FROM THE TRUSTEE
http://www.dpcdsb.org/CEC/About+Us/Wards/Mississauga28.htm
From Your Catholic School Trustee
Sharon Hobin
Wards 2 and 8
Lenten Message
As we await Easter our schools have been in preparation during the season of Lent. Our schools have engaged in Ash Wednesday events, liturgies and prayers through Lent and, of course, their regular religious instruction. Many of our schools use this time for almsgiving to ShareLife charitable events and general awareness of the disadvantaged in our community. All this occurs in preparation for the celebration of Holy Week and, ultimately, Easter. I wish to extend, on behalf of myself and the board of trustees, God's blessing during this season of Lent.
Getting Down to Business
Since the Inaugural Meeting of the new board of trustees, we have been busy from December to February dealing with a number of items that help shape our schools. The list below, while not exhaustive, does reflect the work of your elected trustees.
Trustee orientation workshop;
By-law Revisions;
Report on Transportation - Integration, Complaint Process;
Approval of Capital Priorities selection criteria;
Approval of the Dufferin-Peel Capital Plan to be submitted to the Ministry;
Boundary Change to St. Edmund Campion Secondary School;
Boundary Change (Sept. 2011) to St. Rita Elementary and Robert F. Hall CSS;
Director's Annual Report;
Approved Revised Budget with investments in:
additional textbooks;
science textbooks;
St. James as an Arts school;
CEC repairs;
Renovations to Blessed Trinity School;
ICT upgrades;
Delegations on transportation - walking distances for secondary students;
Dufferin-Peel Baptism Welcome Program;
Year End Report on Privacy Commission;
Certification of Governance by OCSTA (Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association) and St. MichaelÕs College University;
Approval of the Modified School Year Calendar;
Approval of the Tender for the new Loyola
Reviewed the role of OCSTA;
Received the OCSTA Pre-Budget Paper;
Received the OCSTA Finance Paper;
In-servicing on Expulsion and Suspension Appeals;
In-servicing on the Occupational Health and Safety Bill 168;
Review of the budget process;
Meeting with local MPPs to discuss issues related to Catholic Education in the community;
Board EQAO Profile;
Update on the Green Initiatives in our Schools;
Met with local Bishop and Pastors within our community on areas of mutual interest.
Baptism Welcome
The board has begun a program that will introduce parents, who are having their child baptized, to the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. Each parent will be provided with an information package regarding the Catholic School System, programs, kindergarten and a number of other items in the package. This is our boards desire to link parishes, families and schools together in areas of mutual interest. The packages will be distributed at the local church by the Pastor or an associate. We are thankful for the ongoing support of our pastors in the endeavour of Catholic education.
Check your Direction of School Support
One of the methods of ensuring that the Catholic community is represented is to make sure, if you are eligible to be a Catholic ratepayer, that your assessment forms from your municipality identify you as an English Catholic School Supporter. If you would like confirmation or assistance with checking your school support designation, call our Assessment Department at (905) 890-0708, ext. 24512 and staff will be pleased to assist you. Please remember that when you move residences, your assessment automatically reverts to support the English Public school system if you donÕt identify your preference to be a Separate (Catholic) school supporter.
Integrated Ridership
The board has approved the implementation of integrated ridership, where feasible, starting in September 2011. Students from our board will ride on school buses with children from other school boards. Integrated ridership is more effective and efficient, which saves money, is more environmentally friendly and reduces traffic in our communities. Integrated ridership will only work in certain neighbourhoods. There will be regular updates in school newsletters regarding the implementation of this program.
Budget Preparation
Preparations for the 2011-2012 budget are well underway. We are waiting for the Ministry of Education to announce the funding for next year through the GSN (Grants for Student Needs) which will give us the revenue base from which to develop the budget.
Consultation sessions have begun with the various stakeholders. As is our practice, we will hold a public consultation meeting on May 10 and will also provide opportunities for the community to give us input on the budget through online submissions. This will be communicated to you through the school, the board website at
www.dpcdsb.org and other means.
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Trustee Message
We did meet with the MPPÕs. Our MPP was not present but I will be meeting with him in the near future. A copy of the paper presented to the MPPÓs is on the board web site for your perusal.
I am very proud of all of my schools. I have been blessed to have been invited to and have attended many events and activities including Christmas concerts, Masses, Winter Carnivals, Arts presentations, sporting events, social justice activities, school council meetings and much more. Congratulations to all of our students who are taking part in sports, the arts, outreach and social justice. All of my schools are working to improve in EQAO results as well as many initiatives to improve literacy and numeracy. So much thanks goes to our Catholic School Councils, our priests, our Administration Teams, teachers, support staff and custodians! I wish you all a peaceful and blessed Easter.
As always, I welcome your comments and concerns. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email. May the good
Lord always hold you in the palm of His hand. God bless.
Sharon
Board of Trustees
John B. Kostoff, Director of Education