Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 Report 99-252 Fall 1999 Progress Reports from OCDSB Futures Conference Action Groups Formed in May 1999• OTTAWA - CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Date 24 November 1999 Report No. 99 -252 to the Chairs' Committee Re Fall 1999 Progress Reports from OCDSB Futures Conference Action Groups Formed in May 1999 ORIGINATORS: James P. Grieve, Director of Education/ Secretary of the Board Janice E. Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor PURPOSE: To endorse the initiatives of the action groups which emerged from the 15 May 1999 Future Search Conference; The Future is in your Hands. BACKGROUND: 2. To ensure substantial opportunities for consultation with students, staff, parents and the wider community, OCDSB stakeholders engaged in a unique long -term planning process in May, 1999 through the Future Search Conference. The future search approach, while lengthier than a more traditional strategic planning exercise, is known to result in a stronger engagement of the community both in the process itself, and in the implementation of a resulting long -range plan. 3. The conference was successful in opening a lively dialogue and in engaging the various stakeholder groups, including principals and vice - principals, teachers, affiliated and non- affiliated support staff, students, parents, and representatives from the wider community such as the Government of Canada, Ontario MOET, O-C post - secondary institutions, business, and health and social service providers. 4. In September, a full report from the conference was sent to all participants and the groups they represented. As indicated in that report, seven action groups were formed at the conclusion of the conference to study and provide recommendations on: ➢ Board structures and processes ➢ Expectations for Learning /Accountability ➢ The School as Hub in the Community ➢ Safe Schools ➢ Staff Training and Support ➢ Student - Tailored Learning ➢ Volunteerism STATUS: 5. The seven groups have completed fall progress reports (attached as Appendix A). Although these reports provide only brief summaries of activities, they indicate that the groups have are highly motivated and are actively engaged in pursuing the objectives sketched out and agreed upon at the May conference. 6. The reports received so far indicate appropriate focus and initiative. Each group has accepted and expanded the mandate assigned to it at the conference. Each has made progress in refining this mandate and in setting out a plan. Most have declined at this point to predict a final completion date for their activities; however, a two -year time frame for completion appears to be a realistic prediction. 7. Each action group has outlined some measurable outcomes (see section entitled 'Evidence that will demonstrate our action group has been successful in Year 1). Desired outcomes include: ➢ achieving increased understanding and agreement about needed improvements in Board structures and processes to support decision- making ➢ ensuring that we can demonstrate our graduates have met expectations for learning which enable them to succeed in their chosen paths ➢ building partnerships and pooling expertise and resources to serve our students in an integrated 'hub model' within the local community ➢ increasing anti- violence initiatives in our curricula and achieving a safer school environments ➢ addressing morale and job satisfaction issues among staff through enhanced training opportunities and by providing appropriate recognition and incentives ➢ developing a model of student - tailored (individualized) learning that allows students to learn at their own pace with technology as an enabler, while maintaining the importance of teaching for student learning ➢ increasing volunteer opportunities within our schools and achieving good volunteer management 8. The action groups are continuing their work this fall with a view to coming together on 28 January 2000 to share progress to date, and to agree on long -term strategies for success in each of the seven areas agreed upon at the May conference. 9. The volunteer efforts of staff and community members alike in meeting at least monthly to discuss and develop their action areas have been exemplary. Students, trustees, principals, teachers, central staff, business, university/college and community participants have contributed their talents and time willingly to move this initiative forward. 10. It is not anticipated that additional financial or staff resources other than those already included in the budget will be needed to further the work of the Futures project. On 28 January 2000, conference participants will meet for a follow -up day to share their findings and discuss plans for completing their work. 11. In the longer term, the work of these teams will serve as the basis for a strategic plan for the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board over the next decade. The enthusiasm and dedication of all involved is a testimony to the desire of our students, staff and wider community to.enhance public education in Ottawa- Carleton. 12. The Board's endorsement is sought for this broad -based capacity- building initiative to-benefit our students now and in the future. RECOMMENDATION That the Board endorse the mandates, objectives and plans of the seven Futures action groups as a component in the development of a long -term strategic plan for the OCDSB to assist graduates of the CGttawa- Carleton District School Board to be second to none in the Province of Ontario. James P. Grieve Director of Education /Secretary of the Board 3 M'_j The Future Is In Our Hands: The Ottawa- Carleton Community and Public Education to 2015 OTTAWA CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD September 1999 Action Group Progress Report Convenor(s): Lynn Scott Chair. ":Lynn Scott Vuntuw tiyu+muuun Lynn: 832 -3813 (voice), 832 -5428 (fax) e -mail: lynnjcott@ocdsb.edu.on.ca Members: Michael Clarke, Alex Getty, Barrie Hammond, Wulf Heidecker, Terry Leung, Lamar Mason, Gibb McKay, Janice Sargent, Lynn Scott, Barbara Stollery, Janel Yu, Dave Wildman " Mandate of Action Group A. As developed at the May Conference: To facilitate increased interaction among the many players in our system (trustees, staff; parents, students, business, service providers) with a view to improving decision- making. Objectives include gathering information on alternative models and identifying goals and timelines for possible structural and process changes in the short, medium and long term. Development of a proposed common definition of the term "consultation" will be a priority. ; B. As define&refined by our members since the conference: To review Board structures and processes, with a specific focus on communication and purposeful interactions among the Board and its diverse stakeholders (including trustees, staff, parents, students, business, service providers) in support of decision - making in the OCDSB now and through 2015. To identify goals, strategies and timelines for implementing improved structures and processes. Development of a common understanding of "consultation" is a key element. Plans/Time Frame for Accomplishing our Mandate A. Our Plans: 1. Review existing structures /processes, basis for and constraints on these, identify players in system. 2. Clarify concepts of governance, management, consultation, communication. 3. Research other models, both successes and failures. 4. identify problems with existing structures /processes. 5. Identify desired improvements and propose strategies for achieving those changes. B. Estimated Date for Completion of our Final Report: 1. Interim report on existing structures, concepts of governance, management, consultation: mid- January 2000 2. Final report on desired improvements and strategies for achieving them: to be determined Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B,133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1S1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 FA Information- Gathering A. Most useful resources we have gathered/explored to assist as with our task: Preliminary list of resources and summary of key information still underdevelopment. B. Brief summary of our findings: No findings to report to date. Evidence that will demonstrate our action group has been successful in Year I: 1. Improved common understanding within Action Group of concepts of governance, management and consultation, and communication, and the roles of stakeholder groups with regard to these. 2. Preliminary agreement on desired improvements in Board structures and processes to support decision- making for effective education. 3. Broader understanding among stakeholder groups of decision - making processes and their context. 4. Plan for validating findings to date with stakeholder groups. Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B,133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1S1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 Y' • M"_J OTTAWA CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD The Future Is In Our Hands: The Ottawa- Carleton Community and Public Education to 2015 September 1999 Action Group Progress Report Chair: Frank Allan and Sharan Samagh(co- chairs) Frank: Hillcrest H.S. 733 -1755 Sharan: Program Division 596 -8211, Ext. 8408 Members Frank Allan, Rose -Marie Batley, Cynthia Bled, Bob Gillett, Jim Grieve, Elisha Kizito, Lyndi McDonald, Justin Millette, Brian Mortimer, Tony Pearson, Sharan Samagh, Janice Sargent, Katherine Saunders, Lynn Scott, Peter Stark, Betty Tait, Judy Turriff Mandate of Action Group A. As developed at the May Conference. Objectives identified by the group include setting out expectations for the skills and knowledge which an OCDSB graduate in 2015 should have when entering the workplace and going on to post- secondary studies. Primary areas for focus are literacy, mathematics and social/life skills (communication /interaction, problem- solving). After defining expectations, the group will turn to accountability issues (how do we know our students have reached these expectations? What measures should-be used to ensure expectations have been met ?) B. As deftwed/refined by our members since the conference. The group decided to work with the mandate established at the May conference. Plans/Time Frame for Accomplishing our Mandate A. Our Plans: Part One: To come up with -a set of expectations for students graduating in 2015. Part Two: After defining expectations, the group will turn to accountability issues. (How do we know our students have reached these expectations? What measures should be used to ensure expectations have been met ?) B. Estimated Date for Completion of our Final Report: Part One: Early January 2000 Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower 13,133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1S1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 V ' Information- Gathering A. Most useful resources we have gatheredlexplored to assist us with our task: Employability Information — materials gathered by members Information on trends in the world of work Information and resources brought to the table by each stakeholder B. Brief summary of our findingsr In an effort to identify what we should expect of our graduates in the year 2015, the group embarked upon a process of discussing and highlighting the purpose(s) and characteristics of public education. This was done in.aneffort to provide a context and paradigm within which the group could identify a range of expectations students could work toward, while at the same time in mind the need to create/maintain a sustainable system of 'measurability' and accountability. This exercise has been challenging but our findings have led us to proceed as follows • establish, a set of expectations that will be relevant in 2015, keeping in mind `how' and `if' the OCDSB can `accurately measure? whether or not expectations have been met by graduates in 2015. Evidence that will demonstrate our action group has been successful in Year 1; The evidence will be: • establishing expectations' that are acceptable to all stakeholders involved • beginning the process of formulating the way in which we will know students have achieved. these expectations. Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B, 133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1S1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 7 0, MI-i The Future Is In Our Hands: The Ottawa- Carleton Community and Public Education to 2015 OTTAWA-CMUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD September 1999 Action Group Progress Report Convenor(s): Maggie,Melenhorst 596 -8211, 8313 Chair. Rotating. Claudia Chowaniec 233 -9378 Barb Stolkiy 596 -8211, x. 8886 . Members. Gibb McKay, Teacher, Derrick Oswald, Vice- Chair, OCASC Len Kennedy, Acting Director with the Denis Laundry, Teacher Children's Aid Society Lynda Cloutier, Chief Negotiator and Albert Chambers, Chair of the OCDSB Grievance Officer, ESP Executive Council Judith Hoye, OCDSB Superintendent Zarah Hajali, McArthur HS student (c /o Barb John Brennan, OCDSB Superintendent Gage, VP) Bill Langdon, Principal PattyAnne Hill, Trustee, OCDSB Chris Bradshaw, Ottawa Fed. of Community Sheryl Gorman, OCRI Assoc. Gayle Preston, Director, Child Care Division, RMOC Mandate of Action Group A. As developed at the May Conference. While it may not be realistic to expect increased financial resources, increased efficiencies through co- operation are hoped for. The group's objective is to see one or more pilot projects put in place to make the 'campus' concept a reality. To achieve this vision, help will be needed from many agencies as well as local communities. B. As defured/reflned by our members since the conference. to have a school or other community facility developed as a community hub for services to children (0 -6 yrs), school -going youth in elementary and secondary school, and residents engaged in life -long learning activity. Plans/Time Frame for Accomplishing our Mandate C. Our Plans: &Wff,ch/Concgpt Development The action group will prepare one page summaries of what has been learned from previous attempts to build the hub model in other districts /regions. These summaries would report on: the identified agencies, projects, lessons learned, the pitfalls to avoid, • key people who might be partners in the future. From this research data, we will develop a conceptual model of what is the hub ?' Tim : November 2e, 1999. Building Partnershtps/FundinP Sources We will sponsor a round table of key potential partners to test/refne conceptual model and identify future partners /resources they would bring to the hub. We will identify potential funding sources /projects on which to piggy -back the hub concept ILnlgefime: January through to February 2000. Implementation Qt Pilot Hub Project We will evaluate the concept and refine it in light of practical experience. We will 'look to acquiring longer term funding sources and expanding the hub concept to other communities. TfmgEam e: June 2000. B. Estimated Date for Completion of our Final Report. This is a long -term project with regularly updated progress reports on the hub pilot. It is hoped that a pilot hub would be in place within two years. Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B, 133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1 S 1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 U Information- Gathering A. Most useful resources we have gathered/explored to assist us with our task: each member of the action group is bringing to the table their experience with 'best practices'that most resemble the hub concept, including Lighthouse, and others. Additional key members, such as Barb Stollery and Trustee Patty Anne Hill have joined the group to lend breath of knowledge. B. Brief summary of our findings: A review of past organizations, ie. Lighthouse, shows that the concept of the hub has been successfully implemented but projects were ultimately halted when funding sources disappeared The most critical long -range challenge is sustainability of funding,' which we would seek to accomplish through ,a range of partnerships with funding sources in the community. Evidence that will 'demonstrate our action group has been successful in Year 1: The initiation of a pilot hub will have begun. Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B, 133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1S1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 ML The Future Is In Our Hands: The Ottawa- Carleton, Community and Public Education to 2015 OTTAWA- CMUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD September 1999 Action Group Progress Report Convenor(s): Ross Donaldson Chair. Waiter Piovesan Brookfield H.S. Members: Larry Archibald, the late Miriam Birnbaum, Sgt Alan Martel, Justin Millette, Lynne Oreck- Wener,Joan Spice, Alexa Thorpe Mandate of Action Group A. As developed at the May Conference: L To address a continuum of programs that address "Kids caring for !rids" on a daily basis. 