Student guide – Make your voice count!

#PeelStudentVoice

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

By February 24 Online nomination form and consent forms due

March 5 at 5 p.m. Mandatory meeting for all potential candidates at the board office

March 23 Campaign videos posted on peelschools.org and Peel board’s YouTube page

March 23 – April 17 Election campaign period

April 21 or 22 Voting in schools

April 29 at 7:30 p.m. Student trustees presented to the Board (Successful candidates

will be invited to attend)

Where can I get more information?

More information on running for student trustee elections is available at www.peelschools.org/studenttrustees or visit the online nomination form at www.pdsb.me/strustee2020.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

STUDENT TRUSTEE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1

I’M INTERESTED - WHAT DO I DO NEXT? 2

GUIDELINES FOR USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO CAMPAIGN 6

PERSONAL CAMPAIGN VISITS AND POSTERS 7

VOTING IN SCHOOLS 8

LIST OF SCHOOLS NORTH AND SOUTH OF 401 9

FAQS 10

Questions? Connect with us! We’re here to support you.

Judith Beriault, School Support Officer

judith.beriault@peelsb.com, 905-890-1010 ext. 2627

Audrey Crasto, School Communications Assistant

audrey.crasto@peelsb.com, 905-890-1010 ext. 3360

Student trustees serve an important role for the Peel District School Board. They represent the voice of students in decisions about education in Peel, and they help keep students informed about important decisions that affect them. Being a student trustee for the Peel District School Board is a great

opportunity – and a big commitment. Each school year, the Peel board selects two student trustees—one representing schools north of Highway 401 and one representing schools south of Highway 401.

Student trustee roles and responsibilities

The main duties for a student trustee include:

• attending all public board meetings and standing committee meetings, equaling to approximately one meeting a week to attend. Regular board meetings are typically held the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

• representing students’ views in discussions about education issues.

• meeting with student leadership groups, including Peel Students' President's Council (PSPC).

• communicating regularly with students about the activities of the school

board and gathering student input about upcoming issues facing the board (it’s up to the student trustees to decide on the best methods).

Your election campaign may address how you plan to fulfill these responsibilities.

Student trustees are expected to set up ways to communicate regularly with students about the activities of the school board and to gather student input about upcoming issues facing the board. It’s up to the student trustees to decide how best to keep in touch with students. Because of the time commitment, we don’t recommend that a student trustee hold any other elected positions. Student trustees must adhere to Policy 66 Student Trustees.

Student trustees are responsible for providing their own transportation to the board meetings and other meetings they would need to attend. Student trustees receive an honorarium of $2,500 and are provided with $1,500 to be used for conferences and training. They are also reimbursed for expenses they incur in their role as student trustee. These expenses would include transportation costs. All expenses must be

approved by the chair of the board.

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I’m interested - what do I do next?

To run for election as a candidate for student trustee, you must: • be a full-time Peel board secondary school student, or a part-time

student with an IEP • be 16 years or older by Dec. 31, 2020 • have parental consent, if you’re younger than 18 • have strong academic standing, and leadership and communication skills

Step 1: Speak with your school admin

If you’re interested in participating in the 2020-21 student trustees election, please contact your

school administrator. They will share with you more information pertaining to the election process

and campaign.

Step 2: Provide a picture As part of your nomination package, you will have to submit a portrait picture that will be used on the Student Trustees election poster, the Peel board’s social media accounts, board website and for internal use.

Below are the requirements for when you submit your picture: • must be in colour. • show a clear, front view of your full face. You must be dressed appropriately for the role of

trustee. • your photo must be a clear image of ONLY you (not blurry, grainy, or fuzzy)

against a background that isn’t distracting. • photo should be in a landscape format. • the image file must be submitted as a JPG/JPEG file-type. • selfies or pictures that are cut out of group photos will not be accepted. • photos should not be edited; do not use filters.

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Step 3: Create a video Your campaign video is an opportunity for you to showcase your campaign platform and communicate with all students about the commitments that are important to you as a student trustee candidate.

This video will be displayed on the Peel District School Board’s social media channels, including but not limited to, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The video will also be posted on www.peelschools.org and schools may show the videos at their schools, leading up to the election period.

Below are the requirements for your video:

Length Must be a maximum of 3 minutes.

What to include Your video should share your commitments and highlight your campaign platform. Ensure that your video includes your name and a mention of whether you’re running for “North of the 401” or “South of the 401”.

Format The format is up to you! Remember that the way you present your ideas is important. So consider the location background that you will be filmed against, attire, whether you want to be seen holding a script or not and the tone you wish to establish. All of these factors will influence the way students who don’t know you will hear the messages you are sharing.

Resolution Try to provide your video in the highest resolution available to provide the maximum degree of flexibility in the encoding and playback processes.

Audio Please ensure there is minimal background noise and your audio is clear.

Consent requirements You must have a parent/guardian consent for every individual who appears in your video. Each individual in your video will need to complete the consent form.

Submission format Please submit the video in mp4 format. PowerPoint, Google Slides or Prezi presentations will not be accepted.

