Peterborough School Board Communication Services Team Wins National Award

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board won an Award of Distinction for its Everyday Hero Staff Recognition Program during the 2022 BRAVO! Awards Gala hosted by the Canadian Association of Communications in Education (CACE) on Monday.

Communications officer Alyssa Cymbalista (left) and communications manager Galen Eagle (right) celebrate their awards during the CACE gala on Monday. Photo courtesy of PVNC.

CACE recognizes and honours exemplary work in all aspects of school public relations, communications, marketing and engagement through this awards program each year.

“Our communications staff provide effective communication strategies to stakeholders across the district,” said Joan Carragher, PVNC director of education. “This award recognizes their exemplary work. It is a very well-deserved honour for a communications program that highlights our amazing staff and supports our multi-year strategic plan.”

The Everyday Hero Staff Recognition Program was developed as a strategic communication project to acknowledge the efforts of a range of school board staff and to help further the “Valuing Relationships” strategic priority set out in the board’s 2021-2025 strategic plan.

The CACE BRAVO! Awards are the only Canada-wide awards program specifically designed to recognize excellence in school board communications.

“We are thrilled and honoured to receive this national recognition from the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education,” said Galen Eagle, PVNC manager of communications. “We were looking for a creative way to demonstrate to our employees how much they are valued. The Everyday Hero Staff Recognition Program has been a huge success story for us, allowing us to pay tribute to employees who lift-up those around them and go the extra mile for their peers, students and the families we serve.”

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Son of Former MPP Elected As School Board Vice-Chairperson

Peterborough Trustee Braden Leal, son of former MPP Jeff Leal, has been elected as vice-chairperson of the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB) on Wednesday.

Braden ran uncontested municipal election in the Peterborough city municipal elections in 2018 Photo Courtesy of PVNCCDSB.

The decision was made following the board’s meeting Tuesday night.

Braden was an elected trustee in the 2018 municipal election, replacing Kawartha Lakes trustee Michelle Griepsma, who resigned after moving from the jurisdiction. He will serve in the vice-chairperson role until the annual Board meeting on Dec. 1.

Former Kawartha Lakes Trustee Michelle Griepsma served with the PVNCCDSB board for 11 years before her resignation earlier this month. Photo Courtesy of PVNCCDSB.

The Holy Cross Secondary School alumnus studied environmental science at Trent University and has served the school board since Dec. 2018.

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Kawartha Lakes Trustee Resigns After 11-Year Tenure

After more than 11 years of service to the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board, Kawartha Lakes Trustee Michelle Griepsma has moved out of the Board’s jurisdiction and has resigned from her role announced Wednesday.

Griepsma, a mother of four, was first elected as a trustee in 2010 and served as Board Chairperson for seven years from 2013 to 2020. Having relocated outside of the Board’s jurisdiction, Griepsma is no longer eligible to serve as a trustee. The Board accepted her resignation during the Sept. 28, 2021 Board meeting.

“It has been a wonderful journey serving in this role. I hope I have been able to contribute to the betterment of the Board and the Catholic Education of our students,” said Griepsma. “I want to thank all the Trustees and board administrators, the students, and dedicated staff and educators that I have worked with throughout my time on the Board. I wish the Board the greatest success moving forward.”

Board chairperson David Bernier has served alongside Griepsma for the duration of her time as a trustee and said he was impressed with her leadership skills from the beginning.

“I was so excited in 2010 when Michelle was first elected as Kawartha Lakes Trustee. I knew then what she brought to the table, a love for Catholic Education and strong leadership skills that she quickly put into use,” Bernier said. “PVNC Catholic has benefited from Michelle’s dedication and passion to see that our board delivers excellence in Catholic Education and that the needs of all students are being met. We will miss Michelle’s wisdom and leadership at this table. We all wish Michelle the very best as she moves on.”

During her time as a trustee, Griepsma also held leadership roles with the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA), first as a regional director before being elected OCSTA Vice-President in 2018 and serving for two years in that role.

“Michelle has invested so much time and energy in service to our board and to the promotion of Catholic Education at the provincial level,” Director of Education Joan Carragher said. “She came to board and committee meetings prepared, was diligent in her leadership roles and always participated or chaired meetings with the utmost level of professionalism and always with the best interest of our students and staff at heart. We thank Michelle for her dedication and wish her the best as she enters this new chapter in her life.”

PVNC is now seeking candidates to fill the vacancy on the Board of Trustees and to represent separate school ratepayers for the City of Kawartha Lakes. The appointed trustee will serve with the Board of Trustees until Oct. 24, 2022, when the next Municipal Election determines a successful candidate for the Dec. 1, 2022 – Nov. 30, 2026 term of office.

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Local Schools Receive Over $15 Million For Student, Family and Staff Safety

Two local school boards have received $15,489,750 by the Ontario Government to increase safety for students, school and staff in a media conference held on Thursday.

MPP Dave Smith (right) address the media with board officials from the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. Photo By David Tuan Bui.

The funds as part of the school boards’ cumulative funding Will go towards projects designed to improve ventilation, air quality, Internet connectivity, hands-free water bottle stations and other public health infrastructure for the upcoming school year.

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) is receiving $11,884,400 while the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB) is getting $3,605,350.

The media conference was held at Chemong Public School in Bridgenorth and was held by KPRDSB board officials and MPP Dave Smith.

”Our educators and staff, school board leader ship and families have made tremendous strides to keep our school safe from COVID-19, while continuing to deliver world-class education despite the pivots we have had to make,“ said Smith. “This $15 million has supported projects to install touchless features, Wi-Fi/Internet connectivity, HEPA filter unit, state-of-the-art HVAC systems and upgrades to plumbing fixtures to support a safe return to school in September. Critical infrastructure upgrades will add another layer of protection as we enter this new school year.”

Diane Lloyd (pictured) addressing the media in a Grade 2 classroom at Chemong Public School. The Ontario Government is providing $1.6 billion in resources dedicated to protecting schools against COVID-19. Photo By David Tuan Bui.

“Student and staff well-being is a highest priority and improving ventilation and filtration in classrooms and learning environment supports healthy and safe learning environment for all,” said Diane Lloyd, board chairperson.

The province is making over $1.6 billion in resources to school boards in Ontario for the upcoming year to keep kids as safe as possible according to Smith.

This funding will add support for student mental health, additional staff, school nurses, asymptomatic testing, remote learning technology and supporting health and safety measures in student transportation.

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