Board News

Grand Erie Families,

With warmer days and the school year entering its final stretch, it's a time filled with celebration, reflection, and continued learning. As plans for the summer take shape, the Ontario Ministry of Education has approved our 2025-26 School Year Calendars. All families should receive a printed copy of the calendar.

Whether it’s reach-ahead credits for Grade 7 and 8 students or eLearning courses for secondary students, students can now register and participate in summer learning.

On May 22, the Grand Erie Parent Involvement Committee and Indigenous Education Advisory Committee host Darren Thomas, Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Initiatives at Wilfrid Laurier University,  to share how education needs to transform practices to implement the 94 Calls to Action.

As you know, AI is everywhere and here to stay. There are endless opportunities to support academics and operations. To support this, we have launched a policy and procedure, along with guidelines for the safe, effective and responsible use of AI. Please read how Grand Erie is preparing for the future with AI.

We shared a mid-term update on Grand Erie’s Annual Learning and Operating Plan and highlighted some successes with videos: The Hub Program, Innovation Hub, Math Learning and Dual Credits.

This month, I'd like to recognize a few staff, students and events:

• Kaejaun Samuel-Bascoe, a Grade 6 student at J.L. Mitchener, and bus driver Sara McMillen as Lead Learn Inspire Award recipients for April.
• Yashveer Kayal, a Grade 6 student at Agnes G Hodge Public School, ranked 1 of 10,447 in the world at the Grade 5/6 level for the Caribou Mathematics Contest.
• Brantford Bulldogs-themed Lessons 'Bring Community into the Classroom' for Kindergarteners
• We officially opened the Waterford Public School intermediate campus for Grade 7 and 8 students.
• James Hillier Public School celebrated 75 years; three sets of twins from the same family attended.
• Secondary schools participated in a first-of-its-kind Women in Leadership event at the Centre for Excellence: Teaching, Learning and Belonging. Students had the opportunity to engage with female leaders on leadership and career pathways.
• The Secondary Skills Competition at Cayuga Secondary School showcased exceptional talent in transportation, welding, woodworking, hairstyling, aesthetics, design and build, 2D and 3D modelling, and graphic design. We are excited to see how this competition continues to grow and highlight that Tech is Grand!
• On May 9, the 3rd Annual Wellness Out Loud event brought together more than 200 student and staff wellness ambassadors.
• Through the United Indigenous Student Council (UISC), students had the opportunity to experience culturally authentic leadership development opportunities and experiences to become agents of change within their schools. Each Secondary school’s Indigenous Student Association participated in UISC, culminating in a year-end celebration at the Thunderbird Festival at Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School.
• The 3rd Annual General Meeting for the Six Nations Advisory Committee allowed Six Nations families and stakeholders to receive updates, share perspectives, and engage in meaningful discussions about education.

You can also find this month's Family Math Newsletter, which includes resources, tips and practice math equations to support mathematics learning at home for all grade levels.

Recently, School Mental Health Ontario announced a free expert-led webinar series designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics related to substance use and addictive behaviours.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to a strong finish for the 2024-25 school year!

Dr. JoAnna Roberto, Ph.D
Director of Education and Secretary of the Board
Grand Erie District School Board