2. To propose an alternative program /school for students :whose recidivism is apparent- B. As defined/rejned by our members since the conference: The Safe Schools Committee will meet each month from now until June, 2000 and our mandate will be redefined throughout the meetings. Plans/Time Frame for Accomplishing our Mandate A. Our Plans. To incorporate members of the action group into the monthly meeting of the Safe Schools Committee. In essence this adds simply two new members to the committee structure of the safe school committees There will be two standing items on the monthly OCDSB Safe Schools Committee agenda: 1. social skills curriculum programming 2. an alternative to long -term suspensionlexpulsion B. Estimated Date for Completion of our Final Report. Information- Gathering A. Most useful resources we have gatheredlexplored to assist us with our task: the establishment of a curriculum; development team by the program department of the OCDSB. the offer of attendance at <upcoming Safe Schools Conferences within the province - the deliberations of the Safe Schools Committee B. Brief summary of our findings: We are at the awareness stage and we will be increasing our knowledge and familiarity with the issues impacting our mandate. We expect to make signifeant progress within our mandate through scheduled monthly meetings. Evidence that will demonstrate our action group has been successful in Year 1: - the incorporation of social skills (anti- violence) into the curriculum - an increased awareness of the alternatives to suspension/expulslon. Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B,133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1S1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 M"_J The Future Is In Our Hands: The Ottawa- Carleton Community and Public Education to 2015 OTTAWA CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD September 1999 Action Group Progress Report Convenor(s): Carol Nixon Chair: Not selected. Members: Ann Donahue, Marie Traaersy, facquie Hawken, Lyndi McDonald, Tony Pearson and Carol Nixon. Mandate of Action Group A. As, developed at the May Conferences • To develop strategies to support and value teachers; and staff. • To plan for the use of community resources in training. • To devise a scheme to create more time for training. • To develop ways to reward excellence. • To identify and coordinate training needs. B. As defined/refined by our members since the conference • To examine the current practices of the board in the areas of teacher training and support. • To research the practices of other jurisdictions and sectors with respect to training and support. • To consider the long term future needs of teachers in terms of training and support, having regard to the findings of the action group on learning expectations, and to begin the preliminary planning. process for identifying and addressing the needs of teachers to 2015. • To identify areas for improvement in the board's practices with respect to teacher training and support and to offer strategies /mechanisms for the board's consideration. • To advise the board on the development of a system of rewards and incentives to recognize and encourage excellence in teaching. • ` To consider societal attitudes towards teachers and education and advise the board on the development of a public relations campaign aimed at fostering an environment more conducive to the delivery of high quality education. To liaise with the action group on volunteerism for the purpose of constructively engaging the community and its resources in teacher training and support. • To decide whether to include as part of the group's work the training and support of other staff groups such as principals /vice - principals, central staff and administrative and support staff. Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B,133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K IS1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 /o. Plans/Time Frame for Accomplishing our Mandate A. Our Plans: All information gathered so far has been assembled in the form of a preliminary report with recommendations for consideration by the action group. Areas requiring further study will be identified and divided among the group." The group will monitor and respond to the activities and findings of the two related action groups, on volunteerism and student learning expectations. The group also hopes to utilize the board's intended school and system audits to gather information necessary to its work. Ultimately, a report on the board's existing training and support practices and projected future needs is to be brought forward to the board. The report will include recommendations aimed at the board and also at the provincial government, the federations, school councils and elsewhere as appropriate. B. Estimated Date for Completion of our Final Report. The completion of the group's final report will depend in part on the work of the action groups on volunteerism and student learning expectations, and the timing of the board's school /system audits. Therefore, a completion date cannot be estimated at this time. Information- Gathering A. Most useful resources we have gathered/explored to assist us with our task: • Meetings with Superintendents Dan Mason and Bonnie Viney. • The board's action plans and other documents relating to training and support. • 'Welcome to the Durham District School Board" by Doug Wilson, Superintendent of Education /Operations and Chris Ward, Staff Development Coordinator. • Materials on the human resource practices of the health and private sectors. B. Brief summary of our findings (to date): • The board's staff development initiatives appear to be extensive. • Ongoing support during the implementation of new skill acquisition would improve the results of training. • Collaboration is a key aspect of teaching and one that presents a particular challenge in the face of decreased time and increased responsibility. • The board needs more information about the morale and job satisfaction levels of its staff. There are indications that stress and low morale are pervasive among the teaching staff. • Any plan to address issues of morale and job satisfaction among teachers will need to involve all stakeholders and must be top (read Premier Harris) down and all inclusive in its approach. • It is important for the board and other stakeholders to clearly communicate to teachers, through word and deed, that their work is valued and respected. • A bottom up, management approach that engages teachers in policy and program decisions is likely to increase morale /job satisfaction and result in better decisions. Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B, 133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1 S 1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 /0�. Evidence that will demonstrate our action group has been successful in Year 1: • Our research will have been completed. • The board will have gauged staff morale /job satisfaction levels as part of its school'_ school /system audit process. • The group will have dovetailed its work with that of the action groups on volunteerism and student learning expectations. • In the ,interests of high quality education, a comprehensive strategy will have been devised to reverse the trend of negativity' towards teachers in Ontario. • The group will have agreed on a set of preliminary recommendations to bring forward to the board addressing the current and future training and support needs of its staff. "When it comes right down to it,; most people want to feel challenged in their work; they crave the satisfaction that comes from making` an impact, however insignificant it might seem to others. The worst job? ''That's easy: it's the one where the boss treats you like an idiot, the customers shower you with complaints and opportunities for personal growth and development are non - existent. " (The Best & Worst Jobs: Maclean's/May 31, 1999) Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B,133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1S1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 /3 LT_,__J The Future Is In Our Hands: The Ottawa- Carleton Community and Public Education to 2015 OTTAWA- CMUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD September 1999 Action Group Progress Report Convenor(s): Peter Stark Bob Hertzog: Colonel By Secondary School Council, 724- 5691, or iaurion(a sympat co.ca Chair. Bob Hertzog/Peter Stark Members: Sumaiya Beshir, Julia Gemmell, Bob Hertzog, Naham Kidanemarian, Patricia Kully, Myrna Laurenceson, Natasha, Lewis, Dan Mason, Judy Ramkerrysingh, Colin Rose, Peter Stark, Marie Traversy Mandate of Action Group A. As developed at the May Conference: To develop plans for action in three linked areas identified durhig the conference: student - tailored (individualized) learning/ability to learn at one's own pace while maintaining the importance of the teacher in learning; technology as an enabler; and programming to include more variety and choice. B. As defined/refined by our members since the conference. To develop a model of student- tailored learning to be applied in the OCDSB that is supported by technology and reflects a'variety of choices of program and program delivery options. Plans/Time Frame for Accomplishing our Mandate A. Our Plans: 1. Develop a common understanding and definition of "student- tailored learning". 2. Identify systems, schools and programs where the focus is on student - tailored learning both within the OCDSB and in other jurisdictions. 3. Carry out a formal search of literature on student - tailored learning. 4. Conduct a focus group, to test the definition of student - tailored learning. 5. Examine the feasibility of implementing the findings of the research. B. Estimated Date for Completion of our Final Report: 1. Examination of research findings by mid - January 2000. 2 Final report: to be determined. Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B,133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1S1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 I� Information - Gathering A. Most useful resources we have gathered/eWlored to assist us with our task: The group has identified the following examples of student- tailored learning initiatives that should be explored further: ` individualized, student - tailored learning that is currently taking place in our classrooms; alternate programs; specialized programs such as the Canterbury Arts and high- performance athletes; year- round schooling;' flexible time - tabling options; multi -age classrooms; and long- distance' learning models. B. Brief summary of our findings: Student - tailored learning is defined by the group as a method of delivering learning opportunities to all students in all grades which, enabled by technology, permits a student to select a combination of face -to -face interaction or the use of web -based tools resulting in student -paced and staff - supported' learning within the context of Board and Ministry expectations. Evidence that will demonstrate our action group has been successful in Year 1: Research will have been completed. • model for student - tailored learning in the OCDSB will be developed: • process for identifying the needs of individual students will be developed. • focus group to test the definition will have occurred. Plans for implementation will be underway. Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B, 133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1S1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 LM The Future Is In Our Hands: The Ottawa- Carleton Community and Public Education to 2015 OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD September 1999 Action Group Progress Report uontacr miormanon Convenor(s): Cheryl', Gorman OCRI (613) 592 -8160 ext. 251 cgorman@ocri.ca <mailto:cgorman@ocri.ca> Chair: Members: Sarah Cook, OCRI Lynn Graham, Trustee Jill Heckman, Parent Judith Hoye, Superintendent Mandate of Action Group A. As developed at the May Conference: There was agreement among the members of this group that the focus should be on parents' involvement in their children's education, ranging from at -home activities such as reading with each child, to at- school activities such as meeting with teachers for interviews, helping in the classroom, and becoming involved through school councils in a wide range of activities in support of students, B. As defned1refined by our members since the conference To increase the number of parent volunteers and increase the effective management of all parent and community volunteers in OCDSB schools. F' A f h' M dat Plans tme rame for ccomp is tng our an e Background: While the original objectives of this group are important factors for student success, the group size led to a decision to narrow the mandate. The Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) has operated a regional Volunteers in Education Program since 1994. The focus of this program is community volunteers in schools. In 1998 -1999, OCRI staff began working with local school boards to harmonize policies and procedures for managing parent and community volunteers. The original OCDSB Volunteer Action Group decided to attend the first Volunteers in Education Advisory Committee to determine if the refined mandate could be addressed through the work of this committee. The OCDSB Volunteer Action Group agreed to work through OCRI's committee. The work of OCRI in recruiting, training, placing and recognizing community volunteers is a support to the schools, but does not, and cannot, replace the vital the on- going work of school staff in recruiting, training, and recognizing parent volunteers in each of our schools. Timeframe: November 2,1999. A. OurPlans/Activides for 1999 -2000: • Promotion of the importance and effectiveness of good volunteer management (distribution of Volunteers in Education Handbook to all schools and presentation to O-C Assembly of School Councils - November 1999). • Incorporation of "parent volunteer message" into training provided to In- school Volunteer Co- ordinators (ongoing). Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B, 133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1S1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999 /-5. V Plans /Time Frame for Accomplishing our Mandate(continued) • Additional recruitment of employers for meritoring and other learning resources, to continue as currently offered through Volunteers in Education (ongoing). • Development of a parent /community volunteer training session to coincide with a National Volunteer Week recognition event (April 2000) • Completion of policy and procedure regarding parent and community volunteers (March 2000). • Modification of OCRI Year End In- School Volunteer Co- ordinator Report to include parent volunteer statistics (June 2000).' • Other objectives to brought forward as they are identified through the Future Search Steering Committee, via Barb McNally, Vice President, OCRI (ongoing). • Co-ordination with the Hub Action Group, to be provided by Cheryl Gorman, OCRI (ongoing). B. Estimated Date for Completion of our Final Report: As of November 2,1999, the OCDSB Volunteer Action Group shall cease to exist. Group members who are not currently OCRI Volunteer Advisory Committee members have been invited to join the committee. A Year -end Volunteers in Education Report will be provided in August 2000 and will include statistics on both parent and community volunteers. Information- Gathering A. Most useful resources we have gathered/explored to assist us with our task: OCRI Volunteers in Education Handbook (Revised September 1999). • 1999 Non - Parent Volunteer Survey (conducted by OCRI at the request of Area Directors of Education). • Records on file at OCRI from the former Ottawa Board of Education Volunteer Office. • Informal conversations with Joan Hendry, Co- ordinator of the Early Literacy Program, a program which uses over 1,000 volunteers in 117 schools B. Brie summa o our wdin s: Brief f f g • The opportunities for recruiting volunteers in niche areas is increasing at the same time as new pools of potential volunteers are emerging with specialized talents. • Good volunteer management is the key to successful integration and retention of volunteers, both parent and community. In most cases this happens in schools where there is a volunteer "champion ". Evidence that will demonstrate our action group has been successful in Year l: Year 1: Implementation of all planned activities. Please return Action Group Reports to: Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Rm 221, Tower B, 133 Greenbank Rd, Nepean, ON K2K 1 S 1 or (e -mail) janice_sargent @ocdsb.edu.on.ca by 30 September 1999