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YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION FEBRUARY 25, 2010 The Board Meeting - Public Session of the York Region District School Board was held in the Board Room of the Education Centre, Aurora at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Thursday, January 28, 2010 with Chair D. Giangrande presiding and the following members present; Trustees A. DeBartolo, L. Carruthers, S. Geller, J. Hertz, P. Luchowski, N. Shan (via audio conference), and M. Van Beek Also in attendance: Student Trustees K. Amin and M. Bun Regrets: Trustee B. Crothers, N. Elgie, G. Kerr, and E. Richardson. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (*)1. Moved by J. Hertz, seconded by L. Carruthers: That the agenda be approved as written. - Carried - RISE AND REPORT – FEBRUARY 25, 2010 BOARD MEETING – PRIVATE SESSION (*)2. Moved by A. DeBartolo, seconded by P. Luchowski: 1) That the York Region District School Board approve the recommendations in the February 3, 2010 Joint Board Consortium Committee Meeting Minutes. 2) That the York Region District School Board approve the recommendations in the February 16, 2010 Chair’s Committee Meeting Minutes. 3) That the York Region District School Board approve the recommendations in the Human Resource Services staff report. 4) That the York Region District School Board receive the Suspension Reports for information. 5) That the York Region District School Board receive the Student Discipline and 20 Day Suspension Report for information. - Carried - BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 2 FEBRUARY 25, 2010 STUDENT TRUSTEE REPORT At this time, Student M. Bun made the following remarks: “Madame Chair, Mr. Director, Trustees, Staff, Ladies and Gentlemen: I have two important pieces of good news to bring to the table tonight in regard to the York Region Presidents’ Council and the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association. I often find myself mentioning York Region Presidents’ Council in my student trustee report, and this month is no different. Among usual business like planning our annual leadership conference, this February we have also had the amazing opportunity to create a partnership with the Presidents’ Council of our sister board. Olivia Suppa, the York Catholic District School Board student trustee, has become a good friend of mine since we met at an Ontario Student Trustees’ Association conference. A quick phone call put the idea in motion and soon we were excited to be joined at a meeting by the York Secondary Catholic Presidents’ Council. Along with all the spirit, energy, and dynamism of students in attendance, we were able to share ideas and establish a sense of collaboration between the two groups. In the fashion of most motivated young leaders, we came up with the idea of planning a collaborative benefit concert in order to raise funds for Haiti, featuring Glee clubs from across the two school boards. This is a project we are all looking forward to as an opportunity to mobilize the power of youth and contribute to the relief fund that will ease the impact of disaster in the region. Last weekend I was in Ottawa with 40 other student trustees from across Ontario to take part in the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association-L’Association des Eleves Conseillers et Conseilleres de l’Ontario (OSTA-AECO) Board Council Conference. This conference splits the membership into student trustees from the public and catholic boards in order to discuss and plan a specific board council initiative. As part of the English Public Board Council (EPBC), our main initiative was “public pride” to display the diversity of public school students throughout Ontario. Once narrowed down, we set a goal of expanding and encouraging Gay-Straight Alliances and positive spaces in all public high schools in Ontario. As EPBC we strive to promote inclusiveness and celebrate the unique make-up of an English public school board, celebrating our diversity and encouraging equitable treatment of all our friends and peers of all sexual orientations. This is a matter that sits close to our hearts at EPBC and we are very excited to launch a video campaign to address the issue. In addition, we also had the honour of hearing an address from Ontario’s former Lieutenant-Governor, James K. Bartleman, who spoke about his experiences with Native youth. It was an exceptionally inspirational speech, one that was seen by all of EPBC as a call to action. I was personally moved by his description of the paradoxical state of Aboriginal education and approached the English Public Board Council president, Hartford Murdoch, to propose a campaign for Native literacy to aid the students of Ontario’s indigenous communities. These are communities from whom we have so much to learn, and at the same time we must ensure that Aboriginal students are comfortable and have the opportunity to reach their full potential within the public BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 3 FEBRUARY 25, 2010 school system. Board Council members have all expressed an emphatic interest so I am confident that we will move ahead with this initiative. The two campaigns combined will create a respect and inclusivity of students regardless of their sexual orientation or their heritage. This is something I’m really proud to be a part of, and something I think our board can really benefit from. Thank you.” Chair Giangrande expressed appreciation for Maria’s participation and interest in supporting her colleagues. Director Thurston responded to Student Trustee Bun’s report, indicating that the York Region District School Board has various programs in the schools that provide support to Gay-Straight Alliance, and asked Superintendent S. List to provide a brief report. Superintendent List introduced K. Bray, a Guidance Counsellor at Emily Carr Secondary School, who is the coordinator of the Gay-Straight Alliance Advisors, as well as E. Truong, a student at Emily Carr Secondary School who was responsible for the formation of that school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. S. List stated that more than two-thirds of the Board’s secondary schools have a gay-straight alliance, and advisors encourage and support leadership opportunities that develop and promote inclusivity in the schools. ONTARIO PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS’ ASSOCIATION (OPSBA) REPORT Chair Giangrande advised that a verbal report had been provided previously to trustees. APPLAUSE Director of Education K. Thurston made the following remarks. Lincoln M. Alexander Award Recipient “Would Elizabeth Truong please come forward. Elizabeth is a recent graduate of Emily Carr Secondary School. While she was a student at Emily Carr, Elizabeth’s name was put forward as a candidate for the Lincoln M. Alexander Award. Since 1993, this award has recognized young people who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in eliminating racial discrimination. Only two awards are presented each year to full-time secondary or post-secondary students. Elizabeth was chosen to be one of this year’s recipients – congratulations Elizabeth! BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 4 FEBRUARY 25, 2010 Elizabeth founded her school’s Gay Straight Alliance to educate her peers on issues of race, gender, sexual orientation and bullying. Under her leadership, her school organized the Day of Silence, Wear Pink Day and Pride Week, to promote diversity and inclusiveness. She also promoted the heritage and culture of people in the Vaughan community during Human Rights Week and Asian Heritage Month. Elizabeth’s accomplishments demonstrate leadership in eliminating discrimination of many types among our students. She is most worthy of this recognition. Joining Elizabeth tonight is Kevin Bray, Elizabeth’s guidance counsellor who supported her during her years at Emily Carr. Westmount Entrepreneurs’ Donation Would David Coates please come forward. You may recall that last month we had a group of investment students attend “Applause!” - including a group from Westmount Collegiate Institute – who had won a stock market competition. These students were students of David Coates. Not only does David have his students use their money smarts for their own glory, he has them put their skills to use for the greater good as well. Thirty Westmount students who enrolled in David’s entrepreneurship course last semester were required to operate the school store. The store sells goods such as school clothing, school supplies and accessories. He also required his students to create a product that meets the needs of aging baby boomers, create a new product and ad campaign for a select franchise operation, as well as develop a product that meets the needs of the Millennium Babies. On the final evaluation, David challenged teams to create a business that sold an innovative product which targeted the student population at Westmount Collegiate. Over the ten weeks of this assignment, David’s class generated $1,900 in profits. These profits were combined with the profits from the students’ business ventures. Under David’s tutelage, the students donated over $48,000 to the Canadian Cancer Society. David motivates and engages his students in their studies which has benefitted the larger community. Well done David. Joining David tonight is Simon Schreiber, Principal at Westmount Collegiate Institute. BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 5 FEBRUARY 25, 2010 North Star Would George Anderson please come forward. George teaches at Baythorn Public School and he was nominated by five of his colleagues – Elaine Ricketts, Rochelle Bowmile, Sharon McCartin, Kiran Mann, and Linda Katz. Here is an excerpt from their nominations: “George is a valuable member of our staff here at Baythorn. Having taught for numerous years, George has the knowledge and experience to support his colleagues in a number of areas and he does so in a willing and patient manner. George generously donates his time, preparation periods and resources to support his colleagues whenever he sees the need. He does not wait until he is asked; he sees the need and is prepared with a solution.

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