Peel District • School Board '-"'

September 13, 2016

TO: Janet McDougald

RE: Regular Meeting of the Board - Agenda Updates

REGRETS:

REGRETS FOR LATE ARRIVAL:

ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:

6.4 Letter to the CEO of EQAO in response to their response to our letter of June 22, 2016 regarding the assignment of a zero mark for refugee students (insert after page 46)

6.5 Response to a letter received from Canadian Parents for French regarding classroom closures (insert after page 46)

6.6 Response to a letter received from Junior Elementary Music Makers regarding classroom closures (insert after page 46)

7.1 Withdrawn- Request to Delegate: David Rampersad regarding a flexible boundary application to Castle Oaks Public School

7.1 Late request to delegate: Barbara Cogan, JEMMS- (Peel's Junior Elementary Music Makers) re classroom closures impact on music programs

8.1 Response to delegation by Catherine Soplet regarding the 2017 Pilot of the Citizenship Apprenticeship Program, Immigration and Poverty

12.1 OPSBA Fast Report Changes

Regular Meeting of the Board September 13, 2016

Peel District • School Board ~

Trustees

September 13, 2016

Bruce Rodrigues, CEO Education Quality & Accountability Office (EQAO) 2 Carlton Street Toronto, ON MSB 2M9

Dear Mr. Rodrigues ,

5650 Hurontano Street MISSISSauga, ON Canada L5R 1C6 t 905.8901010 1 800 666 1146 f 905 690 6747 www peel schools org

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Peel District School Board, I am writing in response to your letter of July 15, 2016 regarding the impact of EQAO testing on Syrian newcomer students in the spring of 2016.

You indicate in your letter that the board misunderstands how EQAO records the exemption of these students - that they are identified as "no data or exempt categories" and do not receive a "mark of zero." You further indicate that the second method of reporting provides balanced reporting.

The board is disappointed that you have missed the essential messages in our letter, specifically that these students should not be expected to write the assessment given their unique circumstances and that the exemption still has a negative impact on the school results under the fully participating method. While the second method is a more accurate reflection of student performance, it is clear that this method is not publically displayed- not by EQAO or the media. This can have a demoralizing impact on the staff, students and parents of a school community, and negatively affect student achievement and school perception.

We unders.tand from Director of Education Tony Pontes that you have spoken with him and clarified that EQAO does not have the authority to exclude students from the assessment or from method 1 reporting, and that this is the authority of the government. Because of this, we are forwarding our objections to the Minister of Education in the hopes that our concerns can be considered and addressed.

Janet McDougald Chair, Peel District School Board

c. OPSBA Ontario School Board Chairs Peel MPP's Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education

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 Director, Instructional Support Services Stan Cameron Robert Crocker Nokha Dakroub

Scott Moreash •

Associate Director, Operational Support Services Jaspal Gill

6.4

Regular Meeting of the Board September 13, 2016

Sept. 12, 2016

Betty Gormley Executive Director Canadian Parents for French Ontario Branch 103-2055 Dundas St. E. Misssissauga, ON L4X 1M2

Dear Betty Gormley:

6.5

Peel District • School Board '-""

5650 Hurontarlo Street r•l ;sslssauga, ON, Canada LSR 1C6 t 905 8901010 1 BOO 6681146 r 905 s9o 6747 ,•,ww poelschools org

Thank you for writing to us to share the concerns of Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) regarding the decision to close excess classroom space to align with provincial funding for operational purposes and how this affects the location of French as a Second Language (FSL) programs in Peel District School Board schools during the 2016-17 school year and beyond. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns in writing, as we understand you have also spoken with Poleen Grewal, Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Support Services.

As you know, provincial budget reductions have impacted the Peel board's provision of custodial services, reducing the number of classrooms that are supported by custodial staff. Because of this, empty classrooms, for which custodial services are no longer being funded, must now be closed in order to ensure adequate service to other fully funded spaces in the school and the board. Unfortunately, at the current time, the Ministry of Education's funding to the Peel board has been reduced and does not provide funding for spaces in the school for subjects such as French. While this in no way means that the Peel board values FSL instruction any less than other subject areas, we are nonetheless faced with the realities of this funding formula and must take measures to ensure that custodial services are delivered in a fiscally responsible manner. This means that some teachers who may have previously had access to dedicated French classrooms no longer do. This is an unfortunate impact of budget constraints and we appreciate Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) voicing its concerns about this to the Minister of Education and to the Ministry of Education.

