Upper Canada school board chairman retires gŏđŏ editionap.ca
ler schools with lower student numbers and amalgamating those education catchba- sins with other neighbouring schools, and also building new schools in other areas to meet growing local populations. “It (Building 2020) was one of the hardest things I ever had to do,” Pietersma said. “When I was first elected I never thought I would be championing closing schools. But I became aware of the challenges of run- ning small schools, that they couldn’t offer our students rich experiences with such small numbers in the classroom. We had to put our students first.” The Building 2020 process resulted in a Grades 7 to 12 model for UCDSB secondary schools, confirmed equal access to French immersion and core French language pro- gramming throughout the Upper Canada district. Pietersma was also involved in develo-
ping the UCDSB’s accountability framework to support the CREW Strategic Plan for meeting trustees’ objectives for student achievement. He also championed the use of social media as part of the district’s public com- munication strategy with both parents and students, and also promoted the use of iPads, smartphones, and other personal communications and data devices in the classroom. His last goal now as outgoing chairman is overseeing the stricter zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use involving students at school functions. The policy in- cludes reactivating and expanding the pre- sence of Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving chapters at area schools. “We must have the courage to keep our students safe,” stated Pietersma. “They’re too important not to.”
GREGGCHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca
CHESTERVILLE |He fought for local control over decision-making in the Upper Cana- da school district, brought the board itself into the social media maelstrom of the 21st Century, and kept the district’s focus fixed on improving student achievement levels. Now Greg Pietersma plans to step down as chairman of the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB). He announced that he will not seek re-election as the Dundas County school trustee in this year’s autumn civic election after a decade spent in the education politics arena. “I view the job of trustee and chair as a significant commitment,” stated Pieters- ma, explaining that he wants to refocus his efforts on his own business, Pietersma Tinworks, hand other things. “There is no schedule really, because things happen and you have to constantly change your day,” he stated, “and reflect on solving problems because public education is so important. There are other projects I want to pursue and, in order to be fair to the job of trustee, I want to step back and let someone else pick up the baton.” More time to devote to his family also fi- gured in Pietersma’s decision to step down as both chairman and school trustee.
Photo UCDSB
“One of the things that galvanized my decision is that my son, Sam, has joined my company, and I want to take the time needed to help develop his skills and pro- vide him the mentorship he needs going forward.” During his 10 years with the UCDSB, Pie- tersma has represented Dundas County and also sat as first vice-chair and later chair- man. He oversaw the Building 2020 process which revamped the Upper Canada school district setup, including closing down smal-
Champions for Kids breakfasts
The Champions for Kids Foundations is serving up breakfast as part of a spring fundraising campaign. The first event is April 23 at Russell High School in Russell Township, the next is April 24 at the Thousand Islands Secondary School in Brockville, third April 25 at Cor- nwall Collegiate and Vocational Institute at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Perth,
through co-sponsorship with the Perth and District Collegiate Institute, while the last is April 29 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Perth, through co-operation with the Perth and District Collegiate Institute. Admission for the first three is by dona- tion. The Perth breakfast has a $10 admissi- on charge. All proceeds go to help students in need enjoy organized sports and arts.
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