PVNCCDSB Students and Staff Kick Off May By Celebrating Asian Heritage Month

As May is celebrated as Asian Heritage Month, Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board (PVNCCDSB) staff and students embraced the various cultures with a ceremony at Holy Cross Secondary School on Wednesday morning.

Caitlyn Chan Reynolds displays her art piece before pvnccdsb students and staff at Holy Cross Secondary School. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The celebration’s theme was “Stories of Determination,” representing the strides made and the challenges Asian communities have overcome to thrive in Canada over the last two centuries and beyond.

“With the increasing diversity in our student population and in our communities, it is so important to allow voice for our students and families to really honour who they are and all of use to acknowledge the pieces of history that brought us to where we are,” said Dr. Cynthia Chan Reynolds, PVNCCDSB psychologist and manager of student services. “We need to honour all of our students so acknowledging the heritage pieces of our students is really key.”

There was an opening ceremony that featured cultural performances, an art exhibit by a local student and a display of traditional Asian attire from students.

Several speakers shared their lived experiences of immigrating to Canada or being born as first-generation with Asian descent. They also talked about initiatives against anti-Asian racism.

Reynolds adds that this assembly is all about awareness and allowing those with Asian heritage to fully embrace their authentic selves without judgment.

“That's part of the pieces in terms of Asian culture. We are brought up in a space of compliance and respect,” explained Reynolds. “The people-pleasing piece aspect of many of our 'model-minorities,' it is assumed that compliance and agreement is safety. I think we have to open up what safety means in terms of being able to be our authentic self.”

The staff, students and guests were treated to varieties of Asian cuisine following the ceremony.

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Clarington Trustee Kevin MacKenzie Re-Elected as PVNC Catholic Board Chairperson

Clarington trustee Kevin MacKenzie has been re-elected as the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board chairperson during their annual meeting at the Catholic Education Centre on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of PVNCCDSB.

MacKenzie is serving for the 2023-2024 term. He has served five years as a trustee, having first been elected in the 2018 municipal election. He served as the Board’s vice-chairperson from 2021-2022 and chairperson from 2022-2023.

“Serving as chairperson has been a profound honor, and being re-elected is a responsibility I accept with both pride and humility,” said MacKenzie. “The past term has shown me the incredible capabilities of our students and staff, a testament to our commitment to excellence in Catholic Education. In my second term, I am committed to deepening our collective efforts, ensuring every student flourishes in an environment that values faith, learning, and community.”

Simultaneously, Peterborough County trustee Jenny Leahy was re-elected as vice-chairperson in her second year. Leahy joined the Board of Trustees in May last year as an appointee and was re-elected to the position during the Oct. 24, 2022 municipal election.

Peterborough trustee Loretta Durst had her second anniversary appointment to the Board. Durst won re-election in the Oct. 24, 2022 municipal election.

Trustees Joshua Glover (Clarington), Mary Ann Martin (Kawartha Lakes) and Kathleen Tanguay (Northumberland) marked one-year anniversaries at the Board table.

Tuesday was the first annual meeting for trustee John Connolly (Peterborough), appointed to his position in September.

During Tuesday’s annual board meeting, trustees were appointed to standing and ad-hoc Board committees.

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John Connolly Appointed to Serve In Trustee Role for City of Peterborough

The Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board has selected John Connolly as a new trustee to fill a vacancy on the board.

Photo courtesy of PVNC.

Connolly filled the vacancy following a special public Board meeting held on Tuesday at the Board office where six candidates were heard from.

Connolly holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Geography (Environmental Management and Urban Planning) from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and a Master’s Certificate in Public Sector Management from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (now Ontario Tech University).

He has served more than 16 years in senior management roles providing professional leadership and expertise in community building, housing, land use planning and economic development for all levels of government and the private sector. He has extensive leadership experience serving on executive boards in the Peterborough area including the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society, the Peterborough Utilities and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

Connolly is currently Executive Director, Planning, Building and Economic Development for the Township of Cavan Monaghan. He and his wife have lived in the Peterborough area for more than 25 years and raised their family of three children, all of whom were educated in PVNC Catholic schools. 

“In all aspects of my life, I believe that I not only have an obligation but a personal responsibility to contribute to my community through public service. I have done this through my chosen career path as well as through my volunteerism and family commitments,” said Connolly. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in the role of trustee and help PVNC Catholic succeed in its mission to accompany students and to educate students in faith-filled, loving, safe, inclusive schools.”

The Board began advertising for interested trustee candidates in mid-July following the resignation of Peterborough trustee Mike Ayotte. 