We agree that good fiscal management should not be implemented at the expense of a quality FSL program. We do not, however, believe that dedicated classrooms for French are required to deliver high quality instruction and learning opportunities in French. In many schools across Peel, French has been delivered without dedicated French classrooms. Because of limited classroom space, French teachers move from classroom to classroom and deliver instruction in students' home rooms. In these cases, students have been able to achieve personal excellence in French and have consistently met curriculum expectations. Families, students and staff at these schools have not expressed any concerns about the quality of FSL instruction to the Peel board. This is true not only in Peel, but in many boards across the province where French is taught "on carts" as a result of accommodation pressures or budget reductions.

. .. 2

FSL grants provided by the ministry are used to support FSL infrastructure, such as French teaching and learning resources for students, staffing in schools, professional development for French, and an instructional coordinator and resource teacher for Core French and French Immersion. We have every confidence that our professional teaching staff will continue to deliver a strong FSL program moving forward, as they always have.

Our commitment to FSL programs at the Peel board is long-standing. We value FSL and, over the years, have invested heavily in the provision of human and other resources to ensure FSL supports are in place to support all of our students. As Superintendent Grewal committed to during your conversation with her, this topic will be on a future French Advisory Committee agenda. We are open to input from staff, students, parents and Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) on the possible future implementation of dedicated Core French classrooms within our fiscal realities, but will not be reversing our current position for the 2016-17 school year.

2

We remain committed to continuing to offer high quality FSL instruction and look forward to working with you to support families and students who receive FSL instruction.

Yours sincerely,

Janet McDougald Tony Pontes Chair, Peel District School Board Director of Education

c. Peel District School Board Trustees Senior Administration, Peel District School Board Amy Cundari, Instructional Coordinator, French As A Second Language Mary Cruden, President, Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) Candy Weekes, President, CPF Brampton East Chapter Shirley Tisdale, President, CPF Caledon Chapter Humaira Khan, President, CPF Mississauga West Chapter

Trustees Janet McDougald, Chair Suzanne Nurse, Vice·Chair Carrie Andrews Stan Cameron Raben Crocker Nokha Dakroub

David Green Sue Lawton Brad MacDonald Kathy McDonald Rick Williams Har1mat Singh

Director of Education and Secretary Tony Pontes

Associate Director, Instructional Support Services Scott Moreash

Associate Director, Operational Support Services Jaspai Gill

CPF Omadian Parents for French Ontario

July 7, 2016

Tony Pontes, Director of Education Janet McDougald, Chair of the Board of Trustees Peel District School Board 5650 Hurontario St . Mississauga ON L5R 1C6

RE: Decision to move elementary Core French programs to programs on carts

Dear Director Tony Pontes, Janet McDougald, and Trustees:

ONTARIO BRANCH 103-2055 Dundas St. E. Mississauga, ON I L4X 1M2 t: 905.366.1012

1.800.667.0594 f: 905.625.5570 on.cpf.ca

Canadian Parents for French {Ontario) supports best practices in French Second Language {FSL) program delivery.

Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) is a network of close to 7,000 parents across the province. We collaborate with the Ministry of Education to support parents and student achievement in French as a Second Language (FSL) Education and we have two standing seats at the Ministry's Provincial Working Group on French as a Second Language .

We understand the challenges that school boards face when confronted with budgetary

constraints . Our organization has recently voiced its concern to the Honourable liz Sandals, the Minister of Education at the t ime, that an emphasis on reducing custodial costs, while good fiscal management, cannot be implemented at the expense of quality education or indeed providing the basics such as a dedicated classroom.

The Peel District School Board's decision to move all elementary Core French programs to programs on carts, effective September 2016, does not support best practices in quality program delivery and stands to compromise student achievement. Closing dedicated Core French classrooms may reduce custodial and energy costs and may provide an opportunity to lease space to the community at large but it compromises the quality of FSL education and will

be demotivating to FSL teachers.

The Ministry of Education's guiding policy document, Framework for French as a Second

Language in Ontario schools. has identified as one of its goals to increase retention in FSL programs to Grade 12. The Peel District School Board can play an important role in helping to achieve this goal by demonstrating that it values Core French and the opportunity for all

students in this mandated program to succeed.

