Board Meeting Highlights - May 26, 2026
Good News
A Celebration of Student Senators and Members of the Indigenous Student Grand Council
A reception was hosted in order to acknowledge and celebrate the students who participate in two groups that provide valuable input and voice to the trustees and senior staff. A recap of their accomplishments from the 2025/2026 school year was provided and each member received a certificate and gift to thank them for their contributions. The board thanks them for their participation and valuable insight!
AMDSB and OSSTF Celebrate Excellence in Public Education
Chair Michael Bannerman was pleased to share that he, along with Vice Chair Patricia Smith and members of the senior team, attended the OSSTF event celebrating "Excellence in Public Education" on May 7. In a celebration of student achievement and teaching excellence, award recipients include secondary students, secondary teachers, support staff members, community members, and two especially-excellent elementary students. A full list of the award winners can be viewed on the Excellence in Public Education page.
Anne Hathaway PS Creates New Buddy Bench to Support Students
Chair Michael Bannerman was pleased to share that Anne Hathaway PS recently installed a new "Buddy Bench" to encourage conversation, friendship and early self-advocacy among students. The project was led by the school's School (Parent) Council and supported by Mark's Stratford through their community involvement initiatives, as well as Stratford Metal Products who created the sign for the bench. Full details can be found in a recent Stratford Today article by local reporter Alex Hunt. Photo credit: Alex Hunt
Students Showcase Art Pieces at the Blyth Festival Art Gallery
Trustee Nancy Rothwell proudly shared that students across Huron and Perth county schools showcased their art pieces at the Blyth Festival Art Gallery.
North Perth Hosts 2nd Annual Cultural Unity Festival
Student Trustee Jaelynn MacPherson highlighted the recent event hosted among North Perth schools on May 6. This event was hosted last year and she was pleased to report that the attendance increased and participants enjoyed engaging in a number of activities including clothing displays, food sampling, painting and cultural dance performances. Using a passport, participants were able to show which countries they visited. A well attended event!
AMDSB Students Showcase Talent at Skills Ontario Competition
Superintendent Paul Langis highlighted the recent success of AMDSB elementary and secondary students at the recent Skills Ontario Competition. Just over 50 elementary students and 10 secondary students participated in a variety of events including character animation, construction, LEGO robotics, carpentry, electrical, job interview and more! Three AMDSB groups/competitors won bronze medals in: Character Animation (Stratford Intermediate School Grade 7/8), Construction (South Huron DHS Grade 7/8), and Job Interview (Central Huron SS Secondary). Way to go!
Improving Math Outcomes Across AMDSB
Superintendent Riley Culhane highlighted that educators across our district continue to utilize High Impact Instructional Practices daily in their classrooms. This year, the focus is specifically on Effective Learning Tasks, Deliberate Practice and Small Group Instruction. The images below show students at Romeo PS, Howick Central PS, Anne Hathaway PS and Mornington Central PS engaged in their learning through the use of these practices in their classrooms.
Students Host Anti-Hate Conference
Superintendent Culhane was also pleased to share that on May 5, Stratford District SS hosted the Anti-Hate Conference 2.0 in partnership with Listowel District SS. Each secondary school across the district sent up to 10 students and a teacher sponsor to this student-led event, where students selected speakers and shaped the content. The Indigenous Student Grand Council participated as part of their individual school teams, but also as its own community. Topics focused on inclusive communication, leadership, school inclusivity planning, unpacking student voice on equity issues, and understanding bias, culminating in honest, transformative conversations about belonging, loss, and love. Student and staff feedback from the day was very positive, and we would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this a fantastic day of learning for everyone.
AMDSB Schools Continue to Support Cancer Research through the Terry Fox Foundation
Communications Manager Chera Longston expressed pride for the support shown by students, staff, and families through their fundraising efforts during the Terry Fox Run last fall. Schools across AMDSB raised over $82,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation, with Upper Thames ES leading the way with an impressive contribution of $12,442.55. Since AMDSB began hosting these fundraising events schools have raised over 1.5 million dollars - great work, AMDSB!
School Showcase
Communications Manager Chera Longston highlighted Howick Central PS, located near Gorrie (Vice Chair Patricia Smith), and serves approximately 320 elementary students (grades K to 8). Its progression school is FE Madill SS. The building opened in 1963 and is led by Principal Paul Menary and Vice Principal Michael Bennie under the supervision of Superintendent Jane Morris.
Highlights from Howick include:
- Team work: Staff and students together to create spaces for student leadership and voice, extra curricular teams and activities, clubs and band.
- Community Connection: Howick is very connected to its surrounding communities. The local Legion, Optimist, parent council and Josslin Insurance have all made generations donations to help support their library, nutrition programs, extracurricular activities, school wide events and community closet. Howick students also give back, connecting with a local retirement home, hosting sock drives, Jump rope for heart, Terry Fox runs and food drives.
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Student events: Remembrance Day ceremony, Carnaval, and an amazing space for outdoor learning all contribute to the positive learning environment at Howick.
Days of Significance Wrap-Up (May)
Schools celebrated important days throughout the month of May. The video below provides a sampling of these activities!
May DOS Wrap Up Video by AMDSB Communications
Trustees Move Forward with Another Phase of the Strategic Plan (2026-2030)
Trustees approved a first draft of the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan. Details will be released in the coming months including graphics and details of the plan. Stay tuned!
Student Trustee Update
Student Trustee Julia Havenga shared that the Student Senate hosted their election for the 2026/2027 school year. Congratulations to Mollie Hannam (Stratford District SS) who will serve as President and Arina Postovalova (South Huron DHS) who will serve as Vice President. She explained that their next meeting will welcome incoming senators for introductory activities and provide them with a handbook to help guide them in their role.
Future Board Meetings
Regular Board Meetings are held in person unless otherwise noted. Links to join the Regular Board meetings online will be posted on the Board Meeting page the day before the meeting.
- Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 4:45 p.m. (Regular Session, followed by Committee of the Whole, Closed Session)
- Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. (Regular Session, followed by Committee of the Whole, Closed Session - via MS Teams)
Future Meetings/Events with Trustee Representation
- Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) – Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. (MS Teams)
- Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) – Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 4:00p.m. (MS Teams)
- Audit Committee – Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
- Equity Steering Committee – Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.
- Finance Committee – Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. (MS Teams)
- AODA – Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. (MS Teams)
- Finance Committee – Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. (MS Teams)