Feature Stories 2018-19
Most expect school hallways to be empty during the summer, but camp is in session at some Grand Erie elementary schools this month. In the third year of Camp SAIL (Summer Adventures in Learning), teachers are enhancing primary and junior school students’ abilities in mathematics and technology, while also giving them a true summer camp experience.
This summer, Laurie Tottle, Principal at Paris District High School, had the chance to cross an item off her bucket list while participating in a professional development opportunity half-way around the globe.
The first day back to school is a new start, a chance to shine your shoes and put your best foot forward. School buildings are no exception – they need to look their best and operate optimally to maintain environments conducive to success.
Grand Erie District School Board’s elementary and secondary schools re-open on Tuesday, September 4 with staff ready to welcome new and returning students as well as their families for the 2018-19 school year.
Grand Erie District School Board received approval from the Ministry of Education for the 2018-19 School Year Calendars in May 2018. The calendars were developed in collaboration with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, and received input from Executive Council.
Director Brenda Blancher took to the open road on Day 1 to see Achievement, Equity, Community, Technology, Environment, and Well-Being in action across Grand Erie.
In 2016, Grand Erie approved a new strategic direction that guides the work that the school board is doing. At the centre of this Multi-Year Plan is the goal of Success for Every Student.
“Dark” and “dingy” seemed to be the most popular adjectives to describe Waterford District High School’s old library. But not anymore. At an event last Friday (October 12), staff, students, and Trustees unveiled the transformed Learning Commons, a modern, innovative space to handle current teaching and learning needs.
The Eco Schools Club, Me to We Club, and Student Council are working together to help Oakland-Scotland students understand their impact on the world around them, both locally and globally.
Schools in the News.
Three years ago, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada outlined 94 calls to action meant to begin repairing the harm caused by the residential school system. Call number 63 forms the foundation for Grand Erie’s Indigenous Student Leadership Planning Day, which focuses on building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.
To celebrate its growing and diverse student population, and in carrying out Grand Erie’s goal of Success for Every Student, Caledonia Centennial Public School focuses many of its efforts on Equity.
Grand Erie’s Ed Tech team has launched a website rich with resources, downloads, and tutorials aimed at building a community of support around the integration of technology in and out of the classroom.
As we await next steps from the Ministry of Education regarding the Health and Physical Education curriculum, we want to assure our community that Grand Erie is fully committed to the well-being and achievement of all of our students by providing sound instruction and a learning environment that aligns with the realities of the world in which we live.
Grand Erie's Indigenous Education team has put together a newsletter highlighting the events, projects, and initiatives that took place this past year.
How do you motivate and engage students in the writing process? The answer in Grade 8 at Thompson Creek Elementary School is to give them a real purpose for their writing.
Students at North Park Collegiate dealing with anxiety issues affected attendance, and coping with daily, unmanageable stress have found a new outlet to ground themselves. Through the Mixed Exceptionalities classes, Special Services, and Student Success Departments, students are completing interest-based projects as a means of stress reduction and healthy interactions to refocus their personal goals.
Nature has become an extension of the classroom at Bloomsburg Public School, thanks to two community partnerships that are bringing students up close and personal with the unique ecological features of the area.
This year, Delhi District Secondary School (DDSS) took on the role of host school for the district level of the National Theatre School Drama Festival. This week-long festival included secondary school drama ensembles from throughout the Brant-Oxford-Haldimand-Norfolk district, and required some exciting training for the school’s Festival Crew to prepare.
Winter is still several weeks away, but students and staff at Woodman-Cainsville School are already thinking about next summer. That’s because the school is the recipient of an Earth Week grant, and will be embarking on an exciting school-ground greening project next year.
Grand Erie’s John Macdonald, teacher at Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School, was honoured on Thursday, October 25, with an award presented by the Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation during its annual gala celebration in Hamilton.
This school year, Graham Bell-Victoria continues to focus on healthy eating and living. Thanks to the support of Brant Food For Thought, Child Hunger Brantford, and the Swanson family, students are being supported with healthy food choices throughout the school day.
As we await more details from the Ministry of Education regarding its New Vision for Education in Ontario, Grand Erie remains committed to the goal of our Multi-Year Plan, Success for Every Student.
This past winter was a cold one, but thanks to a community effort rooted in tradition at Mt. Pleasant School, it was a heartwarming season as well.
At Grand Erie Learning Alternatives’ (GELA) City Centre campus in downtown Brantford, you’ll meet Pat. Pat doesn’t have a lot to say, and spends most of the time just sitting around. But Pat is an important part of the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program. Pat helps students as they learn to provide clients with the dignity and care they deserve.
