GYPSD news
Nov. 6 meeting
Grande Yellowhead Public School Division (GYPSD) trustees ensure that jurisdictional priorities (student learn¬ing, teaching and leadership excellence, and community engagement) in place for students to achieve their educa¬tional goals and meet provincial educational standards. On a regular basis, representatives from Learning Services provide updates to trustees on various student learning initiatives and programs as the board requires account¬ability from administration to ensure that these learning supports are being effective.
Today’s (Nov. 6) meeting included a report on the current literacy strategies in place across the division: staff professional development opportunities, divisional assessments, and literacy support interventions, as well as information on inclusive education supports that are accessible to all GYPSD students.
Other Notes of Interest
Trustees attend educational conferences in order to learn about important issues and new initiatives. Trust¬ee Zaporosky was approved to attend the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Annual Conference from March 30 April 1, 2019, on behalf of the board. Scheduled workshops on advocacy, governance and executive leadership, innovations in district manage-ment, board and superintendent partnerships, student achievement and accountability, and technology solu¬tions are just a few of the transformational sessions on the 2019 NSBA Conference’s agenda.
As part of their financial responsibilities, the board re¬ceived a report from Facility Services about the sched¬uled maintenance and upgrades for GYPSD buildings over the current school year using Infrastructure Mainte¬nance Renewal (I.M.R.) Expenditure funding. IMR fund-ing from the province is provided to school authorities primarily to upgrade building components to meet health and safety standards, replace failed facility components, or meet municipal requirements based on number of students, area, and age of school facilities. GYPSD re¬ceived $1,505,848 in funding for the 2018-2019 school year: $242,000 less than the prior school year. Schools in all five zones are scheduled for various upgrades in¬cluding roofing, replacement LED lighting, and funds to address annual flooring and painting needs,
Trustees spoke about their recent attendance at various community meetings and events over the last few weeks where they shared key messages about GYPSD with the community-at-large. They also enjoyed their recent school visits in the Edson and Lobstick zones to see schools’ focus on the jurisdictional priorities.
As part of the new pilot calendar, the board wishes ev¬eryone a well deserved new Fall Break from November 12 to 16, and enjoy their time with family and friends.
Superintendent Lewis provided highlights from this month’s leadership meetings with principals and assis¬tant principals that focused on developing: teacher and leadership excellence skills, instructional focus, and generative dialogue.