PROMOTING AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG CANADIANS TO LEARN AND USE FRENCH

Research has been conducted on the challenges teachers face in trying to effectively deliver Core French including a report by the Ontario Public School Boards' Association. In fact, the Ministry of Education commissioned a literature review by Drs. Lapkin, Maddie and Arnott .

One challenge that stood out repeatedly in studies is that "the lack of classrooms inferred that little value was placed on both the Core French program and the teacher delivering it. Teachers stated that if they were valued by the school, they would have a classroom in which to create a

language rich learning environment." Teaching and Learning FSL: Core French in the Elementary Schools in Ontario, Prof Mollica, Brock University and Ontario Modern Language Teachers' Association, p. 20.)

We recommend that the Peel District School Board rescind its decision and provide dedicated Core French classrooms in all elementary schools effective September 2016. We also encourage the Peel District School Board to provide an opportunity for its established French Second Language Advisory Committee to weigh in on such important decisions as this in a timely fashion.

Sincerely,

Betty Gormley Executive Director

c.c. Mary Cruden, President, Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) Candy Weekes, President, CPF Brampton East Chapter Shirley Tisdale, President, CPF Caledon Chapter Humaira Khan, President, CPF Mississauga West Chapter

I 2

.I

Regular Meeting of the Board September 13, 2016

Sept. 12,2016

Junior Elementary Music Makers

Dear Junior Elementary Music Makers Executive:

6.6

Peel District • School Board '-"'

5650 Hurontarlo Street MISS>Ssauga ON. Canada LSR 1CG t 90 5 8901010 1800.668 1146 f 905 890 6747 www.pcolschools org

Thank you for writing to us to share the concerns the executive of Junior Elementary Music Makers (JEMMS) has regarding the decision to close excess classroom space to align with provincial funding for operational purposes and how this affects the location of music programs in the Peel District School Board during the 2016-17 school year and beyond. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

As you know, provincial budget reductions have impacted the Peel board's provision of custodial services, reducing the number of classrooms that are supported by custodial staff. Because of this, empty classrooms, for which custodial services are no longer being funded, must now be closed in order to ensure adequate service to other fully funded spaces in the school and the board . Unfortunately, at the current time, the Ministry of Education's funding to the Peel board has been reduced and does not provide funding for spaces in the school for subjects such as vocal music. While this in no way means that the Peel board values music instruction any less than other subject areas, we are nonetheless faced with the realities of this funding formula and must take measures to ensure that services are delivered in a fiscally responsible manner. This means that some teachers who may have previously had access to dedicated music rooms for vocal music no longer do. This is an unfortunate impact of budget constraints.

Like you, we understand and appreciate the benefits of a vibrant vocal music program in our schools. We do not, however, believe that dedicated classrooms for vocal music programs are required to deliver high quality instruction and learning opportunities for students. In some of our schools, vocal music has been taught for many years without dedicated music classrooms. Because of limited classroom space, vocal music teachers move from classroom to classroom and deliver instruction in students' home rooms. In these cases, students have been able to achieve personal excellence in music and have consistently met curriculum expectations. Families, students and staff at these schools have not expressed any concerns about the quality of music instruction to the Peel board. This is true not only in Peel, but in many boards across the province where music is taught on carts as a result of accommodation pressures or budget reductions.

It is important to note that elementary instrumental music programs (kindergarten to grade 8), which clearly make use of musical instruments (beyond small, handheld instruments, such as recorders), will remain in place in dedicated classrooms within school buildings. After Re­organization Day on Sept. 27, 2016, only vocal music programs currently located in dedicated classroom spaces will move to programs "on carts" in all elementary schools . Every effort will be made to ensure that instruments and all other curriculum resources travel safely and as efficiently as possible with teachers .

.. .2

-2-

Because of the timing of budget discussions and decisions last school year, we were unable to provide staff with more advance notice. There was never any intention to hide behind the decision or to delay communication to staff.

We are open to input from staff, students, parents and JEMMS on the possible future implementation of dedicated music classrooms, but will not be reversing our current position for the 2016-17 school year. We have every confidence that our staff will continue to deliver a strong music program moving forward, as they always have.

Thank you again for contacting us to share your concerns on behalf of Peel board staff, students and families. We remain committed to the delivery of a high quality music program in Peel.

