Feature Stories - 2017-18
“The best life lesson this work has taught me is the realization that the smallest of successes can actually be huge – monumental, even,” says Jeanette Duffield, Learning Resource Teacher based at Waterford Public School. “This is what inspires me every day.”
As part of Grand Erie District School Board’s 2018-19 Budget Consultation Process, we are inviting stakeholders to provide input into the development of the budget.
Registration is underway for summer school courses provided through Grand Erie District School Board this July for students in Grades 6-12 looking to earn a full credit, change to a different pathway, repeat an unsuccessful course or improve marks.
The gymnasium at North Park Collegiate and Vocational School was the site of a very different kind of competition recently. Instead of shooting hoops or setting up volleyball spikes, students gathered around tables, each with a computer, intent on winning Grand Erie’s first Coding Faire.
This year, Graham Bell-Victoria Public School has been part of a Queen’s University and Ministry of Education initiative to build parent engagement within the school. This is the second year that the school is involved in implementing Ontario’s Renewed Mathematics Strategy, and increasing parent engagement is a key component of that strategy.
Grand Erie District School Board’s Indigenous Education team, in partnership with the Elementary Teachers Federation, is set to celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions and contributions of Indigenous communities during its annual Sharing Our Voices gala at the Sanderson Centre in Brantford, a day before the country marks Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.
Markus Kunej is set to start his studies in Engineering Science at the University of Toronto this fall, and his achievements in secondary school have earned him a Schulich Leader Scholarship worth $100,000.
Grand Erie District School Board approved its 2018-19 operating and capital budgets during last night’s Regular Board meeting. Both budgets will now be submitted to the Ministry of Education.
In a classroom at Thompson Creek Elementary School in Dunnville, a veterinarian specializing in large farm animals is showing students the heartbeat of an in-utero calf on an ultrasound recording. Down the hall, an electrician is demonstrating how to safely strip a wire before students pick up a pair of pliers and try their hand at it.
Staff and students at Glen Morris Central Public School recently enjoyed a whole week of interactive dancing, singing and learning, thanks to two special guests who imparted the wisdom, history and traditions of the Haudenosaunee people.
Grand Erie is ready to welcome a new group of young learners next September.
Students at Walpole North Elementary School are benefiting from the wisdom and storytelling of older adults, while sharing their own learning with seniors at local retirement homes.
The Good Way Club is a new initiative at Lansdowne-Costain Public School, with the goal of fostering pride, leadership, and community among Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
Summer hours are in effect for EarlyON Child and Family Centres offering programming out of specific Grand Erie schools. EarlyON is open to all families to support children up to six years of age, providing professional advice, personal connections, a network of resources, and play- and inquiry-based programs for young children.
Physical activity plays an important role in student achievement and well-being. This year, a number of Grand Erie schools were recognized with Healthy Schools certification through Ophea, a non-profit organization that works in partnership with schools to develop programming in support of health, well-being, and physical fitness
This past year, Valley Heights has embraced experiential learning opportunities, and are reaping the benefits of this outside-the-classroom kind of learning. Experiential learning gives students a chance to explore beyond the walls of the school as they enter workplaces and job sites and gain insights into possible career paths.
Grand Erie was well represented at the Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair last week, with a number of projects winning awards.
Grand Erie District School Board’s new elementary school in Dunnville officially has a name, and both the moniker and the process used to select it, have strong ties to the community.
Over the past year, the team at Central Public School has empowered and engaged a community of like-minded individuals and groups who are partners in the goal of Success For Every Student, and the formation of a neighbourhood association is a big step in that direction.
Grand Erie District School Board is looking to the community for suggestions in naming its new Dunnville elementary school in Haldimand County. The new school, which is currently being built, is slated to welcome its first students this fall.
The tour dates may have been unofficial, but singer-songwriter/rock star Logan Staats – who took home the top prize on CTV’s The Launch where he was mentored by Shania Twain earlier this year – has been making the rounds in Grand Erie.
Held on April 11 at Camp Trillium Rainbow Lakes in Norfolk County, Grand Erie’s annual eco conference focused on providing secondary students with the tools, strategies, and motivation to make an impact.
Princess Elizabeth Public School knows that healthy eating goes a long way in promoting student achievement. A recent event co-hosted by the Brant County Health Unit and the school’s Parent Engagement group aimed to empower the process of packing student lunches.
Welcome to the History Fair, a culmination of the Grade 7 and 8 classes’ studies in the subject this year. Preparation for the daylong event allowed students to explore in-depth the topics that interested them, and then bring them to life for the whole school.
Last month, the winning production at the Ontario Drama Festival’s district competition covering Brant, Oxford, Haldimand and Norfolk counties was the student-written production And She Split the Sky in Two. Next month, the play, which examines the issue of Indigenous teen suicide, will compete in the next level of competition at the regional level.
The website, and school sites, received important updates
Teeterville Public School had the honour of being featured as the cover story in the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s spring newsletter, recognizing the school’s hard work and commitment to healthy living, evidenced by a number of projects and initiatives taking place this year.
