Presentations
OPSBA award presentation
Each year, the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA)* honours individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of education. The OPSBA Achievement Awards recognize outstanding, exemplary, and/or unique contributions to the overall well-being of the school or community through in-school, board-wide, extra-curricular, and/or volunteer activity.
Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) staff member, Krista Patterson, was nominated by a community member in the spring of 2024 when she was a teacher at Cardiff Elementary School. Patterson is currently a teacher at Stuart W. Baker Elementary School. The award was presented by OPSBA trustee representative for TLDSB, Trustee Esther Childs, for the work Patterson does that goes above and beyond her role.
Director’s recognition for innovation and leadership
The Director’s Recognition for Innovation and Leadership Award celebrates individuals in TLDSB who have combined the characteristics of innovation and leadership to improve our system and advance the strategic direction goals of improving student learning and achievement, and fostering student and staff well-being. The award is presented by the director of education, Wes Hahn, at each TLDSB Public Meeting of the Board. Hahn introduced this month’s recipients:
Larry O’Connor is an Indigenous knowledge holder and member of the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee. He is Anishinaabe Odawa from the Bear Clan, and shares wisdom and advice to support the TLDSB strategic direction. He has supported the success of the TLDSB Educational Pow Wow and Drum Socials in 2023 and 2024, and has led important Board-wide teachings on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in partnership with the Indigenous Student Success Team. TLDSB is very fortunate to have O’Connor as a partner as students, staff, and communities benefit greatly from his wisdom and guidance.
Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) teacher, Christine Carr, goes above and beyond in everything she does for students. Through many opportunities provided in and out of the classroom, she has created the conditions for physically and emotionally safe, healthy learning environments for all students. She helps students find a need within the school and develops a plan, implements, and follows through with a project to make the school a better place for students and staff. Her students have designed and created an outdoor classroom space, raised money to offset the cost of school sports, and provided countless ways to get students involved in school spirit. Carr supports many extra-curriculars and recognizes that through student leadership and student empowerment, they are more invested in their education, which ultimately leads to improved engagement and achievement.
Student leadership presentation
HHSS principal, Jennifer Mills, introduced two student leaders from the school who attended the Canadian Student Leadership Conference in early October. Grade 11 students, Hazel Jones and Aurora Wesley, spoke about their learning experience alongside 500 other students from across Canada, connections they made, and shared a video of highlights from the conference with trustees. Due to the conference being hosted in Haliburton at Camp White Pine, 25 HHSS students were also able to attend the conference!
Director’s report
Director of education, Wes Hahn, provided trustees with an update on the professional learning that has taken place in the first month and a half of the school year. Hahn noted that student attendance continues to be a focus, with an attendance pilot project currently taking place that involves regular check-ins with students and their families when needed.
EQAO results
Superintendent of learning responsible for Elementary Curriculum Services, Jay MacJanet, provided a snapshot of elementary student Education Quality Assessment Office (EQAO) results from 2023-2024 and emphasized how TLDSB uses this information to drive system instruction. MacJanet highlighted the significant growth over the last five years in both Grades 3 and 6 reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as areas the Board will focus on.
Superintendent of learning responsible for Special Education, Nikki Train, reviewed the EQAO data for students with Individual Education Plans (IEP). The results showed that there are fewer elementary students with IEPs, and that individualized, targeted support for students will continue to ensure students have what they need to be successful. At the secondary school level, Train presented the data for students with special needs and the three-year trend for TLDSB results that remain above the provincial average in Grade 9 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).
Superintendent of learning responsible for Secondary Curriculum Services, Kim Williams, highlighted the EQAO results from the secondary panel, noting individual schools who are above the provincial standard and the schools that will receive additional support to achieve the provincial standard moving forward. Williams noted two areas of focus; mathematics and reading interventions instruction to improve literacy.
Student Climate Survey
Associate superintendent of learning responsible for Mental Health Services and Safe School, Tanya Fraser, gave an overview of the 2024 School Climate Survey that took place in May. This survey asked Grade 4-12 students how they are doing within the areas of safety, belonging, environment, and mental health. Fraser noted various highlights, as well as areas of focus for the system.
2024 Board meeting schedule
Board meetings are open to the public to attend at the host location in-person. For viewing, the meetings are live-streamed and the link is made available on the tldsb.ca website on the day of the meeting.
| Meeting | Date | Time | Location |
| Public Board Meeting | November 26, 2024 | 6 p.m. | Muskoka Education Centre |
| Organizational Meeting of the Board | December 3, 2024 | 6 p.m. | Lindsay Education Centre |
*OPSBA represents English public district school boards and public-school authorities across Ontario, which together serve nearly 1.4 million public elementary and secondary students. The association advocates on behalf of the best interests and needs of the public school system in Ontario.