“We heard presentations from six strong and passionate candidates and we were impressed by the quality of candidates who put their names forward to serve Catholic Education in this jurisdiction,” Kevin MacKenzie, board chairman said. “We are happy to welcome John and I know we will all benefit from his experience and passion for service at the Board table.”

Connolly begins his role effective immediately.

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PVNC Seeking Candidates for City of Peterborough Trustee Board Position

The Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board are seeking candidates for a Catholic Trustee position and fill a Board vacancy and represent separate school ratepayers for the City of Peterborough.

File Photo.

The appointed trustee will serve until the end of the current term of office in November 2026.

 Applicants to fill the vacant seat must be:

• A Canadian citizen, at least 18 years of age; and residing within the jurisdiction of the Board. 

• A baptized and practicing Roman Catholic, who is shown as an English-language Roman Catholic school supporter on the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) form.

• Not an employee of the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, or any other district school board, or school authority in Ontario.

Candidates do not have to reside within the City of Peterborough to be considered.

Catholic Trustee applicants are invited to submit an application package including the following:

• A cover letter

• A curriculum vitae outlining personal and professional experience

Applications must be submitted to the Director’s Office via email to trusteeapplications@pvnccdsb.on.ca by 4 p.m. on Aug. 31.

Selected candidates will be contacted and asked to make a brief presentation to Trustees at a special in-camera Board meeting in September, indicating their interest in serving as a Trustee for our Board and their dedication to Catholic education according to the application.

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Stephen O’Sullivan Becomes New PVNC Director of Education

The Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board has appointed Stephen O’Sullivan as the new Director of Education and Secretary/Treasurer to the Board announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of PVNC.

O’Sullivan assumes the role in August. He has been a Catholic educator for 23 years and held the role of Superintendent of Human Resources since 2021. He also served as the Superintendent of Faith and Equity and Clarington Family of Schools.

He started his teaching career with Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board and joined PVNC Catholic as a vice-principal in 2010. O’Sullivan has served as a vice-principal at St. Mother Teresa CES, St. Elizabeth CES and St. Thomas Aquinas CSS and as principal at St. Luke CES and St. Anthony CES.

“I feel very privileged and blessed to be chosen to lead Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board,” said O’Sullivan. “I want to build on the vision and strategic priorities that are already in place and continue to move the Board forward with a focus on student and staff well-being and achievement. We will continue to accompany our students as we fulfill the promise of Catholic education together.”

O’Sullivan holds a Masters of Religious Education from the University of St. Michael’s College. He has earned an Osgoode Certificate in Education Law and in 2021 he completed the Learning Partnership Leadership Program from the Ivey Business School.

He is a chair of the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association Region One, a member of the Ontario Catholic School Business Officials Association and he sits on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Ontario Staff Development Network. Previously, O’Sullivan was on the executive council of the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario.

“We are excited to work with Steve as our new director. Steve spoke from the heart to the Board of Trustees about his vision, and the sharing of our Catholic faith,” said Kevin MacKenzie, board chairperson. “Through the many leadership roles he has taken on, he understands our system deeply and that was what truly stood out in the selection process.”

O’Sullivan and his wife Jennifer live in Peterborough with their two children, Jack and Taylor. He is a member of the Immaculate Conception parish and is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

“In this leadership role I look forward to working collaboratively with our talented superintendents and all leaders at the Board office, our dedicated and passionate school administrators, educators and support staff, students, families, parish communities and the Diocese of Peterborough as we grow our capacity to nurture the faith of students and staff together,” said O’Sullivan.

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Roy Weirenga Becomes New CAO For Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario

Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO) has introduced Roy Wierenga as their Chief Administrative Officer beginning May 8, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of PVNCCDSB.

Weirenga is bringing 35 years of student transportation experience to the position according to a press release.

The company is responsible for planning school bus routes for Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir schools.

“I have always felt so fortunate and blessed to be able to work in a profession that supports students and education," said Wierenga. "When we do our jobs well in transportation, and students arrive safely and on time at school, this has such a positive impact on student success.”

The position is a bit of a homecoming since he began his career working in Peterborough for Trentway-Wagar Bus Lines and then as Manager of Transportation for the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. Weirenga was involved in the establishment of STSCO in 2005 before accepting a position with the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) as General Manager.

In the past decade, Wierenga has been employed with Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR), working with industry and government committees that examined changes for improving student transportation across Ontario.

“I am thrilled that my journey in student transportation has now brought me back home to Peterborough where my career started many years ago," said Wierenga. "I look forward to working with the team at STSCO, our member school boards and bus operators, to find solutions that will ensure a safe and sustainable transportation network for our students and school communities going into the future."

Wierenga will replace long-serving CAO Joel Sloggett, who will be retiring from STSCO after 18 years.

