Randy Wagler, TrusteeTed Doherty, Director of

Education

An Avon Maitland Update

Today in Avon Maitland

1.Our District by the Numbers

2.Strategic Directions 2016

3.Engaging, Inspiring, and Innovating

4.Accommodation Transitions

5.Full-Day Kindergarten

6.Looking Ahead

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• 15,191 students

• 9,274 Elementary

• 5,917 Secondary

• 34 Elementary Schools

• 6 Grade 7/8 campuses in High Schools

• 9 Secondary Schools (1 e-learning)

• Over 2,700 full and part-time staff

• 2012-2013 Operating Budget: $194M

Our District by the Numbers

Strategic Plan 2012-2016

Our Schools•International

Education•Inclusion •Full Day Kindergarten•Accommodation

Review•Enrolment Trends

• Avon Maitland becoming a destination of choice for international students

• Helps our students become global citizens• Contributes to local economic growth• 100 international students equals over $2

million local economic activity

Engaging, Inspiring and Innovating

International

Education

Engaging, Inspiring and InnovatingSetting the World Record

176 students from Central Huron Secondary School were able to secure their names in the Guinness World Record Book for participating in the Largest Practical Science Lesson.Registration Open for 2013 Science FairThe Sci-Tech Encounters Senior Science Fair for students in grades 7-12 will take place April 3, 2013 and registration is now open.

Short Film Festival WinnerGrade 11 student Kenny Edwards was the recipient of multiple awards at the 2nd Annual Wasaga Beach Short Film Festival.

AMDSB Launches SWAUAMDSB and University of Waterloo Stratford Campus Launch New Provincial SWAU - School within a UniversityMeet the Incredibles at EESMany elementary schools across the Avon Maitland District were involved in the MetoWe Penny Drive this fall and all made outstanding contributions to the drive.Kassie Makes a Difference at Holmesville Public SchoolEveryone knows that there are amazing students in all Avon Maitland Schools, but every once in a while there is one student who displays an act of kindness, thoughtfulness and compassion that really stands out.

Engaging, Inspiring and Innovating

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September 2012:•All grade 7- 8 students at South Huron

DHS•Bluewater Coast Elementary School

launched with JK-6 students from Hensall and Zurich Public Schools

•Exeter Elementary School launched with JK-6 students from Exeter and Usborne Central Public Schools

•Huron Park students formerly of Exeter Public School now at Stephen Central Public School

•School Councils invited to provide input into transitions

Accommodation Transitions

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•Students are thriving in new surroundings

•Grade 7-8 academics especially valued with access to specialized facilities

•“Couldn’t tell where students were from after the first week”

•Good opportunities for visits to school, interactions between parents, School Council played important role in the transition

•Staffing to ease the transition for students

•Grade 6 students stepping into leadership roles

Accommodation Transitions

Has it worked?

• Busing challenges (many new students who have not ridden before, behaviour issues, new routes) especially early in the school year

• Grade 7&8 parents don’t feel as connected

• Some transition items still ongoing (e.g. memborabilia)

• Timely response to questions during transition process – parents didn’t feel listened to as a result

• Better understanding of the Accommodation Review process and Transition process beforehand

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Is there room for improvement?

Accommodation Transitions

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•“First rider” program for all new riding students (i.e. Grade 6 students)

•Respond to questions in a more timely manner, or indicate when the answers would be available

•Get parents together before transition starts for relationship building

•Better communication around busing routes, especially for families with children who have not taken the school bus before.

Suggestions for other transitions

Accommodation Transitions

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•49% of Avon Maitland kindergarten classes are full day

•Involves play-based learning encouraging creativity, collaboration, communication and problem solving

•2012-2013: Bluewater Coast ES (since 2011)

•2013-2014: Exeter ES, Huron Centennial, Stephen Central

Full Day Kindergarten

Looking Ahead

•The future is bright for Avon Maitland Students

•Major technological shift underway in the classrooms

•Declining enrollment beginning to slow, already stable in our elementary schools

•More international students attending our schools

•Graduation and student success rates on the rise

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Thank you for your time…

Questions?