Need assistance?

Candidates have the option to have their campaign message filmed by a Peel board media support specialist. In this case, the video will be simple and will be edited only to ensure it flows and to add a title. If you are interested in this option, contact Audrey Crasto at audrey.crasto@peelsb.com.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE ABOUT YOUR VIDEO: • DO NOT include your personal contact information in the video such as your phone number. • DO NOT use language that is offensive, nor should your clothing or the background (e.g. posters) be

inappropriate in any way. Guidelines from your school’s Code of Conduct regarding the appropriate use of language and other behavioural expectations will also apply to the production of your video.

• DO NOT include current student trustees of the board or any members of the community who may have influence in your videos to endorse your election.

• All the videos will be screened for appropriateness. Your video WILL NOT be posted if it does not meet these expectations and may exclude you from the campaign. Please note that you cannot post or share your video until your application has been approved by the Peel District School Board and the campaign period begins.

Step 4: Complete the online nomination form

In order to run for student trustee, you must complete the online form available at www.pdsb.me/strustee2020. You will be required to attach your video, picture, cover letter and resume in your online nomination form.

Step 5: Provide the consent forms to your school admin rep by Feb. 24, 2020

In order to run for student trustee, you must complete the online nomination form and submit the following to your staff representative before the end of the school day on Feb.24, 2020:

• the completed consent form, signed by yourself, parent/guardian (if you are under the age of

18), and by a school administrator. • the completed consent with signature(s) from parent/guardian(s) for EACH

individual who will appear in your campaign video. Please photocopy the sheet if you have more than one individual in your video.

Please note that your online application will not be considered if you do not provide the consent forms listed above.

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What’s next?

IMPORTANT: Mandatory meeting for all potential candidates Once your application has been submitted, all candidates are required to attend a mandatory meeting at the board office on March 5 at 5 p.m. The meeting will outline rules and guidelines to running a successful election campaign. Please note that it is important that you attend this meeting as it is an opportunity for you learn more about the elections and ask questions. Applicants who do not attend will not be included in the campaign. Following the meeting, all potential candidates will be required to sign a commitment agreement. Please note – applicants who have not signed the commitment will not be included in the campaign. A scanned copy of the signed agreement will be sent back to the candidate by email. On March 6, you will receive a confirmation email, which will outline whether their applications have been approved and if you will be considered a candidate for the 2020-21 student trustees election.

The election campaign will be from March 23 to April 17, 2020 inclusive. You can campaign in person and on social media ONLY DURING the ELECTION CAMPAIGN TIME PERIOD. Voting at schools will take place on April 21 or 22. Failure to comply to these policies and procedures will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of your candidacy.

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Guidelines for using social media to campaign

Campaigning is to be done using social media and your election campaign must adhere to all social

media guidelines. Twitter, Instagram and Facebook are the only acceptable social media sites that

you can use to campaign. Candidates must NOT use email, DM’s, and any other social media sites

including SnapChat to campaign.

You can actively campaign online by using only the social media accounts that were listed on your online application form. The use of any social media accounts that were not provided at the time of the application may result in the candidate being disqualified. Candidates are recommended to use the #PeelStudentVoice hashtag on social media to promote your campaign and engage online. All candidates are also required to follow the @Peelschools account as staff will be monitoring your election campaign. If you notice any election campaigns promoted before or after the campaign period or on other sites, please contact Audrey Crasto, School Communications Assistant, immediately via email audrey.crasto@peelsb.com or phone, 905-890-1010 ext. 3360.

Digital citizenship

All students must adhere to Policy 78 Digital Citizenship when using social media as an election tool and demonstrate digital citizenship through the appropriate use of technology, as outlined in schools’ codes of conduct. Students must demonstrate appropriate, lawful, responsible and ethical online conduct and manners which refrain from improper/unethical use of technology, including cyber-bullying.

The student campaigns should reflect the board’s underlying values to be: • Caring – showing compassion and kindness towards others • Cooperative – working collaboratively with others for a common purpose • Honest – being truthful, trustworthy and sincere in our speech and actions • Inclusive – treating everyone fairly and equitably • Respectful – treating others, ourselves and the environment with high regard and value • Responsible – being accountable and reliable in our actions and commitments

Candidates are to focus their campaigns on positive statements of principle and descriptions of past experience and future intent, and refrain from negative or personal remarks about other candidates. Peel board staff will periodically monitor all candidates social media activity to ensure students are following proper online conduct.

It is expected that candidates and their supporters will not remove, deface, interfere with, or

unreasonably inhibit from viewing other candidates’ campaign materials or messages, including social

media.

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Personal campaign visits and posters

Candidates are NOT allowed to visit other schools to campaign in-person, unless you are attending a pre-arranged campaign event of all candidates, organized by the school.

If you’re interested in visiting a school, please contact the school principal to inquire if they’re interested in hosting an event for ALL CANDIDATES. If the request is approved by the school principal, ALL candidates will be invited to attend. Once the date for the ALL candidates meeting has been determined, connect with the school principal regarding the meeting or presentation format. Be

prepared for the meeting, have all your talking points or visuals ready and practice!

