UPPER CANADA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
UCDSB Director's Annual Report Reflects on the Student Voice and Inclusive Learning Experiences for the 2020-2021 Academic Year

Showcasing strategic plan initiatives, staff innovation and the student voice, the 2020-2021 Upper Canada District School Board's Director's Annual Report is now available to the community.

While the report meets an annual Ministry of Education requirement, it's also an opportunity for UCDSB Director Ron Ferguson to highlight how the school board has progressed with its goals and reflect on the past year. 

"What we witnessed in both our classrooms and remote learning experiences is something we'll never forget. While academic achievement is a key element tied to student success, we also ensured the 2020-21 school year centered on our students' well-being," says Ferguson. "This report shares those real stories of how our staff, students and community partners persevered, adapted and progressed during a second year of pandemic learning."

The report tells the story of success and hard work, on behalf of UCDSB staff and students from across our district. Some examples include the UCDSB meeting the $ 1.5 million fundraising milestone for the Terry Fox Foundation, menstrual product dispensers being installed with free products in all UCDSB schools, a BCI student sharing their message of how to better support our LGBTQ+ students, an elementary student who raised $ 5,000 for a classmate's new wheelchair, and an 84-year-old man earning his high school diploma.

The report outlines the school district's progress and success using the four key areas of the UCDSB Strategic Plan: Collaboration, Resources, Educational programs and Wellness (CREW). The Board of Trustees identifies the CREW concept as critical success factors that influence learning, the student school experience, the school programming relevancy, as well as demonstrate a commitment to improving staff and student wellness.

"Our staff truly stepped it up for our students, especially as we transitioned to remote learning twice in the year and their creativity, inclusivity and resiliency are commended," says Ferguson. "Also, we made sure to pass the microphone over to our students so we could hear directly from them on their learning experiences and overall mental health."

Ferguson presented the report to the Board of Trustees and to the public at the Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 1, 2021.

"I always look forward to reading the report to get a bird's eye view of our past year," says UCDSB Chair John McAllister. "We can see where we've been as well as where we're going in order to continue to live out our mission to prepare all students for a successful life."

The full report can be viewed online.