, Peel District - Sept. 12, 2017 - OPEN... · Peel District • ....., School Board September 12, 2017 TO: Janet McDougald RE: Regular Meeting of the Board - Agenda Updates REGRETS:

Peel District • School Board .........,

September 12, 2017

TO: Janet McDougald

RE: Regular Meeting of the Board - Agenda Updates

REGRETS:

REGRETS FOR LATE ARRIVAL:

ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:

6.2 Letter to the Chair from the Minister of Education in response to our letter of May 29, 2017 regarding EQAO reporting methods

7.1 Late request to delegate: Mandeep Gill regarding admission to Churchville Public School

8.1 Response to Delegation by Sukhwinder Bhaura regarding school boundaries and the enrolment cap at Walnut Grove P.S.

8.2 Response to Delegation by Gurdeep Singh Dosanjh regarding the enrolment cap at Walnut Grove P.S.

8.3 Response to delegation by Paul Fromm regarding changes to Board By~law G~3 pertaining to delegations

9.2 Recommendations of the Physical Planning & Building Committee, September 7, 2017

9.6 Appointments to the Special Education Advisory Committee

Regular Meeting of the Board September 12, 2017

Ministry of Education

Minister

Mowat Block Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1 L2

September 5, 2017

Ms. Janet McDougald Chair Peel District School Board 5650 Hurontario Street Mississauga ON L5R 1 C6

Dear Ms. McDougald,

Ministere de !'Education

Ministre

Edifice Mowat Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1 L2

SEP 1 2 7017

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Ontario

Thank you for your letter of May 29, 2017, expressing concern about the order of the reporting of results from the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) provincial testing. I am pleased to respond.

At this time, while I do appreciate the matters raised, the ministry continues to support all district school boards to report on 'all students' given that accountability for all students is part of EQAO's mandate.

The Ontario government is committed to the success and well-being of every student. We appreciate the importance of the issue you are raising regarding the reporting order of EQAO results, with respect to All Students and Participating Students.

EQAO recently announced the appointment of chief executive officer, Norah Marsh, effective August 1, 2017. A top priority for Ms. Marsh will be to lead the modernization of the agency's assessment program, to ensure that EQAO can continue to fulfil its mandate and independently generate reliable data about Ontario's public education system.

I wish to thank you for the time you have taken to write to me about this issue.

Sincerely,

Mitzie Hunter, MBA Minister

6.2

.I

rrustees

May 29, 2017

The Honourable Mitzie Hunter Minister of Education Mowat Block, Queen's Park Toronto, ON M7A 1L2

Dear Minister Hunter:

Peel District I School Board ........._,

5650 Hurontario Street Mississauga, ON, Canada L5R 1C6 I 905 890.1010 1 800.668.1146 i 905.890 6747 www.~~elsr.r :;o:s.org

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Peel District School Board, I am writing once again to follow up on your April 18, 2017 response to the Peel District School Board's concerns regarding the reporting of school-based EQAO results.

You will recall that our original concerns related to the fact that, since December 2015, the Peel board has welcomed more than 500 refugees from Syria and beyond. We noted that some of these students arrived in Canada with little or no English language skills, are traumatized by what they experienced and have never had formal schooling. Of course, given their circumstances, these students have been exempted from writing EQAO assessments until they have at least acclimatized to life in Peel. Despite these extenuating circumstances leading to exemption, school results using the A// Students method are reported as "no level" which ultimately results in scores of zero for those students exempted from the assessment. It continues to be our belief as a Board of Trustees that this is an unfair reflection of the hard work and focus on student achievement and well-being of schools throughout Peel.

In your April 18 letter, you noted that EQAO reports the results of their assessments in two ways:

"[. . .)All Students, which accounts for all students in a grade, including those exempted from the assessment, and Participating Students, which reports the results for those students who took part in the assessment [ ... }. "

Since our original September 27, 2016 letter to you, we met directly with representatives of EQAO in order to better understand the methodology used to assess students and report on the results. Of course, EQAO staff reinforced what you have stated above -that results of the assessments are reported in two ways, and that these two methods provide different and important information, both to EQAO and to our communities.

Now that we better understand the purpose of the dual reporting methods, we nonetheless continue to believe that the Participating Students method is a more accurate reflection of student performance at a particular school. Currently, while both methods of reporting are available to the public, the All Students method is more clearly highlighted when results are reported, and as a result, it is this method that is often exclusively reported by the media. The Participating Students method is embedded in reports.

. . ./2

Janet McDougald, Chair Suzanne Nurse, Vice-Chair Carrie Andrews

David Green Sue Lawton Brad MacDonald Kathy McDonald Harkirat Singh Rick Williams

Director of Education and Secretary Tony Pontes

Associate Dir~ctor. Instructional Support Ser·;ices Scott Moreash

Associate Oir~ctor. Operational Suppor' S~r ·, ices

Jaspal Gill

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It is our suggestion that the order of these methods be reversed in all EQAO reports and News Releases. If, in fact, EQAO continues to value the data and information contained in both methods, surely we can agree that this reversal of the order of the methods would fulfill this requirement while, at the same time, better serving our students, our communities and the educators who work so diligently to ensure students achievement and well-being throughout the Peel District School Board and across the Province of Ontario.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Janet McDougald Chair

c. OPSBA Ontario School Board Chairs Peel MPPs

Encl. - Copy of the September 27, 2016 letter

Peel District School Board 8.1 Regular Meeting of the Board September 12, 2017

Response to Delegation regarding changes to school boundaries and the enrolment cap at Walnut Grove P.S.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the response be received.