Posters

A poster featuring all candidates in your region (North/South of 401) will be distributed to all secondary schools (ten copies per school).

Personal campaign posters are the candidate’s responsibility and you may choose to distribute your own campaign posters within your region (maximum of two posters per school). Please note, before you distribute campaign materials inside or outside of any school property, you MUST receive the expressed permission of the principal of that school. At the principal’s discretion, the principal may grant permission to a maximum of two posters from each candidate.

If you are interested in distributing any other types of campaign materials, please contact

Audrey Crasto for approval, via email audrey.crasto@peelsb.com or phone, 905-890-1010 ext. 3360.

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Voting in schools - April 21 or 22

Voting will be held at each school on April 21 or 22. The winning trustee for each region will have secured the highest number of first-place finishes at schools in their region.

If you are elected, you will be notified through your school and you will be invited to attend the Regular Meeting of the Board at 7:30 p.m. on April 29, 2020 to meet your fellow student trustee and be introduced to the Board of Trustees as the incoming student trustees. The meeting will be held at the board office, located at 5650 Hurontario St. in Mississauga.

For more information, visit www.peelschools.org/studenttrustees.

This is a time for you to show all the leadership skills you have to offer! Don’t be afraid to be creative

and versatile. Be bold, have fun and be YOU!

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List of schools North and South of 401

NORTH SCHOOLS SOUTH SCHOOLS Bramalea Applewood Heights

Brampton Centennial Cawthra Park

Castlebrooke Clarkson

Central Peel Erindale

Chinguacousy Glenforest

David Suzuki John Fraser

Fletcher’s Meadow Lorne Park

Harold M. Brathwaite Meadowvale

Heart Lake Port Credit

Humberview Rick Hansen

Jean Augustine Stephen Lewis

Judith Nyman Streetsville

Lincoln M. Alexander T.L. Kennedy

Louise Arbour West Credit

Mayfield The Woodlands

Mississauga

North Park

Sandalwood Heights

Turner Fenton

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FAQs

What happens if I can’t complete the term of office?

The first runner-up in each district council election will be the alternate student trustee for that district. If the student trustee leaves office before the end of the term, the alternate would complete the term.

The board can disqualify a student trustee from service for any of the following reasons: • no longer a student of the Peel board • absence from three consecutive board meetings without the permission of the board • conviction of an indictable offense • suspension from school for a serious violation of the behaviour code

What assistance is available to student trustees?

Each student trustee will have a trustee mentor. This mentor will be an experienced trustee appointed by the board to serve as an advisor to the student trustee. The mentor can explain board policies and procedures and answer your questions.

Some administrative support will be available to the student trustees through the Peel board’s: • Director’s Office • Trustees Office • Leadership Development and School Support Services • Communications and Community Relations Support Services

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Parental consent for students who appear in Student Trustee campaign videos

(required if the student is under 18 years of age)

The student trustee elections campaign period in Peel District School Board secondary schools will be held between March 23 to April 17, 2020. Student trustees serve an important role for the Peel board. They represent the voice of students in decisions about education in Peel, and they help keep students informed about important decisions that affect them. The Peel board has two student trustees—one representing schools north of Highway 401 and one representing schools south of Highway 401.

A student at your teen’s school, is running for student trustee. Your teen would like to appear in their campaign video. The video will be posted on www.peelschools.org and on YouTube until the end of the campaign on April 17, 2020. If you are comfortable with your teen appearing in the video, please fill out and sign the attached permission form.

If you have any questions, please call me at 905-890-1010 ext. 2627.

Sincerely,

Judith Beriault School Support Officer

I hereby consent for my teen to appear in the Student Trustee campaign video of:

(insert name of student trustee candidate)

I understand that as part of the campaign, the video will be posted on YouTube and www.peelschools.org. I realize that the video will be removed following the campaign.

I am the parent guardian of

and consent to this authorization and release. Parent/Guardian signature

Signed this day of , 2020

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2020-21 student trustee elections Make your voice count

Interested candidates must submit an online application available at www.pdsb.me/strustee2020 in addition to submitting this form.

Student’s full name

School

I wish to declare my candidacy for the position of student trustee for the Peel District School Board. I understand the role and responsibilities of a student trustee as described in Peel board Policy #66.

Candidate’s signature Date

Parent/guardian consent (required if candidate is less than 18 years of age)

I am the parent/guardian of and consent to the candidacy for the role of student trustee. I understand that as part of the campaign, my teen will:

submit a campaign video that will be posted on YouTube, www.peelschools.org and shared with schools. I realize that the video will be removed following the campaign.

submit a picture that will be posted on www.peelschools.org and on the election poster distributed board-wide.

Parent/guardian signature Parent/guardian name Date

Certification of eligibility (signed by school official)

I acknowledge that this student meets the eligibility criteria and can run for election as a student trustee candidate.

School official’s signature School official name Date

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Notes: