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Board Meeting Highlights - February 24, 2026

Good News

Maitland River ES Community Engagement

Vice Chair Patricia Smith was pleased to share that Maitland River Elementary School has a new initiative called Maitland Munchies Team Crockpot where every two weeks, the group selects a 'family friendly recipe', purchases the ingredients and packs them into a reusable school embossed bag to send home with families for the weekend. The hope is that students help cook these easy, healthy and delicious meals. She also reported that the school's Kindness Project for February was selling 'Candy Grams'. The funds from the sales are going towards purchasing fabric for each grade to make a plush 'tie' blanket that will be donated to Ronald McDonald House charities. Way to go!
  
Student cutting vegetables beside a crock pot  Sign with "Blanket Drive for Ronald McDonald House"
 
 

SDSS Students Partnering on new Feature Section in the Stratford Times

Trustee Deepika Mishra highlighted a new feature in the Stratford Times featuring Stratford District SS school English students. The Black and Gold Edition, published for the first time on January 30, will be featured in the last edition of every month. The content is exclusively created by SDSS student writers and is a partnership between the Stratford Times staff and Department Head of English Laurie Craig. A great learning opportunity for future writers/reporters! Read the feature in the Stratford Times (pages 14-15). 
 
Page 1 of the Black and Gold feature in the Stratford Times  Page 2 of the Black and Gold feature in the Stratford Times
 

Highlights from the Pathways Team

Superintendent Paul Langis shared exciting opportunities from the Pathways team. First, grade 7/8 students from 3 schools have been designing and creating gnocchi boards and then preparing and tasting fresh pasta in a hands-on culinary session. The culinary portion is led by Chef Nathan Brown of SFK – Food & Culinary Consulting.
 
Over 440 grade 12 students are on track to complete their Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) requirements in June 2026, including new registrations this semester. Goderich District CI SHSM and science students visited the University of Waterloo for an Anatomy 101 workshop, exploring muscles, bones, ligaments, heart valves, and more while gaining insight into human biology and UW labs. FE Madill SS Health & Wellness students visited Wilfrid Laurier University, Gina's College, and Waterloo Cosmoprof for Reach Ahead activities. Stratford District SS Transportation students attended the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, exploring automotive innovation and career pathways. Hospitality and Health & Wellness students from five AMDSB schools will partner with United Way Perth-Huron and cook budget-friendly meals with Chef Nathan Brown. 

Finally, the team was pleased to host 29 members to the first of two Pathways Advisory Committee meetings on Wednesday, January 28. This January meeting was held in person over lunch and included a special presentation from Dr. Graham Shantz as he shared an overview of the ongoing work to shape and define the Board’s Strategic Plan and committee members were able to provide feedback.
 
Gr 7/8 students in the gnocchi board session with chef Nathan Brown Health Technology SHSM students at UW students listening to speaker  
  
 

School Showcase

Communications Manager Chera Longston highlighted Elma Township Public School, located in Atwood (Trustee Nancy Rothwell), which serves approximately 370 elementary students (grades K to 8). Its progression school is Listowel District SS. The current building opened in 1967 and is led by Principal Kate Lusk and Vice Principal Vanessa Beringer under the supervision of Superintendent Jane Morris.
 
Highlights from Elma include:
  • Celebration Days and Connection to Local Community: Elma students celebrate a number of events and days that bring everyone together. They are very passionate about Terry Fox day as they raise funds for cancer research, learn about the impact of residential schools on Orange Shirt Day and celebrate Remembrance Day each year with an assembly that welcomes many community members. In addition, the school has a very close relationship with North Perth OPP and regularly welcomes officers who present to students on a number of safety and community service related topics. 
  • Outdoor Learning: Elma has an expansive yard that includes not just an outdoor classroom, but an actual Nature Centre! They also enjoy fabulous playgrounds, swings, several soccer fields and a full track! During the snowy weather, students use snow shoes to keep things lively through the long months of winter! 
  • Student Voice and Leadership: Elma has a strong focus on Student Voice which provides opportunities for students to participate in cross-grade activities to encourage collaboration and partnership. Their Student Parliament brings joy and special events throughout the year including a recent food drive for the Monkton Foodbank. 
 
Group of Elma students wearing orange shirts  Group of Elma students learning outdoors in their nature area  Gr 7/8 Elma students posing in front of their food bank contribution
 

Days of Significance Wrap-Up (February)

Schools celebrated important days throughout February. The video below provides a sampling of these activities!
Feb DOS Wrap-up Video - 2026 by AMDSB Communications
 

Student Trustee Update

Student Trustee Julia Havenga reported that the student senate is moving forward with school-based bake sales to raise money for their equity initiative. She also explained that they are finalizing the details for a mental health social media campaign that will launch in the spring. It will focus on existing support available to students and encourage students to reach out for support when needed in order to reduce the stigma. 
 
 

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, March 24, 2026 at 4:45 p.m. - Regular Session, followed by Committee of the Whole, Closed Session
  • Tuesday, April 14, 2026 - Governance and Strategic Planning Committee
  • Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 4:45 p.m. - Regular Session, followed by Committee of the Whole, Closed Session
  • Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - Governance and Strategic Planning Committee
  • Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 4:45 p.m. - Regular Session, followed by Committee of the Whole, Closed Session

Future Meetings/Events with Trustee Representation

  • Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) – Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. (Microsoft Teams)
  • Strategic Planning Session with Trustees and Senior Staff – Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. (full day session)
  • Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL) – Monday, March 23, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.