 32 custodian and 37.3 school attendant positions will be reduced largely through attrition. School superintendent budgets were cut by about $2 per pupil. These budgets can help schools pay for anything from textbooks and school equipment to guest speakers and field trips. Typically, it is utilized to assist schools that have exhausted school budgets and have limited fundraising resources. Board chair Janet McDougald reiterated a need for the government to change the formula used to determine a school board’s funding. Peel insists the formula uses outdated data that leaves today’s local students grossly underfunded. McDougald noted the Board is particularly underfunded for special education, an area where an extra $12 million must be found in the budget to meet the needs of students. “We have to continue to work with the ministry on our per pupil funding gap, specifically in special education,” said McDougald. “We are the absolute lowest-funded board in the entire province on the high-needs amount of special education... This is simply not acceptable." She noted that Peel gets 50 per cent less for high needs special education than the neighbouring board in Toronto.

http://www.mississauga.com/news-story/3835766-school-board-cuts-spending-to-balance-... 6/18/2013 Old school has a new life as St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Learning Centre Page 1 of 1

MISSISSAUGA — They could have torn down or sold the old Loyola Secondary School building on South Common Court. Instead, the Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board gave an old building an exciting new life. Last week, the old Loyola school was dedicated as the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Learning Centre. It's named for the the daughter of a Mohawk warrior who lived from 1656-80. It's also a fitting tribute, considering the building stands on land that was once owned by First Nations peoples. St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who converted to Catholicism and cared for the sick and aged, was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Meanwhile, the centre named for her brings together a variety of programs and classes that the Catholic school board used to run in strip malls across town. The centre will also house Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School, which offers alternative secondary school education to students aged 21 and younger so they can acquire their diploma. It will also house the Adult and Continuing Education Centre and offer both ESL (English as second language) instruction. The school board has also moved its Information and Communications Technology department into the centre along with its Library and Information Science department. The Catholic school board has the option of leasing space in the building to various community groups. Last week's dedication ceremony began and ended with First Nations ritual and songs. Anthony, an Ojibway elder, performed a cleansing ceremony that perfumed the meeting room with the earthy scent of burning sage and ended the evening with a song of goodwill. The singing drummers who accompanied him included a mix of First Nations people and students and teachers from First Nations classes in the Dufferin-Peel system. Catholic hymns were sung and prayers recited. Ann McGee, principal of Adult and Continuing Education, said she was very excited to learn she would be working at the school named for St. Kateri Tekakwitha. As a child growing up in Timmins, she had been inspired by the saint. "St. Kateri was disfigured by smallpox, orphaned young, shunned by her people because of her faith and died young," said McGee. "It was her perseverance and prayer that I admired." Laurie Eschli is a past chair of the Loyola School Council and campaigned hard to get the new Loyola Secondary School built — which freed up the old building for new uses. "My daughter started coming to this school in 1997 and my son just finished here in June of last year," said Eschli. "Now I bring my son here to Applewood Learning Centre. I've been part of this building for a long time, and I'll continue to be part of it."

http://www.mississauga.com/community-story/3835533-old-school-has-a-new-life-as-st-k... 6/18/2013 New school program will focus on fitness and wellness Page 1 of 1

BRAMPTON— Brampton’s Royal Orchard Middle School will be the first public school in the region to establish a program focused on helping students seek physical fitness and wellness as well as academic success. Peel District School Board approved implementation of the Actively In Motion (AIM) program for September 2014. Public middle school students from across Peel will have access to the regional program, but enrolment will be limited. The program will deliver regular Ontario curriculum, but also focus on increasing student interests, skill development and active involvement in athletics, fitness, wellness, leadership development, motivation and engagement in the learning process, school administrators explained. As well as daily physical education and fitness, the program includes key features like character development and healthy eating and wellness education. The school has a large gym, fitness room and classrooms that are used for a variety of physical activities as well as a soccer field, access to a baseball diamond and large playing field behind the school. Students in the program would also be required to take a babysitting course, first aid and CPR training as part of classes. In the program’s first year, 52 Grade 6 students will be accepted into the program. The school will try to maintain two classes of 26 students in each Grade once the program is fully phased in at the school. The Williams Parkway and McLaughlin Road area school, which is projected to have an enrolment near 650, will still largely be composed of students taking the regular middle school program. The board is also opening an International Baccalaureate (IB) program at another Brampton high school in September 2014. Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School will be home to the popular program already available at Brampton’s Turner Fenton Secondary School and W.G. Davis Senior Public School. The program is available in Mississauga at Glenforest Secondary School. The IB program is a demanding pre-university course of study designed for highly motivated students. Course material challenges students beyond traditional curriculum and educational experiences. Brathwaite will start the program in Grade 9. An Arts and Technology program was approved for Mississauga’s Morning Star Middle School. It will begin in Grade 6 and help students develop deeper artistic knowledge and skill, while exploring technology learning opportunities. Students can participate in liberal arts and technology learning that may include digital photography, graphic design, animation, video production, visual art, music, robotics, technology, math and science. More information about the programs, including locations, descriptions, and information night dates and times can be found at www.peelschools.org/parents/programs (http://www.peelschools.org/parents/programs/regional/Pages/default.aspx).