Yours sincerely,

Janet McDougald Tony Pontes Chair, Peel District School Board Director of Education

c. Peel District School Board Trustees Senior Administration, Peel District School Board Steve Denommee, President, Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, Peel Local Hubert Brard, Instructional Coordinator - Arts

Trustees Janet McDougald, Chair Suzanne Nurse, Vice-Chair Carrie Andrews Stan Cameron Robert Crocker Nokha Dakroub

Da~1d Green Sue Lawton Brad MacDonald Kathy McDonald Rick Williams Harkirat Smgh

Director of Education and Secretary Tony Pontes

Associate Director, Instructional Support Service& Scon Moreash

Associate Director, Operational Support Services Jaspal Gtll

'·

, •

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 20 16

Dear Mr. Pontes and Ms. McDougald,

We are the JEMMS Executive (Junior Elementary Music Makers). We are a grassroots organization with the aim to network, provide professional development and support elementary music teachers in the Peel District School Board. We are writing on behalf of our many colleagues who are facing music room closures across the board. Why? Because as music educators, we believe in Peel's Mission Statement and strive to "help our students reach high levels of achievement preparing them for a successful future as lifelong learners." We know that "Education in the arts is essential to students' intellectual, social, physical and emotional growth and well-being," just as the Ontario Arts Curriculum states.

We have serious concerns about how music room closures will affect the high-quality music programs that are currently being delivered all across this board- programs that greatly benefit our students. We are sure you are aware that there is a plethora of studies that prove the benefits of music education to student learning and success. We are concerned about the ramifications of closing rooms when there is space available. Why would PDSB deny students the opportunity to fully engage as musicians in a dedicated, available room that allows for inquiry and exploration using the tools and equipment of a musician? To quote the arts curriculum document:

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN THE CURRICULUM Since arts experiences offer other modes and ways of experiencing and learning, children will have opportunities to think and feel as they explore, problem solve,

express, interpret, and evaluate the process and the results. To watch a child completely engaged in an arts experience is to recognize that the brain is on, driven

by the aesthetic and emotional imperative to make meaning, to say something, to represent what matters. (The Arts Go to School, David Booth and Masayuki Hachiya, eds.

Markham, Ontario: Pembroke Publishers, 2004, p.15)

Elementary music, though called vocal music, is far more than just singing. But it is just not practical to move all of the materials (i.e. xylophones, metallophones, drums, bass bars, boomwhackers, non-pitched percussion, guitar, piano, COs, teacher's guides and technology) for up to six grade levels to a new location as frequently as every 20 minutes. There has been a great investment in physical resources in many music rooms, not only through Board budgeting, but also through the generous contributions of School Councils over many years. We can only imagine how disappointed students and their families will be should these costly items go into storage, considering that they cannot be transported safely on a cart.

Music programs create community engagement. (Anyone who has tried to park near a school on concert night can tell you that!) They promote school climate, inclusion and equity, reflecting the vision and values of the Peel Board as well as the unique personality of each school.

(cont'd .... )

Mr. Pontes and Ms. McDougald (cont'd.)

When, in tum, students and their families feel welcome and included, when we offer them a place to belong and a place that "inspires hope," then we help to foster retention- among students generally and among students who continue to sing in choir or play in band throughout their Peel schools career.

Ironically, the music rooms being closed are not empty; in fact, they are quite possibly the highest-traffic rooms in the Peel District School Board. They don'tjust service the school's enrolment during class time. You'll find lunches, recesses and before/after-school times packed with ensembles and students of all ages. Once schools have closed and locked music rooms, where will these students find a safe, supported space to develop their musical talent and grow as individuals?

!fit is Peel's vision to "openly communicate as we welcome the involvement of all parents, staff and students in the diverse communities we serve," then surely you can understand the disappointment of music teachers who were told at the end of the school year- many on the very last day of school- that they would lose their music rooms at reorganization. While we understand that there are budgetary issues involved, many of us feel let down by a Board that prides itself on respect, transparency and communication. In this case, we feel, there has been no shared process with stakeholders, no written rationale to clearly explain the decision to close classrooms, no explanation of the expected financial outcomes of this initiative.

But we continue to believe in the power of our strong, inclusive school board- making decisions based on what is right for students. The Peel Mission Statement promises to "offer all students a range of learning programs to help them discover their passions and potential." We would be happy to meet with you to explore solutions so that our musical learners can grow to their full potential, making use of the space available in our schools. We value student success.

