Young Canada Day 2016, Norfolk County Fair

Update (June 20, 2016): Trustees passed a motion that reads, as follows:

• THAT All Norfolk schools are closed; transportation to Norfolk schools is cancelled. Students are allowed to attend the Fair. Elementary and secondary educational staff are expected to attend the Fair to provide supervision.

Grand Erie District School Board values and respects the importance of community fairs as they provide educational opportunities of engagement for our students. Grand Erie is creating the conditions for kids to safely and responsibly participate in the fair.

A report to the Board of Trustees is now available online and will be discussed at the Monday, June 20, 2016 Board Meeting. The report lists a number of options including the recommended action proposed by Senior Administration.

Background:

Young Canada Day has been a feature of the Norfolk County Fair since 1927. On the school year calendar of the former Norfolk Board of Education, this day was a non-instructional day; schools were closed, with the expectation that students and staff (except custodians) would attend the Fair.

With amalgamation of the Norfolk Board into the Grand Erie District School Board, attendance of Norfolk County students at the Fair became problematic, since students from Brant and Haldimand Counties did not attend this event, but followed the same school year calendar.

Executive Council was tasked with reviewing participation in Young Canada Day (YCD) including the model of supervision.