Deadline for input on Catholic high school consolidation

Delegations or individuals who want to make presentations on the possible consolidation of the board's two high schools and Holy Angels Learning Centre have until Wednesday, March 23 to submit a brief about their presentations.

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board will be hearing presentations at a special meeting on March 30.

Instructions on submitting a brief and more information about the possible consolidation can be found on the board website.

Those who want to appear before or present a brief to the board are required to apply in writing and submit a copy of the brief to the director of education by noon on March 23.

The board must wait at least 60 days from the date the motion was tabled to render a decision on it to fulfill provincial requirements on the consolidation of schools, said director of education John Stadnyk at the board's last meeting.

That's why it moved the date it would be considering the consolidation from April 20 to May 11.

There will be an opportunity for students, parents, staff and any other interested stakeholders to make presentations to the board at its March 30th meeting which will begin earlier than usual to accommodate presentations and the regular board agenda.

Then, staff will put together input from the accommodation review committee looking at the consolidation, public input and other considerations such as the age and condition of the buildings under review, to make a recommendation to the board on May 11.

Stadnyk was clear that this plan depends on provincial funding for a new school being available.

A news release from the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board follows.

************************* HSCDSB honoured by Development and Peace

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB) has been given a special recognition by the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP).

The HSCDSB received a “certificate of honour” from the organization for its work in establishing the highly successful “Walk for Justice”, in which all twenty-six schools participated last May and for collecting over $7,000 in just over a week this past fall to help those affected by a devastating floods in Pakistan.

Michel Denis, a member of the CCODP’s National Council, nominated the board after hearing about the initiative and how a group of secondary school students went a step further and brought the issue to the downtown office of Sault Ste. Marie MP Tony Martin.

“To me, this was a very positive way to show students that to bring about change you have to get your government involved. You can cry "change" 'til your blue in the face, no results will happen,” said Denis.

“What a fantastic honour,” said Board Chair Laurie Aceti. “The inaugural Walk for Justice was such an uplifting experience for everyone in the board.”

“In the fall I was impressed with the exuberance and generosity shown by the entire board in raising funds to go to the flood victims in Pakistan,” added Aceti.

The “Walk for Justice” was part of students’ learning about the work Development and Peace does around the world to improve the human condition, working as partners with the people. Schools and classrooms “adopted” developing countries that receive assistance from Development and Peace.

“Students then learned about the social, political and environmental issues that people in those countries face on a daily basis,” said St. Basil Secondary School Chaplaincy Leader Mary Anne Amadio. “While some schools raised money from the walk, which was donated to Development and Peace, the main goal was to raise public awareness of the injustices faced by people in the Global South.”

“This recognition honours the effort put forth by our school communities to make the Walk for Justice a meaningful event through awareness, education and action. It was not only embraced by our students, but by everyone who witnessed that special day last May,” said Director of Education John Stadnyk. “In September, I was just as proud to see how everyone came together once again to assist those in need.”

“On behalf of our members from coast to coast, and our partners across the world, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board for the solidarity that you have shown with the marginalized and oppressed and for your work in helping strengthen our movement. Your dedication to Development and Peace is very much appreciated,” said Pat Hogan, president of the Development and Peace National Council.

This year’s Walk for Justice will be held on May 5, 2011 during Catholic Education Week.

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