September 1, 2018
Kate Diakiw, Superintendent of Education
Student Services
Dear Kate,
The Board of Trustees and the Senior Team have workedcollaboratively with our community to renew our Strategic Plan. As a leadership team, we have aligned the Director’sAnnual Plan and Board Improvement Plan to meet the priorities and goalsoutlined by trustees. Additionally, wehave successfully put into routine practice the Minister’s Directions. In short, our leadership team is poised toalign our efforts and work, to collaborate with precision and diligence toensure positive outcomes are met for students, families and staff.
As the Superintendent of Student Services, you support thedevelopment, implementation and monitoring of the board’s Well-Being Strategy;oversee special education programs and services; collaborate with the SpecialEducation Advisory Committee (SEAC) to develop the board’s special educationplan; and ensure students are provided support from regulated professionals.
- To enhance our alignment of purpose, I am asking that youwork on the following specific priorities during the 2018-2019 school year thatcomplement your role as Superintendent of Student Services.
- Review the board’s claims-based funding practices forMinistry funding
- Continue to support SEAC to elevate parent and advocatevoice for the betterment of programs and services and align SEAC by-laws tolegislation and effective practices
- Lead the refinement of the board’s Well-Being strategy toreflect a tiered model of support for students and leverage the resourcesdeveloped by Mental Health ASSIST
- Review third party supports for students and align theboard’s practices to legislation and other obligations while maximizing supportfor students and families
- Maximize student attendance at school by developing,implementing and monitoring effective practices that support student needs
- Continue to innovate, implement and monitor programs,supports and services (such as the Executive Functioning Pilot) to inform ourpractice
- Lead the creation of a department plan that is aligned tothe Director’s Annual Plan and includes all elements of a logic model inclusiveof data and evidence
- Embed evidence gathering and monitoring in all elements ofyour practice.
I ask you to consider the above priorities and develop animplementation plan that includes timelines, outcomes and performanceindicators. In our meetings, I will askthat you provide updates to progress as appropriate.
Thank you for your leadership Kate and I look forward to workingalongside you in the 2018-2019 academic school year.
Sincerely,
Louise Sirisko
Director of Education
York Region District School Board