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STSCO CAO Joel Sloggett Announces Retirement After 18 Years of Busing Consortium

After serving an 18-year tenure as Chief Administrative Officer for the Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO), Joel Sloggett is retiring from the position, announced by the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNC) on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of PVNC.

STSCO is responsible for planning school bus routes for Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, PVNC and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir schools. He is retiring from his position in early May.

“I have appreciated working with many bus and taxi company managers over the years and interacting with several thousand drivers. I always enjoyed being challenged with issues and problems which require careful analysis,” said Sloggett. “Supporting the education of children by getting them to school ready to learn and home after an enjoyable day has been a big motivator over these many years.”

Sloggett started at PVNC in 1996 as a supervisor of planning and assessment. He was promoted to the Board’s Manager of Planning and Transportation role, which he held from 1996 to 2005 when STSCO was established and he was hired as CAO to oversee transportation planning for all three local school boards.

Sloggett served as President of the Ontario Association of School Business Officials Association (OASBO) in 2009-10 and was awarded the International Association of School Business Officials Pinnacle Award in 2010 for business operations leadership, recognizing STSCO’s innovative bus company performance monitoring system.

Sloggett plans to travel internationally and perform home renovations upon his retirement. 

“Every day has been a fast-paced, action-packed one in school busing and I will miss that,” said Sloggett.

An announcement introducing the new STSCO CAO will be released next week.

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Joan Carragher, PVNC Catholic Director of Education Announces Retirement

Joan Carragher, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board director of education, has announced her retirement from the position effectively on Aug. 31.

Photo courtesy of PVNC.

Carragher held the position since December 2020.

“This has truly been an inspiring role. Every day I am amazed by the abilities and passions of our dedicated staff in schools and at the board office and I have had the pleasure of working on behalf of our students who give me so much optimism for the future,” said Carragher. “I sincerely thank the Board of Trustees who entrusted me with this important work. I did not take this privilege lightly and I am grateful to have had the opportunity.” 

“Joan’s steadfast leadership was instrumental in leading the Board through some of the most challenging periods of the pandemic and into recovery,” said Kevin MacKenzie, board chairperson. “Joan also led the development of the Board’s current multi-year strategic plan, which will continue to guide the Board’s direction for years to come. We thank Joan for her leadership, her mentoring, her calm demeanor in the face of many challenges and her unwavering commitment to our students, staff, families and school communities.”

Carragher was born and raised in Prince Edward Island and moved to Ontario in 1990 to begin her career in Catholic Education at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. She joined PVNC Catholic as a teacher in 1999, served as vice-principal and principal before becoming a superintendent in 2012. She served roles as superintendent of schools/special education and superintendent of learning/leadership and human resources. The Board of Trustees hired Carragher as Director of Education in December 2020.

Carragher plans to return to P.E.I. with her husband Michael following retirement. They have two daughters Charlotte and Emma, who are both PVNC Catholic graduates. 

The Board of Trustees has begun the process to fill the director’s role, making a job posting.

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PVNC Raises Over $56,000 For 2022 United Way Campaign

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board has raised $56,757 for the four area United Way organizations during its 2022 board-wide campaign announced on Tuesday.

Students at St. Patrick CES in Peterborough took part in the school's ‘Pumpkin Fest’ fundraiser for the United Way in October. Photo courtesy of PVNC.

PVNC staff gave the money through payroll donations as schools could host special fundraising events such as pumpkin carving contests, soup sales, dress-down days and more. 

“Given that we launched this year’s campaign amid a turbulent labour process, and during a time of high inflation and increased household costs, we cannot thank our PVNC Community enough for its generosity this year,” said Galen Eagle, campaign chair. “It’s heartening heading into the Christmas holidays to be able to provide this source of funding to our United Way agencies that support services so integral to the health and well-being of our communities.”

Proceeds will go to Peterborough and District United Way, Northumberland United Way, Durham United Way and City of Kawartha Lakes United Way.

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CUPE Education Workers Protest During First Day of Strike

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) education workers protest outside MPP Dave Smith’s office on Water Street as their strike for wage increases takes off on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

CUPE workers are striking for a 6 per cent wage increase, down from their original ask of 11.7 per cent. “Ford and Lecce have got to go!” chants were made from the crowds as education workers picketed and receive honks of encouragement from passing vehicles.

Similar protests were held outside the offices of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott in Lindsay, and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini in Port Hope.

The Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board (PVNC) and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) have both opted to closing schools during the strike, saying in a statement that “without CUPE workers on-site, (they) simply cannot ensure safe conditions for all students and staff.”

Students have been transitioned to at-home, asynchronous learning for the day on Friday as CUPE strikes.

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