We anxiously await your response.

Sincerely,

JEMMS Executive

Jennifer Luxmore-Begin, Marilyn Lee, Marion Roy, Heidi Ross, Shelley LeSarge, Catherine Allegretti-Costa, Angela Reichenbach, Barbara Cogan

Cc. Trustees: Carrie Andrews, Stan Cameron, Robert Crocker, Nouka Dakroub, David Green, Sue Lawton, Brad MacDonald, Kathy McDonald, Suzanne Nurse, Harkirat Singh, Rick Williams, Omar Baboolal, Ranbir Singh Mangat Instructional Co-ordinator Arts Education: Hubert Brard PETL President: Steve Denommee

Peel District School Board 8.1 Regular Meeting of the Board September 13, 2016

Response to Delegation regarding the 2017 Pilot of the Citizenship Apprenticeship Program, Immigration and Poverty

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the response be received.

Background:

At the Regular Meeting of the Board held on August 31, 2016, Catherine Soplet delegated the Board regarding the 2017 Pilot of the Citizenship Apprenticeship Program, Immigration and Poverty. The attached letter will be sent in response to the delegation.

Submitted by:

Janet McDougald Chair

Trustees

September 12, 2016

Catherine Soplet 1550 Springwell Avenue Mississauga, Ontario L5J 3H6

Dear Catherine Soplet:

Peel District • School Board ~

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

I am writing to acknowledge your delegation at the Regular Meeting of the Board on August 31 , 2016 regarding the 2017 Pilot of the Citizenship Apprenticeship Program, Immigration and Poverty.

I understand that you and Director Pontes have had a discussion regarding your requests, the board's support and its focus.

As such, and as indicated by Director Pontes, the Board is able to confirm the following:

1. The board has previously indicated its support in principle for a Citizen Apprenticeship pilot and can support this with some communication connected to Canada's 15Q1h

birthday in 2017. Director Pontes also confirmed that he would seek a principal representative on the organizing committee.

2. The board did send out a Twitter message on September 8th to recognize the 50th anniversary of International Literacy Day.

3. The board will develop a communication to recognize October 171h as the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty that is aligned and supportive of our board's United Way Campaign.

4. As Director Pontes indicated to you, the board is unable to support your two requests to make submissions to the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and to the Federal Study Committee on Human Resources as these requests fall outside the mandate and focus of the board.

I appreciate that you and Director Pontes had a good conversation about the board's mandate as it concerns future requests for support that fall outside of that mandate. Certainly the board is happy to receive copies of letters you write to other organizations where the board can be tangentially supportive.

On behalf of the Board, thank you for your commitment to student success.

Sincerely,

Janet McDougald Chair

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 Director, Instructional Support Services Scott Moreash

Associate Director, Operational Support Services Jaspal Gill

Stan Cameron Robert Crocker Nokha Dakroub

ISO 9001 CERTlFIED · CUSTODIAL SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES ·-­-­'-="'Ctllla

PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 12.1 Regular Meeting of the Board September 13, 2016

OPSBA Fast Report Changes

Recommendation

It is recommended that this information be received.

Background

OPSBA has changed the way they are communicating with Boards. Previously the Board Agenda would have included a lengthy report of current information items provided by OPSBA. They will now only be sending an electronic a-newsletter which is called OPSBA Connects. In the Board package this item will now consist of a short summary or wrap-up of the previous week's articles. Each individual topic can be accessed electronically on the OPSBA website at www.opsba.org.

Submitted by: Tony Pontes, Director

C<O.nnects September 9, 2016

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Welcome to the first edition of our new e-newsletter OPSBA Connects, replacing our Fast Reports publication. OPSBA Connects articles are now published as they are available in a new blog-style format, instead of once per week, giving you the Ontario education sector news you need as soon as possible!

Nearly every Monday during the school year, we will be providing you with this wrap-up of the previous week's articles, in the same format you have come to expect from Fast Reports.

Thanks for reading!

2016 EQAO Provincial Assessment Results

EQAO releases 2016 provincial OSSLT results

TVO launches game-based online math resource

Ministry of Education Update

Legislative Update

Ontario Newsroom

Health & Safety Training from the Public Services Health & Safety Association

Morning Recess Webinar Series, Miller Thomson LLP

to view go to http:U www.opsba.org/OPSBA%20Connects%202/ default.aspx