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'Sehool board The Canadian Champion, Friday, JuIy 21, 2000 - 11 Halton public schools rank third aims to step up errhree local sehools win fitness awards Halton public students rank third in chools to offer students a well-balanced ning achools were praised for their com- PfbI1TIU1U1f'It1ITW Canada for meeting cniteria under a fît- physical education program for a mini- mitment to QDF. co m n c tol ness awsrds program. mum of 150 minutes a week, plus oppor- "They recognize that by raising stu- Improved communication and relationships are needed at the Halton District School Board, trustees were told recently. These needs emerged from development of the board's Mission 2000+ strategic plan, said the superintendent overseeing the plan. "Over and over again, people told us we're flot communicat- ing," said Beth Shelswell, the community relations/health super- intendent. "We haven't developed trust." She said the board may be communicating now, but the public doesn't always trust the message. "We need to build relationships so when we're consulting, it's baaed on trust." To improve the situation, the strategic planning committee rec- omrnended hiring a communications officer. Funding for the new position was approvedi in thse board's 2000/01 budget. Thse strategic plan was okayed unanimously and thse board's Education Director Dusty Papke aasured trustees recommenda- tions would ha followed up soon. "Most of the recommendations are built into the budget to kick stars us and get us rolling," be said. Guide future hehaviour The aîrategic planning process involves msking fundamental decisions and taking actions that will guide the future behaviour' of board employees and trustees. Communications, responsibility/accountability, equity, resources and relationsitipa were cited as the five major strategic issues. Action recommendations from the strategic plan include the following: - Establish a strategy for a communications and community relations department; - Establish a research and development function; - Investigate new modela for providing development and train- ing for ail employees; - Reproduce mission and guiding principles at the board table to refer to in decisions; - Establish a mechanism for identifying and communicsting baseline standards and processes; " Promote a climate of cooperation and sharing; " Review the new delivery model for special education. The strategic planning procesa bas taken several months and included a session last faîl where 4,500 board employees gsthered to provide feedback. "The whole proceas bas been incredibly exciting, rich and rewarding," said Milton trustee Enica Andrew. Board Chair Ethel Gardiner agreed and noted people t'rom al] areas of the region were involved. "It will make positive changes for ail kids in Halton," she said. Mr. Papkc indicated he would provide annual progress reports on thse plan's implementation, probably in May or June. MO.E *eMM RI YC QUADRUPLE YOUR MONEY. GUARANTEED Turn ($25,000) into (SIO,000*). Guarantced. By buying goverement guaranteed stripped bonds yon can capitalize on the power of compound intrest. Dramatnc Iong-term gains make srrpped bonds the R15.P investment of choice. For more information, cal Sanîta Purdy today. K. Sariea Purdy Fînancial Consultant 131 Main Street North Brampton, ON L6X 1 M9 (905) 450.6041 e 1 888 745-9919 e-mail: sarita-purdy@ca.ml.com faczUgLU Merrili Lynch Canada nei. Member - CIPF *Annual Eqaisalent rate as of 07/21/2000. Banni on Province of Ontario stripped bond -rnatsring 12/22/2022. Subject to change and availability. Twenty-five schools in the Halton District School Board have won swards in the Canadian Association of Health and Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) program. Only the Calgary and Ottawa-Carleton Catholic boards had more award-win- ning achools. In Milton, E.W. Foster, Martin Street and Robert Baldwin achools won awards. CAHPERD's prograro requires The award-winning Halton achools parsicipate in the Quality Daily Fitness (QDF) initiative, which emphasizes healthy hesets and lunga. QDF consista of student participation in daily physical activity for s minimum of 15 minutes in addition to the regular physical education program. The winning schools were presented with awards,.at a recent board meeting. Admninistrators and teachers at the win- physical activity, they are helping their students establish healthy lifelong habita that will support them in countering heart disease, obeaity and numerous other health disorders," said Sue Amos of the bosrd's achool programs depart- ment. She said the board currently has 39 schools that either have -or will introdlice QDF to their students.