Background:

At the Regular Meeting of the Board held on August 29, 2017 Sukhwinder Bhaura delegated the Board regarding school boundaries and the enrolment cap at Walnut Grove Public School.

Submitted by:


September 6, 2017 Peel District

• School Board ........_, 5650 Hurontario Street Mississauga, ON, Canada L5R 1C6 t 905.890.1010 1.800.668.1146

Sukhwinder Bhaura

Dear Sukhwinder Bhaura:

f 905.890.67 47 www.peelschools.org

Thank you for delegating the Board on Tuesday, August 29, 2017. You had requested the Walnut Grove P.S. enrolment cap for new student registrations be removed.

We are responding to your questions and points as they are ordered in your written presentation.

1. "Based on our research of properties leased and sold in the area, there are 55 properties which were sold and leased from January 1, 2017 to present. That means if those households had children, they have moved out of the area, that creates availability for new admissions".

Response

Board staff have reviewed your list of 43 homes sold and 12 homes leased (total 55 residences). Staff have confirmed 30 Kindergarten to Grade 8 students reside in these homes of which half still remain at Walnut Grove P.S. (effective September 6, 2017). The small reduced number of students does not justify the removal or adjustment of the current Walnut Grove P.S. enrolment cap.

2. "As per Principal and school boundary map, the Castlemore P. S. overflow gets admission in Walnut Grove P. S. and Walnut Grove overflow goes into Castlemore P. S. which does not make sense, meaning the transit being provided from both sides is an extra expense and a wastage of the taxpayers money".

Response

There are no new students from Castlemore Public School attending Walnut Grove Public School. There are some existing French Immersion program students who remain at Walnut Grove Public School.

Walnut Grove P.S. experienced higher than expected enrolment growth early in the 2016/17 school year. Enrolment projections indicated that in the 2017/18 school year, enrolment would exceed the school's permanent capacity (861 students) as well as the school's ability to accommodate portables (12 portables). A Regular and French Immersion Program cap and redirection of new Regular Program students to Castlemore P.S. (K- Grade 8) and new French Immersion students to Castle Oaks P.S. (Grades 1 -5) and Earnscliffe Sr. P.S. (Grades 6- 8) was necessary to provide students with safe and adequate accommodation.

. .. /2

Trustees Janet McDougald, Chair Suzanne Nurse, Vice-Chair Carrie Andrews


Director of Education and Secretary Peter Joshua

Associate Director, School Support Services Wendy Dowling

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Associate Director, Instructional and Equity Support Services Scott Moreash

Associate Director, Operational Support Services Jaspal Gill

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Program students exceeding the Walnut Grove P.S. enrolment cap to Castlemore P.S. which is the nearest adjacent school and approximately 2.2 km from Walnut Grove. P.S. Although this is not an ideal situation, it is the closest school and the Board has sent letters to families, installed a sign at the school and required subdivision signs that advise not all students can be accommodated at their home school and may have to be bused to other schools.

In closing, we have also noted your complaint that the Trustee failed to return several of your telephone calls intended to discuss the enrolment cap. It is our understanding that the necessity of the enrolment cap was discussed with you by the Trustee as well as the area Superintendent in advance of your delegation at the Regular Meeting of the Board Tuesday, August 291h.

The Walnut Grove P.S. enrolment cap remains necessary because it improves student accommodation and aligns with Board and Ministry class size requirements.

Once again, thank you for your delegation.

Sincerely,


c: P. Daws, Superintendent of Education P. Lone, Principal, Walnut Grove P.S. M. Moorcroft, Principal, Castlemore P.S.


Response to Delegation regarding the enrolment cap at Walnut Grove Public School

Recommendation:


Background:

At the Regular Meeting of the Board held on August 29, 2017 Gurdeep Singh Dosanjh delegated the Board regarding the enrolment cap at Walnut Grove Public School.

Submitted by:


September 12, 2017

Gurdeep Singh Dosanjh

Dear Gurdeep Dosanjh:

Peel District • School Board ......_.,

5650 Hurontario Street Mississauga, ON, Canada L5R 1C6 t 905.890.1010 1.800.668.1146 f 905.890.67 47 www.peelschools.org

Thank you for your delegation at the Regular Meeting of the Board Tuesday, August 29, 2017. You had asked several questions related to the Board's administration of the enrolment cap at Walnut Grove. P.S. We understand your primary request to be your wish to register your son as a student at Walnut Grove P.S.

We are responding to your questions in the same order as raised in your delegation notes.

1 . "Why is the cap on Walnut Grove P. S. ?"