October 17th marked Global Dignity Day, a movement with a vision of a world where compassion, understanding, and love triumphs. Grand Erie took part in this global conversation in its own way with Day of Dignity, a unique event for secondary student leaders that included workshops, a keynote speaker, and a chance to develop and exchange ideas with fellow students.
Teeterville Public School students recently became more aware of the wonders of the natural world and their role in preserving it, without leaving their own backyard.
Since last October, students at Lansdowne-Costain Public School have had the option to go outside for nutrition break, or go to the school’s social room where they have the opportunity to play cooperative games including the very popular Minecraft.
In the spirit of inclusiveness, the student government at Courtland Public School wanted to create a visual display that could serve as a reminder to students every day to be positive and kind towards everyone. So Student Prime Minister Zoey, shortly after she was elected, started thinking about how to incorporate the idea of trees and the concept of growth at school. She came up with an idea that led to this unique project.
We are The Future group at Russell Reid Elementary School. We started as a group of five Grade 8 girls who were assigned a class project to keep a record of how many plastic lids were consistently thrown away in the recycle bin or trash bin.
“Breathe in and breathe out.” These words have become a familiar refrain at Langton Public School this fall as students explore the positive impacts that yoga and mindfulness can have on their overall well-being.
Trustee Greg Anderson will serve another year as Board Chair of the Grand Erie District School Board. Anderson, who was acclaimed on Monday evening during the Board’s Nomination Meeting, was also Board Chair in 2017-18.
The students and staff at Walter Gretzky Elementary are building a history of coming together to do things for the greater good. When the school opened its doors in 2012, it was the intention of the administration and staff at that time that the school reflect the kindness and generosity of its namesake, local philanthropist and famous hockey dad Walter Gretzky. Since then, students and the school community have dedicated themselves to cultivating that spirit of giving by becoming involved citizens of the community and giving back in any way possible.
“The drum is the only instrument on the planet that is universal to every nation, race, and peoples,” says Oscar De Los Santos as he demonstrates to students and staff the sound and vibration emanating from a traditional frame drum. “It connects us to our ancestors, and it connects us to the heartbeat of the earth.”
A unique project in Angela McMillan’s Challenge and Change in Society class at Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School has inspired students to go above and beyond the goals of the assignment and make a significant impact on their local community in the process.
January was a busy month at Onondaga-Brant Public School as students, staff, families, and community members worked hard on the theatrical production of the classic Alice in Wonderland.
Intermediate students (Grades 7-8) from Echo Place School and Onondaga-Brant Public School were honoured at the City of Brantford’s Council Meeting on Tuesday night (April 30) when they receive an Environmental Recognition Award from the City’s Environmental Policy Advisory Committee.
Despite the fact that the Intermediate Lady Bravehearts are going on a trip, it’s a very quiet bus ride. Is this because it’s first thing in the morning, or is it the nervous anticipation surrounding the adventure we’re about to embark on?
It’s not every day you get to see your teachers face off against an Olympic athlete. But that’s just what happened at Grandview Public School recently. Charmaine Reid, an Olympian and Pan-Am Badminton Champion, has visited a number of Grand Erie elementary schools this fall for a high-energy demonstration that got students and staff up and moving, with an important message to boot.
The holiday season is fast approaching, and Grand Erie Learning Alternatives (GELA) is kicking off the season of giving in Grand Erie with its annual clothing swap.
The students in the room are getting used to the idea of being resident experts, capable and empowered to solve common tech problems that can stymie many adults and professionals. They’re learning how to help their classrooms make the most out of technology to support learning.
For several years, students at Dunnville Secondary School have participated in an annual charity event called the Jolly Jingle Bonanza that raises food, clothing, and money for the local branch of the Salvation Army.
Grand Erie’s newest school, which opened to students last month, is inviting the community to come and explore the new state-of-the-art building, with a holiday open house on Wednesday (December 19), beginning at 5:30 p.m.
In the cafeteria at Dunnville Secondary School, two young adults not much older than the students they’re presenting to are discussing details from their personal lives – the kinds of things that, until recently, just weren’t talked about openly. They discuss times when they didn’t feel mentally well, and how friends supported them or helped them find appropriate supports.
Community partnerships are important to every school, and Waterford Public School is no exception. In February, the school participated in the Waterford Lions’ annual Skate-a-Thon. This event brought students and families from five local schools together for a fun afternoon of skating, and an opportunity to support a unique opportunity in the community.
The annual Remembrance Day assembly at Centennial-Grand Woodlands School featured a poignant performance this year. Students in the school’s Ukulele Club rehearsed a number that included instrumental and vocals, and struck a chord among everyone in attendance.
On December 6, Lakewood Elementary School held its second annual celebration marking the Hour of Code, an international event that started as a one-hour introduction to computer science.The event aims to demystify "code” by covering the basics in a fun, accessible way.
Research has shown that there is a direct relationship between being mentally healthy and a student’s ability to learn and achieve their current and future goals. Within the education system, Well-Being is about teaching students the social-emotional skills that help them become resilient, and make positive and healthy choices that support their learning and achievement.
A wave of orange will fill the halls of Grand Erie schools on September 28, as the board recognizes Orange Shirt Day to educate and raise awareness of the residential school system, and the continuing impact it has had on Indigenous communities.
Recently, students in Grade 6 at Branlyn Community School tested their creativity and demonstrated their knowledge of literary structures by turning traditional fairy tales on their heads. “Fractured Fairy Tales” is an exercise which takes classic tales such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, and tells them from the perspective of another character in the story.
Student representation at the boardroom table will grow from two to three in 2018-19 as Grand Erie District School Board welcomes its first Indigenous Student Trustee following the selection of all Student Trustee positions at last month’s Student Senate meeting.
Perhaps you’ve seen those cooking shows where a chef is challenged to make a meal with limited ingredients. Well, a similar challenge is shaping up at Walpole North Elementary School, but with pipe cleaners and straws instead of culinary ingredients.
A recent assembly at Cedarland Public School, led by students in Mrs. Catherine Money’s Grade 1/2 class, explored the theme of perseverance, celebrating the life and accomplishments of Terry Fox, who embarked on a cross-country run to raise funds for cancer research in 1980, following his own cancer diagnosis and the amputation of his right leg.
Grand Erie District School Board is showcasing what its Multi-Year Plan means through the launch of a video series focused on Equity, a key pillar of the Board’s strategic plan. The video series tells the stories for four Grand Erie students who have overcome adversity and challenges to succeed.
Grand Erie District School Board is marking Treaties Recognition Week, November 5-9, by providing valuable opportunities for teachers to implement lessons and activities to aid students’ understanding of the complex history of Canada, and the work involved in moving towards Reconciliation.
Hagersville Elementary School has a long standing tradition of hosting a grandparents and friends’ tea event each spring, increasing family involvement in students’ learning and celebrating special, multigenerational bonds.
January is Kindergarten registration month, and Grand Erie District School Board is ready to welcome its newest class of young learners, with information for parents to assist them during the registration process. Parents of children who will be four years old by the end of 2019 will want to take note of deadlines and required documents to ensure a seamless start to their child’s schooling in September.
Grand Erie District School Board understands the transition to secondary school is important. There are many choices for students and their parents to make including which school to attend, which classes to take, and which extracurricular activities to be part of.
Responses to this survey will provide Grand Erie District School Board with information about the viability of running a Before and After school program at your school for the 2019-20 school year.
Keeping up with this Canadian winter tradition, École Confédération has celebrated Carnaval every year for the past 10 years.
As part of a community event, held each year on the first Friday evening in September, Haldimand Motors invited four Haldimand-area secondary schools to compete in a contest to see how many students could fit into a car in one minute.
If you walk through the halls of Bellview Public School in December, you might get a bit hungry.
Treating each other with kindness, celebrating differences, and promoting love and dignity were the messages of the day at Delhi Public School and Teeterville Public School on Wednesday, February 20, when human rights strategist Chris D’Souza visited students and staff.
As Grand Erie District School Board continues to carry out the work of its Multi-Year Plan, board activities for the 2018-19 school year will focus on Equity – a key pillar of that plan – and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
Grand Erie District School Board is amending its 2018-19 School Year Calendar for secondary students to re-designate Friday, June 21, 2019 as an instructional day instead of an exam day.
“I’m a little embarrassed today,” revealed Superintendent Wayne Baker as he addressed an auditorium of elementary students, most members of their schools’ eco clubs, during Grand Erie’s seventh annual Eco Conference last week. “I’m embarrassed because your generation is going to have to clean up the mess my generation made.”
Dr. Jean Clinton, clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience’s Division of Child Psychiatry at McMaster University, is coming to Cobblestone Elementary School on April 30 to speak at a free event for Grand Erie parents titled The Student Brain Under Construction.
Students and staff across Grand Erie District School Board will recognize Remembrance Day on Friday, November 9, preparing a variety of activities and events to honour the Canadian heroes who served our county in the name of freedom.
There is no shortage of extracurricular options available to students at Agnes G. Hodge Public School, but the arts is always a favourite, and this year what’s really piqued the interest of many is the option of learning to play a musical instrument.
During Earth Week last month, Grandview Public School students did their part to make the world a better place, starting with their own neighbourhood.
At Grand Erie Learning Alternatives (GELA)’s Under 18 Program in Brantford, the staff and students pride themselves on creating a strong sense of community, and tailoring programming to build hands-on, transferrable skills.
Grand Erie District School Board will be marking the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Monday, December 3 by celebrating the Board’s third annual Accessibility Awareness Day. The day is meant to increase knowledge and awareness of obstacles faced by individuals with disabilities, and to find out what can be done to remove barriers for participation in order to provide access for all students and staff.
As we continue to await more details from the Ministry of Education regarding funding for 2019-20, the Grand Erie District School Board is confirming the following staffing impacts for next year...
North Park's Link Crew members recently received an impressive recognition. A majority of the group of 56 students travelled to Hamilton to attend the regional YMCA Peace Medal breakfast on November 28, and came back with one of the highest honour the annual event bestows, receiving peace medals in the Youth Group category.
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the death of one of our Grand Erie students, Spencer Edwards, who died in a car accident October 31, along with his father Don.
Grand Erie District School Board’s Art Soup program aims to expose junior students to a range of artistic disciplines, with a recipe for success that includes connecting them to working artists in visual arts, music, theatre, and dance.
During Mental Health Week 2019, which begins today and runs through Friday (May 10), Grand Erie District School Board students will learn about the skills that help maintain positive mental health. The annual celebration is focused on encouraging wellness, building resiliency and increasing awareness of the importance of mental health.
While Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School may not have a production in the provincial showcase at the National Theatre School Festival this year (last year’s And She Split the Sky in Two advanced to the finals – the best showing for a Grand Erie production), the school is set to be the host with the most to the best student theatre productions in the province
Grand Erie is thrilled to welcome Student Trustees Alex Hauser, Jayden Hsiao, and Allan St. Pierre to the board room table. On Monday, August 27, the team of three, elected to provide consultation, representation, and input into decision-making during the 2018-18 school year, will take their seats with Trustees and Superintendents.
Kindergarten student Levi is walking into Mapleview Elementary School in Dunnville for the first time, and his eyes are like saucers. He’s looking at the shiny floors, the new coat hooks, the large, expansive windows with light flowing in. Every few seconds, a new detail catches his attention.
For new and returning families, Ecole Dufferin’s Parent Council has been instrumental in kicking off the new school year on a positive note.
North Park Collegiate and Vocational School is bringing together local employers, representatives from college programs, and community organizations as it hosts What’s Your Plan?, a unique event aimed at informing students and parents about opportunities and career paths in the technology and trades sectors.
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the death of Dawn Tanner, Department Head for Special Education at Hagersville Secondary School. Dawn was one of 18 Canadians who died in the Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday (March 10) that was headed to Nairobi, Kenya.
Grand Erie’s Parent Involvement Committee (GEPIC) is hosting an important and timely social media and online safety information session for parents on April 16.
“We wanted to grab as much attention as we could, and inspire people to make small changes to help the earth,” says Charlotte, a Grade 8 student who is part of small group of students who’ve dubbed themselves The Future. “Having a safe planet is the most important thing.”
Kate Johnson-McGregor, Teacher Librarian at Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School (BCI), is the 2018 recipient of the Patti McCleister Memorial Award. Johnson-McGregor was presented the award at last night’s Board meeting.
In addition to 28 years in the technology and cyber security sector, and seven years educating students, parents, and law enforcement officials on the topic of social networking and online safety, Paul Davis is also a keen reader of body language.
It’s highly unusual for a school to tell its students and staff that they need to “unlearn,” but this is exactly what Elgin Avenue Public School did recently.
Building on the enormous success and positive momentum of previous events, Delhi District Secondary School will host the fifth annual Rainbow Ball, welcoming LGBTQ+ students and allies from across Grand Erie to the semi-formal dance on Thursday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m.
“When I found out this project was going forward, I actually cried,” said Barb Guest, Secretary at Central Public School in Brantford, with a beaming smile during the grand opening of the school’s recently renovated learning commons on May 6. “The difference is like night and day – it’s such an incredible transformation into an inspiring and welcoming space, and everyone just loves coming in here.”
At the City of Brantford’s Council Meeting on Tuesday night (April 30), the students who dubbed themselves ‘The Future’ received an Environmental Recognition Award from the City’s Environmental Policy Advisory Committee.
Each May, Grand Erie elementary and secondary school students celebrate Education Week through a variety of events and activities. The goal of Education Week, which takes place May 6-10, is to highlight student excellence in learning.
A unique project in Simcoe Composite School’s World Cultures class this semester has raised awareness and generated conversation around an important national issue, and resulted in a thought-provoking display outside the library that is getting the rest of the school talking as well.
Reaching your dreams is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and a recent presentation at James Hillier Public School drove home this message.
The goal of Grand Erie District School Board’s Multi-Year Plan is Success for Every Student. In order to achieve this, the Board must understand the needs of its students and their families.