Grand Erie is committed to improving student achievement and engagement in all subject areas including mathematics.
It’s not easy being green. But Grand Erie schools are doing their parts to ensure a healthier future for the planet, and this year, 35 schools have received EcoSchools certification.
Walking through the hallways of Elgin Avenue Public School, you may encounter a robot or two.
You’ll also see students hard at work using principles of inquiry and design as they explore coding and programming.
The Strong Start program, a charity which provides early literacy intervention and operates in almost all of Grand Erie’s elementary schools, got a significant boost thanks to a $20,000 donation from the Sifton Family Foundation last week.
There are no idle hands at McKinnon Park Secondary when it comes to equity and inclusiveness. That’s because student-led group Devils for Diversity is working hard to promote a safe, welcoming environment for all students.
As colder weather sets in, a special Lakewood Elementary School donation drive is sure to bring warmth to its surrounding community this winter.
Having a growth mindset means believing in yourself and your ability to achieve. This has been the focus at St. George-German Public School in 2017-18, and recently, junior and intermediate students had a chance to explore what this means by unleashing their creativity during an African drumming workshop.
Grand Erie District School Board is hosting a youth symposium to inspire and equip secondary students with the skills needed to take meaningful action as environmentally responsible citizens.
Students at École Dufferin are adding yoga to their sets of tools to deal with stress, and thanks to a Parent Reaching Out grant, the whole family is learning and benefiting from the mind-body practice.
Parents with children in Junior and Senior Kindergarten are invited to participate in a survey which will collect valuable contextual data about the early experiences of children and families.
October is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario. It provides an important opportunity to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect in an effort to end violence in the lives of children and youth.
Trustees elected Greg Anderson as Chair of Grand Erie District School Board during the annual nomination meeting held on Monday, December 4, 2017. Anderson, who represents the City of Brantford, previously held the position of Vice-Chair, a role into which Trustee Tom Waldschmidt has been elected.
Indigenous student leaders from eight Grand Erie secondary schools came together to start the important work of sharing ideas and setting goals.
A closer look at Grand Erie's Be Well campaign.
“The purpose of our character education assembly was to show students that not everyone needs the exact same resources to be successful and to feel supported."
A bench isn’t usually a remarkable addition to a school playground, but the new Buddy Bench at James Hillier Public School isn’t just another place to sit.
Inspiring new outdoor classroom made possible thanks to fundraising efforts
Prince Charles Public School is going for gold – Healthy Schools gold certification through Ophea, that is, a non-profit organization that works in partnership with schools to develop programming in support of health, well-being, and physical fitness.
The flooding directly affected five Grand Erie schools including Bellview Public School in the heart of Brantford’s Eagle Place neighborhood. All were closed for three days during the state of emergency.
Grand Erie students demonstrated progress in the assessments, with improvements seen in Grade
9 Academic Mathematics – up three per cent from last year – and Junior Mathematics, up one
per cent from 2015-16. Assessment results in Grade 9 Applied Mathematics, Junior Reading and
Primary Reading all remained consistent with last year’s results.
The first week of November is Treaties Recognition Week, an opportunity to provide education on treaty rights, and honour the histories that weren’t always a part of the curriculum.
Just before the winter holidays in December, an epic hockey showdown between teachers and students ensued at a rink in Simcoe, with bragging rights on the line.
Throughout the month of February, Grand Erie schools are honouring Black History Month through events, presentations, and student-led programming as they examine the lessons and legacies – both locally and in a global context, applying what they learn to their lives today.
The event is part of Computer Coding Week, which took place December 4-8, and by focusing on female students only, it hopes to level the playing field in the still male-dominated fields of computer sciences and technology.
On a cold day in late February, a group of Tollgate Technological Skills Centre students participated in Brantford’s annual Chili Willy Cook-Off, and created something greater than just a delicious chili.
What do you do when it’s almost, but not quite, a snow day? That’s a snow-brainer: you take the classroom outside and embrace the season!
Welcome back to school with a focus on student success and recognition.
Tollgate Technological Skills Centre held a tree dedication ceremony as part of the school’s partnership with Tree Canada on November 23rd.
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and at Oakland-Scotland Public School, community partnerships are playing an important role in Success for Every Student.
When staff and students returned to Hagersville Elementary School for the first day of school, a lot of work had gone on behind the scenes to ensure a successful start.
Grade 10 students in Mrs. Thomas’ English class at Dunnville Secondary School took their classroom into the world this month when they participated in the Climate Action project, an international collaboration involving 250 schools from 69 countries.
At Seneca Central Public School, math is everywhere, thanks to a whole-school commitment to supporting student achievement in the subject.
On a Tuesday in February, Cajun and Creole music could be heard throughout the halls of Langton School, as the delicious scent of fresh-baked beignets wafted through the air, and students donned masks they’d decorated with feathers, glitter and plenty of colour.
The Ministry of Education has approved funding that will add licensed child-care spaces to Brantford’s downtown core by December 2018, proposed through a joint submission by the City of Brantford and the Grand Erie District School Board.
The 7th Annual Grand Erie District School Board Professional Student Services Personnel Conference presents Supporting Children and Caregivers Coping with Grief and Loss, with speaker Liana Lowenstein, MSW.
Past and present staff and students, parents, friends and Dunnville community members are invited to bid farewell to two Grand Erie elementary schools slated to close at the end of June before the Board opens its newest school in the community in September.
The welding programs at four Grand Erie secondary schools are receiving equipment upgrades thanks to a significant donation from Stelco Inc. through the CWB Welding Foundation, announced yesterday as part of a cheque presentation.
Math is everywhere, including at the grocery store and in the kitchen pantry. Harnessing that, teachers and students at Branlyn Community School are using everyday scenarios to bring math lessons to life in vivid – and delicious – ways.
Driven by a unique leadership focus each year, this year Ryerson Heights Elementary School declares, “It’s Our Time to Shine,” -- and a food and toy drive in support of The Salvation Army is sure to make the holidays brighter for others as well.
Grand Erie District School Board’s Art Soup workshops aim 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.
PATHS is an evidence-based, social-emotional curriculum that teaches self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, responsible decision making, and relationships skills.
Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School is hosting its third annual Eliminate Draw dinner event on April 13 to fund the purchase of equipment for the state-of-the-art Kiwanis Field.
Grandview Central PS has a lot to be proud of when it comes to the roles staff take on in ensuring that their students are supported in their achievement and learning.
The students at Burford District Elementary School have some new spaces in which to play and learn. These spaces are redefining the traditional classroom to promote community and environmental awareness.
Grade 6 students at Walter Gretzky Elementary brainstorm ways to have global impact amidst news reports of hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires around the world.
Jarvis Public School has come up with an ace way to celebrate the success of its students.
The path after graduating secondary school is often full of twists and turns. Determining next steps and finding the supports necessary to achieve your goals can be a difficult process. It can be especially difficult for Indigenous students who don’t always see themselves reflected in the college and university programs, or sometimes even the careers they aspire to.
With Grand Erie’s Education Week coinciding with Mental Health Week (May 7-11), this year’s Education Week Gala event – which kicked off the week-long celebration on Thursday, May 3 – beautifully merged the spirit of both through a showcase of student talent.
It's the first day of school in Grand Erie, and Success for Every Student is at its centre
Planning for a successful start to the school year begins with a safe arrival!
The school has an inspiring new space that redefines the traditional classroom.
A renovation, a partnership with Conestoga College, and an exciting vision of culinary possibility are the ingredients going into Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School’s recipe for success with its new Hospitality program.
This fall marked the seventh annual Friday Night Lights football game for Delhi District Secondary School, a sporting event which has become must-attend for so many in the Norfolk area, and a highlight on the school’s yearly calendar.
The staff at Echo Place School are volunteering their time to support student nutrition, and helping to set the conditions for a successful day of learning in doing so.
On September 29, Grand Erie wore orange to say, "Every Child Matters."
As Pumpkinfest celebrated its 35th year, the students of Bloomsburg Public School marked the occasion in a unique way, carving the pumpkins that created the festival’s distinctive display.
Taking place in secondary schools in Haldimand, Norfolk, and Brant counties over two days, the annual Art Soup invites students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 to get hands-on in each artistic practice, culminating in a talent showcase at the end of each day.
Delhi Public School is proud to be a certified Gold EcoSchool, and is continuing its efforts to maintain this environmental awareness in its activities throughout the year.
The Ed Tech team is fostering a supportive online community in Grand Erie through scheduled TweetMeets, and the next one takes place soon. These lively discussions take technology and education-related conversations to Twitter, and bring a diverse group of experts into the mix.
Grand Erie’s Proposed Executive Compensation Plan balances the need to manage compensation costs as well as the need to attract and retain the executive talent required by the Board. Provide your input on the proposed plan during the Government of Ontario’s 30-day public consultation period. Deadline for input is December 8, 2017.
The holiday season is approaching, and Grand Erie Learning Alternatives (GELA) is already preparing for a busy season of giving back. On November 29, the school is hosting its annual Free Swap event.
Parent and student information nights for those entering Grade 9 in the fall of 2018 will begin next week at Grand Erie District School Board.
Students and teachers from two Haldimand County schools gathered with Trustees and Grand Erie staff on November 24th at the site of a future Dunnville elementary school, and the shovels in the ground were a symbol of a fresh start to come next fall.
J.L. Mitchener Public School in Cayuga has innovative plans to support its Autism class, and hopes a fundraising dinner and information fair in early April will help realize the goal of an outdoor play area that addresses the unique needs of children with autism.
With the legalization of marijuana set to take effect this summer, parents will likely find the conversation with their children shifting. A timely event hosted by the Grand Erie Parent Involvement Committee aims to provide information, advice and resources to equip parents as they tackle this important topic.
Building on the positive momentum of previous years, Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School will be host to the fourth annual Rainbow Ball, welcoming LGBTQ students and allies from across Grand Erie to the semi-formal dance taking place Thursday, April 26.