The Leader - 27/04/2026

Regular Meeting of the Board

April 27, 2026

All reports for this meeting can be found HERE.

Student Showcase

Showcase - James Hillier choir

The James Hillier 2026 Choir is a vibrant ensemble composed of students from grades 5 through 8. Within this group, some members are embarking on their choral journey for the first time, while others bring with them years of vocal experience. United by a shared passion for music, these dedicated students consistently demonstrate exceptional commitment, generously volunteering their recess time to rehearse, refine their vocal skills, and prepare performances for a variety of audiences. During Monday evening’s board meeting, the choir performed its original version of "O Canada," followed by "Larger Than Life.”

Learn Lead Inspire Award

The Learn Lead Inspire award celebrates students, staff members and volunteers who have made outstanding contributions and shown steadfast commitment to their school communities, aligning with Grand Erie’s mission to build a culture of Learning, Well-being and Belonging to inspire each learner.

Jenna Thompson, Delhi District Secondary School

A dedicated educator, Jenna Thompson consistently places student well-being at the forefront while creating meaningful opportunities for learners to grow, express themselves, and thrive. Beyond her classroom at Delhi District Secondary School, Jenna’s commitment is evident in the vibrant programs she leads at the school. Countless hours go into running the Drama Club, organizing and directing the school’s theatrical productions, the Gamer Club, and the Link Crew, mentoring learners to become confident, capable leaders. This year, Jenna introduced an innovative “Lunch and Learn” program that united Link Crew leaders and staff to support Grade 9 students as they prepare for their first exams. Through thoughtfully organized sessions, complete with community-sponsored meals, students gained practical strategies in studying, note-taking, and exam writing, skills they are now applying with confidence in their classes. Through her unwavering efforts, Jenna captures the “You Belong Here” spirit of Grand Erie, fostering an inclusive, supportive secondary-school experience where all students are empowered to learn, lead, and inspire.

Amy Klassen, Donna Furtney and Lisa Rowntree, J.L. Mitchener Public School

Over the past four years, Grade 3 educator Amy Klassen, Grade 6 educator Donna Furtney, and Learning Resource Teacher Lisa Rowntree have exemplified the essence of the Learn Lead Inspire award through exceptional leadership in mathematics at J.L. Mitchener Public School and beyond. United by a shared commitment to student success, they have designed and led impactful professional learning centred on the effective use of Knowledgehook to uncover student misconceptions and guide precise, responsive instruction. By sharing their expertise with educators across 14 other Grand Erie schools, they have empowered colleagues to refine both assessment practices and instructional strategies in math, fostering a culture of thoughtful, evidence-informed teaching. The impact of their work is both meaningful and measurable, as reflected in the school’s steadily improving EQAO results. The strategies they have shared have contributed to improved engagement, a deeper understanding of mathematical thinking, and more confidence in tackling challenging math problems. Amy, Donna, and Lisa have made a powerful contribution to student success and professional learning throughout Grand Erie.

Next Steps for Paris Elementary School

A new elementary school serving the growing Paris community is one step closer to a name. Following Monday’s board meeting, approvals were made to establish a special ad hoc naming committee to engage the community in selecting an official moniker. This work will commence during the 2026-27 school year.

Student Trustees Attend the OSTA-AECO Conference

Student Trustees hosted the Student Senate at Simcoe Composite School in late winter. The session served as a pivotal moment for student leadership within Grand Erie, focusing on the election of future representation, and the strategic planning of board-wide initiatives. The day included brainstorm sessions on issues including the modernization of school spirit days to build more inclusive practices, barriers to student participation, and establishing effective future frameworks for continued engagement.

Policies and Procedures

Several policies were up for review, and were approved following Monday’s board meeting. For full details, see pages 42 to 50 of the board package.

Director’s Report Highlights

Building Blanche E. Williams Public School

Construction continues at the future site of Blanche E. Williams Public School in West Brant. Work is on track for the school to open its doors to learners in September. The building is a joint-use project with the city of Brantford and will include a public library and recreation center on the same campus. To prepare for the 2026-27 school year, students, families and staff were invited to complete a survey to select an official school identity.

Blanche E. Williams Construction update 1

Blanche E. Williams Construction update 2

Travels in Learning and Honouring the Past

Three cadets and Simcoe Composite School students participated in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ieper, Belgium last month. Grayden Dale-Vankerrebroeck laid a wreath on behalf of all Grand Erie students; Holden Kennedy on behalf of their Simcoe branch of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets; and Maddie Mummery on behalf of the Port Dover branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Staff and students from Simcoe Composite School, Waterford District High School, Valley Heights Secondary School, and Delhi District Secondary School, taking part in the overseas trip, were very proud to witness the ceremony honouring all missing Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave, including many Canadians.

Royal Canadian Army Cadets - Grayden Dale-Vankerrebroeck - Holden Kennedy - Maddie Mummery

McKinnon Park Student Receives Prestigious Undergraduate Award

Annice Adams, a Grade 12 student at McKinnon Park Secondary School, is a recipient of this year’s Loran Scholarship, selected from more than 5,400 applicants nationwide. The student leader served as student council prime minister, was a Connect Crew mentor, a dedicated ringette coach, and a community volunteer. The Loran scholarship is one of Canada’s most prestigious undergraduate awards, and Adams says stepping outside her comfort zone was a key component to her remarkable achievement.

Program Connects Students to Canada’s National Sport

Grade 7 and 8 students were at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville to learn about Canada's national sport. The Haudenosaunee Lacrosse program's Kevin Sandy and Scott Martin shared the game's history, culture and variations, giving students a hands-on opportunity to test their knowledge skills. This year, students from 10 elementary schools in Grand Erie have taken part in the learning. Watch the video now.

Skills Competition Highlights Students’ Achievements

Held at Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School this month, the Skills Competition brought together secondary students to showcase their expertise in skilled trades and technologies ranging from culinary arts to robotics. For some, this is an opportunity to compete for a place at the provincial Skills Ontario competition next month.

Grand Erie Leading Forward

Grand Erie is set to renew its strategic plan, Leading Forward, to meaningfully guide and support learners’ success over the next four years. The board collected input from students, staff members, and families through a survey, and a recent strategic planning session brought together stakeholders from across the district to put their stamp on this important work.

Two people engaged in discussion during LLI event

Director’s Quarterly Report Highlights

The Quarterly Report covers highlights from across Grand Erie this past winter.

Read the report here

Multi-Year Plan Stories

The following stories showcase some of the most recent stories related to the Multi-Year Strategic Plan.

Learning

Brantford Collegiate Hosts Local National Theatre School’s DramaFest