Response

Walnut Grove P.S. experienced higher than expected enrolment growth early in the 2016/17 school year. Enrolment projections indicated that in the 2017/18 school year, enrolment would exceed the school's permanent capacity (861 students) as well as the school's ability to accommodate portables (12 portables). A Regular and French Immersion Program cap and redirection of new Regular Program students to Castlemore P .S. (K- Grade 8) and new French Immersion students to Castle Oaks P.S. (Grades 1 -5) and Earnscliffe Sr. P.S. (Grades 6- 8) was necessary to provide students with safe and adequate accommodation.

2. "Why is capacity so full?"

Response

The community was planned, sites were identified and school sizes were based on average student household yields that were characteristic of the community more than 10 years ago. Student yields have since changed and enrolment has increased beyond permanent and portable capacities therefore requiring the enrolment cap and redirection of students.

3. "Why is the boundary radius different and Walnut Grove P.S. brings 688 students by school bus?"

Response

The boundary for Walnut Grove P .S. is larger than Castle more P .S. because Walnut Grove offers both Regular Program (K- Grade 8) and French Immersion (Grades 1 - 8). A larger boundary is required to maintain a viable French Immersion Program.

. .. /2

Trustees Janet McDougald, Chair Suzanne Nurse, Vice-Chair Carrie Andrews




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Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to comply with your request that your son be registered as a student at Walnut Grove P.S. because classroom space at the school is limited and there is available classroom space at Castlemore P.S.

The Board will advise you and all other parents that may be affected by the Walnut Grove P.S. enrolment cap of any change in the status of available school space in your community.


Sincerely,


c: P. Daws, Superintendent of Education P. Lone, Principal, Walnut Grove P.S. M. Moorcroft, Principal, Castlemore P.S.


Response to Delegation regarding changes to the Peel District School Board By-law G-3

Recommendation:


Background:

At the Regular Meeting of the Board held on August 29, 2017 Paul Fromm delegated the Board regarding changes to Peel District School Board By-law G-3.

Submitted by:


September 12, 2017

Paul Fromm

Dear Paul Fromm:

Peel District • School Board ........,

5650 Hurontarto Street Mississauga, ON, Canada L5R 1C6 t 905.890.1010 1.800.668.1146 f 905.890.6747 www.peelschools.org

Thank you for taking the time to delegate the Peel District School Board on Aug. 29, 2017. I am writing to follow up on concerns you raised in your presentation.

First, it's important to note that the Peel board has a long history of welcoming delegations, public questions and petitions at Regular Meetings of the Board. Over the years, we have welcomed residents, community members, parents, students and staff members as delegates at board and board committee meetings. Not only is it our role and responsibility to hear from and respond to the communities we serve, but it is also our privilege.

While you may disagree with revisions to Peel board By-Law G-3 related to delegations, public question period and petitions, I wish to draw your attention to Section 207(3) of the Education Act which states: (3) The presiding officer may expel or exclude from any meeting any person who has been guilty of improper conduct at the meeting. While open and honest dialogue is important in a democratic society, and opposing views are welcomed, any behaviour that contravenes Peel board Policy 48- Safe Schools is not acceptable.

As a board, we are highly aware of our obligations regarding our commitment to working with and alongside our communities, and we treat those obligations seriously. We are committed to creating safe, positive climates for learning and working-spaces where individuals treat others with high regard and respect.

I trust the aforementioned information provides sufficient context and background to issues addressed during your delegation.


Sincerely,


Trustees Janet McDougald, Chair Suzanne Nurse. Vice-Chair Carrie Andrews




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THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 9.2

Regular Meeting of the Board September 12, 2017

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PHYSICAL PLANNING AND BUILDING COMMITTEE

At a meeting of the Physical Planning and Building Committee, held September 7, 2017, there were no recommendations to the Board.

FOR INFORMATION ONLY

1. Reports /Information Received

The Committee received the following reports I information: Student Transportation of Peel Region Governance Committee Minutes of March 31, 2017; Peel DSB Capital Priority Submission to the Ministry of Education; Application Status Update; Tender Activity Report for May 25, 2017 to August 16, 2017; Vandalism Reports for May and June 2017.

Prepared by:

Lorelei Fernandes Board Reporter

Submitted by:

Randy Wright Controller, Planning and Accommodation Support Services


Appointments to the Special Education Advisory Committee

Recommendation:

It is recommended that Thomas Corbett be appointed as the representative for the Learning Disabilities Association of Peel Region (ldapr) on the Special Education Advisory Committee and that Carol Ogilvie be appointed as Learning Disabilities Association of Peel Region's alternate representative.

Background:

The Learning Disabilities Association of Peel Region has advised that, effective September 1, 2017, it is nominating Thomas Corbett as its representative and Carol Ogilvie as its alternate representative on the Special Education Advisory Committee.

Prepared and submitted by:

Ted Byers, Superintendent of Special Education Support Services

Documents

, Peel District - Sept. 12, 2017 - OPEN... · Peel District • ....., School Board September 12, 2017 TO: Janet McDougald RE: Regular Meeting of the Board - Agenda Updates REGRETS: