At this evening’s meeting, the Board was updated on ongoing work to support student mental health and well-being in schools, along with a construction update on Northglen Orchard Public School, and boundary planning for the new Highlands of Millbrook Neighborhood School, among other decisions.
Mental Health and Well-being Action Plan 2025-2026
As part of the Resource Committee Report, administration shared with Trustees ongoing work to enhance student mental health as part of the Mental Health and Well-being Action Plan for 2025-2026.
Student mental health and well-being are fundamental to student success and the report highlighted connections between student mental health and well-being in the KPR Student Achievement Plan, KPR Board Action Plan, and school improvement plans.
Administration indicated that the focus for the 2025-2026 school year is to enrich supports for student mental health by addressing gaps in current practice, strengthening existing practices to support enhanced effectiveness, and serving a larger number of students. Key elements of the Mental Health and Well-being Action Plan for this school year include:
Mental Health Promotion,
Prevention & Early Intervention,
Crisis Support and Enhanced Interventions for students unable to access community-based care,
Collaborative Care Pathways when students are engaged in community and/or hospital-based care
“Creating safe, inclusive spaces where belonging, well-being and mental health support student engagement is a key priority within our multi-year strategic plan,” says Paul Brown, Chairperson of the Board. “We know that mental health and school success are closely interrelated, and when we work together to enhance mental health for our students at school, we are enhancing their future success.”
Northglen Orchard Public School – Construction Update
Administration brought forward a report this evening updating the Board on the ongoing construction of the new Northglen Orchard Public School in Bowmanville. As a result of multiple factors, administration shared with the Board that completion of the project is delayed from its targeted opening of January, 2026.
The issues identified as contributing to the delay include, electrical service delay (the boulevard electrical service installation remains incomplete); delayed installation of roof top units, structural revisions as part of the community stair construction, and paving completion.
Administration indicated that these factors together have contributed to slowing the overall sequencing of construction toward completion.
The existing contingency plans will remain in place until completion of the project. There will be a better understanding of an expected opening date in the next couple of months.
“While we regret that the completion of the new school must be extended, these are complex capital projects that can be influenced by a number of factors,” says Brown. “We remain very excited about this new learning facility that we know will help support our growing student population in the Clarington area for many future generations.”
Highlands of Millbrook Neighborhood School – Boundary Planning
The Board continues to work toward the building of a new elementary school in Millbrook, with 481 elementary student spaces and 73 licensed child care spaces, in the recently named ‘Highlands of Millbrook’ subdivision located at Fallis Lane & County Road 10.
As part of the Resource Committee report, administration reviewed the process to establish boundaries and educational program for the new school. This process began on November 20 with a public meeting for parents and caregivers to learn more about the:
a) the establishment of school boundaries and grade structure for the new school;
b) related potential boundary adjustments for Millbrook/South Cavan Public School and North Cavan Public School.
Two grade structure models – Junior Kindergarten (JK) to Grade 6 and JK to Grade 8 – have been prepared for consideration and feedback along with two boundary adjustment models.
A Background Study, with further information on enrolment projections, and proposed boundary adjustments for the ‘Highlands of Millbrook’ neighbourhood school and other area schools, is available on the dedicated web page, and accessible from the home page of www.kprschools.ca.
Administration will be reviewing input from the November 20 meeting, along with online submissions, and bringing it to the Board prior to a second community meeting on February 26, 2026.
“We are excited to move forward with the building of this new school to support students and families, and welcome community input as we consider grade and boundary options in our planning,” says Brown.
Other decisions
Trustees also:
approved Trustee appointments to Board committees.
approved Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended August 31, 2025, be approved.
approved Accumulated Deficit transfers, as detailed in the 2024-2025 Accumulated Surplus/Deficit and Deferred Revenue Report.
approved revisions to board policies.
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