http://www.mississauga.com/news-story/3835865-new-school-program-will-focus-on-fitne... 6/13/2013 School board chair pleads for cash as budget passes Page 1 of 1

MISSISSAUGA — Veteran school trustee and long-time Peel District School Board Chair Janet McDougald pleaded for more funding for special education last night as the board passed a $1.55 billion operating budget that includes numerous service cuts. “We are the absolute lowest-funded board in the entire province on the high needs amount of special education," the trustee for Wards 1 and 7 told her fellow trustees. "In case you didn’t get that, let me repeat — lowest … in … the … province," she said, pausing between words for dramatic effect. The frustrated board chair complained that Peel gets 50 per cent less for high needs special education than the neighbouring board in Toronto. "That is not acceptable," she said. "It was not acceptable when we first realized it several years ago. It was not acceptable when the province promised year after year to review what they also see as a flawed (funding) formula. And it is certainly not acceptable this year when they have again quietly announced that they will not review the formula." The local public board lost almost $10 million in provincial funds this year. McDougald said "significant cuts to central departments" have been made as a result, including having 46 teachers, who were in support roles at the central board offices in Mississauga, return to classrooms to teach. Although school operations have been cut, the chair said the board has not tampered with two major policy initiatives, one of which calls for more partnerships with parents (called 21st century learning) and another which aims to further diversify Peel's teaching force (equitable hiring and promotion). McDougald also announced that — after her recent public complaint that the new Education Minister was ignoring Peel's needs by refusing to meet with the board — Liz Sandals met with local officials last Thursday. Sandals didn't promise more money, McDougald said, but "she did demonstrate a clear understanding of the issue, and a genuine appreciation for the situation we find ourselves in. Now, what we need, what the students of Peel deserve, is action." Sandals asked the board to submit its suggestions on what a fairer provincial funding model would look like. "We will submit our proposal as soon as possible," McDougald said.

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MISSISSAUGA — When people join the Bishop Scalabrini team, they stay around for a while. Theresa Mayo has been teaching Grade 2 at the elementary school for the past 25 years, since the doors first opened on June 5, 1988. She says the school's welcoming and supportive environment is more than enough reason to stay on there. "It's a testament to why I haven't transferred or gone to another school," Mayo said, before the school's 25th anniversary celebration last night (Tuesday, June 11). Some 400 people gathered at the Cristo Rei Parish on Confederation Pkwy. for an anniversary mass, followed by a reception at the school that's located beside the church on Central Pwky. "It's a milestone event … a wonderful opportunity for the community to get together and celebrate Catholic education," said principal Joanne Golla. Mayo marvels at how the surrounding community has grown over the years. "The neighbourhood was growing when we first came," she said. "They were doing a lot of building all around (and) there were only 200 people registered at the school." Smiling, she added: "There was actually a field on Burnhamthorpe Rd." Today, some 550 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 attend the school. Vice-principal Peter Krolewski recently joined the Bishop Scalabrini team. Prior to taking on his position, he has heard of the school's good reputation. "It's like leaving home and coming to a second home," said Mayo. "It's really a positive atmosphere."

http://www.mississauga.com/community-story/3835515-bishop-scalabrini-family-hosts-25... 6/12/2013 Erin Mills student receives TD scholarship Page 1 of 1

MISSISSAUGA — Mississauga's Jessica Peters is among 20 students from across Canada to receive the prestigious TD Scholarship for Community Leadership. Peters, 18, attends St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School. She says that during her first year of high school she noticed there was a lack of clubs devoted to helping the community. Intrigued by the Ecuadorian term "Minga," which refers to community members assisting one another in their time of need, Peters proposed the idea of a Minga club to her school principal. With the approval and support of her school, the Minga Club was established in Peters' second year of high school. Consisting of 50 members, the group lives by the motto "Helping others just because" and has successfully done so by raising $5,000 for healthcare in Ecuador last year. This year's plans consist of raising yet another $5,000 to go toward providing clean drinking water in Kenya. The club also hosts car washes and food drives. The TD scholarships are awarded each year to 20 students in their last year of high school who have demonstrated leadership in improving their community. Applying for the scholarship in December, Peters admits she never thought she would win. But when she learned in March that she had made the top 80 finalists, she was overwhelmed with excitement. The excitement was that much greater when she was told she was one of the recipients of the scholarship. It includes up to $10,000 each year for post-secondary tuition, $7,500 each year for living expenses and summer employment during all years of post-secondary studies. Peters plans to attend Queen's University in the fall. "Winning the scholarship will lead to so many great opportunities, including going to my dream school," she said. -30 -

http://www.mississauga.com/community-story/3836227-erin-mills-student-receives-td-sch... 6/13/2013 Local track athletes earn gold at OFSAA Page 1 of 1

BRAMPTON- Record-setting performances by runners from David Suzuki and St. Roch highlighted the efforts of Brampton athletes at the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association (OFSAA) track and field championship which concluded in Oshawa on Saturday. David Suzuki, a school which is just two years old, won gold in the junior women’s 4 x 100 metres relay. The Grizzlies crossed the finish line in 48.34 seconds, shattering the old mark of 48.49 set in 2010 by Brampton’s St. Edmund Campion. Their time also surpassed the senior women’s winning time, which was 48.81. The Grizzlies team included Antoinette Sebastian, Natassha McDonald, Cheyenne Wilson, Shanelle Hunnighan and Xanobia Bell- Stephenson. Suzuki also finished first in the junior women’s team standings with 36 points. Kyra Constantine from St. Roch had an outstanding individual meet as she won three golds in the midget women’s division. That included a run of 54.63 seconds in the 400m, breaking the previous OFSAA record of 55.95. Her 400m time also would have won the senior women’s 400m which was won in 55.69 and the junior race won in 55.12. Constantine also captured gold in the 100m with a time of 12.21 and the 200m in 25.11. The 100m final also included Jermeka Castello from St. Marguerite d’Youville who finished seventh in 12.62. Constantine’s showing led St. Roch to a second-place finish in the midget women’s team standings with 30 points. Brampton’s Castlebrooke, a school which opened last fall, claimed its first OFSAA medals as Jay Mistry, a Grade 10 student, who runs with prosthetics, was second in the ambulatory 100m in 15.33 and also second in the 800m in 3:47.26. Castlebrooke also took the male ambulatory team title. Suzuki’s McDonald brought home three individual medals. She was second in the junior women’s 200m (25.44) and 400m (56.46) and third in the 300m hurdles (44.84). Also on the track Jared Kerr from Campion took a silver in the senior men’s 400m in 53.78. Kerr also finished fourth in the senior triple jump while Toba Oliya of St. Augustine took eighth in the same event. A silver also went to Eddie Nicks from St. Augustine in the intellectual 100m in 12.33. Brampton athletes won a pair of silver medals in midget men’s field events. Mike Sylvester from St. Roch cleared 1.83m to finish second while Jevante Stanley, a student at St. Thomas Aquinas was second in the long jump with a leap of 6.17m. St. Roch’s Modupe Okeowo earned a bronze in the junior women’s shot put with a toss of 10.54m while Tenisha Dixon of St. Augustine finished fourth with a throw of 10.39m. Maya Stephens of St. Roch also won bronze in the senior women’s 100m, crossing the line in 11.98 seconds. D’Youville captured a bronze in the midget women’s 4 x 100m relay in 50.61 seconds. Team members were: Roberto Acquah, Thaliya Phillips, Amanda Ogunpolu, Jermeka Castello and Ariele Ramsawak. Kyliene Downey-Sparkes from Suzuki was a finalist in the junior women’s 80m hurdles, finishing fifth in 12.67 seconds. St. Augustine’s Andrew Stewart finished fifth in the junior men’s long jump, with a leap of 6.25m. In the senior women’s 4 x 100m relay Campion was fifth, followed by Notre Dame in sixth. The Campion team, with a time of 49.78 in the final, included Kyanna Sancho, Faith Brown, LeShe Wedderburn, Tahlia Arneaud, Ashley Penny and Sabrina Nerb. Notre Dame had a time of 49.87 with team members Danielle Knight, Chyna Watson-Reid, Gabrielle Mills Brooks and Tialee Trench. Suzuki’s Jesse Hamblett managed fifth in the midget men’s 200 in 23.71. Jacob Turk of Aquinas was sixth in the junior men’s javelin with a throw of 49.46m. Daniel Linardic from Cardinal Leger finished sixth in the senior men’s high jump, clearing 1.95m.

http://www.bramptonguardian.com/sports-story/3835677-local-track-athletes-earn-gold-at-... 6/13/2013 School board issues progress report on equity hiring effort Page 1 of 1

PEEL— A progress report puts the public school board “on track” with implementation of its plan to create fairer hiring and promotion practices. The Peel District School Board’s systemwide strategy was unveiled last January after an in-depth consultant’s review of hiring and promotion practices. It is part of what the board said are efforts to ensure employee ranks start becoming more reflective of the diverse community schools are serving, while still placing highly qualified candidates in job openings. The Journey Ahead: Our Action Plan for Equitable Hiring and Promotion in Peel is designed to create a “bias-free” hiring and promotion process at all levels of the board. Those authorized to make hires are supposed to receive training and resources to create a level playing-field for all job applicants. The 111-page consultant’s report contained 33 findings and a 14-page action plan recommending more than 80 measures the board should take to secure equity, diversity and inclusion in its hiring process. This latest progress report highlights work underway to address those findings. According to Associate Director Scott Moreash, by the end of June, all principals, vice-principals and senior staff will have completed mandatory day-long, bias-free hiring and anti-oppression training. Other steps taken to date include: • ensuring job interview questions assess the candidate’s ability to work with a diverse student population; • the use of interview teams when there is more than one job applicant; • allowing teachers to seek promotion without the signature of their principal or superintendent. “I know the expectations in the community, and in our staff, are high, but there is a reason we called this The Journey Ahead,” said Education Director Tony Pontes in a written statement. “It will take us time to get to our destination of equitable hiring and promotion. And we are not there yet, but I am proud of the progress we have made.” Board Chair Janet McDougald noted the plan has the full support of trustees and the senior administration, and funds have been allocated in the budget to implement the action plan. Lead consultant on the review and report author, Tana Turner, has been hired by the board to serve as Acting Manager of Workplace Equity, while a search is underway for a permanent manager.

http://www.mississauga.com/news-story/3834722-school-board-issues-progress-report-on-... 6/12/2013 Soccer three-peat for Campion Page 1 of 1

BRAMPTON- By FRANK JUZENAS Staff Writer The closest thing to a sure thing in high school sports continues. The St. Edmund Campion Bears have once again won the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association (OFSAA) 4A boys’ soccer championship. The Bears captured their third consecutive crown on Saturday in Toronto and made history. It is also their fourth title in five years, making Campion the first school to win four provincial crowns. They did it on the same field as their first title in 2009. Campion went undefeated over the season in capturing its fourth Region of Peel Secondary School Athletic Association (ROPSSAA) title, going 27-0-1. Over eight years the team is 200-18-15. “This title has its own special meeting,” said head coach Greg Spagnoli. “I have coached a number of these players for three years and some of them have won a provincial title in each of their senior years so that’s a pretty amazing accomplishment. This was the toughest competiton we have faced compared to the other three championships which made it all the more special.” In Saturday’s OFSAA final Campion defeated Toronto Michael Power/St. Joseph 3-1. Jamie Scott, Cyle Larin and Brandon Lazo scored the Bears goals. In the semifinal earlier in the day Campion downed Pickering 1-0 with Larin collecting the game’s only goal with 15 minutes remaining. During Friday’s quarterfinal Campion topped Waterloo Eastwood CI 4-2, falling beind 1-0, for the first time this season. They were led by Larin’s two goals. Scott and Duran Lee also scored. Play began on Thursday with Campion winning its opening game 7-1 over St. Andrew’s College. Larin, Chris Nanco and Lee each scored twice. Josh Preh had the other goal. Following that Campion defeated East York CI 3-0. Larin scored twice with Nanco also scoring. In pool play on Friday Campion topped Ajax Notre Dame Catholic School 2-1 on goals by Larin and Nicholas Pasutto. Larin, rated the No. 6 forward and No. 18 overall in North America for the class of 2013 by CollegeSoccerNews.com is heading to the University of Connecticut. Nanco, a forward/midfielder, is bound for Syracuse University where he joins another Campion graduate Alex Halis, who began classes at that school in January. All three of those players have also played for the Sigma FC an academy program based in Mississauga. Lee is going to Oregon and four other players will play at Canadian universities. The Campion girls’ made their OFSAA debut as they went 0-3 at the girls championship in Niagara Falls. The Bears earned their trip to OFSAA as ROPSSAA finalists. Campion lost its opener 5-2 to Oakville Holy Trinity. They then fell 6-3 to Pickering and 4-1 to Ottawa Glebe.

http://www.bramptonguardian.com/sports-story/3834370-soccer-three-peat-for-campion/ 6/13/2013