Markville School Council

Minutes

Monday, June 6, 2005

 

  1. Introductions and Welcome

Angela started the meeting and thanked Anne for the dinner.  Introductions were made around the table.  Angela drafted a letter to go home with the report cards about the function of the school council and our contributions to the school.

 

  1. Sandy Cole – Special Education

Sandy spoke with enthusiasm about landscaping the front of the school.  Through applications to initiatives, the school received 6 shrubs this spring.  She has met with a consultant from Markham Blooms who has suggested that the school come up with a design plan and then break it up into do-able chunks to tackle each year for several years.  She was told that the town of Markham would match up to $175 spent on beautification projects.  She will contact other businesses in town for help.  Canadian Tire has already given us $500.  Perhaps the best buddies program will assist with the planting.

It was suggested by a parent who is a member of Markham Blooms that the town may match up to $500.  Patti Luubert suggested we call Home Depot.  Kim Sikora offered to donate hostas from her garden.

 

  1. Mark Nicholson – History

The history department has just had their heritage fair.  The students created pavilions/booths to make history come alive.  The history department had a field trip to Italy and Greece last November during the week off.  In an interest to develop technology in history, all courses are on the history website www.markvillehistory.com  All lessons for all grades are posted.  The school has 24 laptops – a lab on wheels – that the history department uses.  The computers are brought into classrooms to enable research.  Several Markville history students are recipients of large scholarships this year, 3 students will receive $12000 to $18000 for their university studies next year.  The history department has 26 sections of history and they are so successful because the teachers try to make history fun, interesting, and relevant.  Careers in history include law, politics, teaching, but studying history involves analytical skills.

 

  1. V.P. Report Alex Corry

The student council has been elected for next year.  There will be an in-council bi-election for a vacant position.  Markville Mayhem was cancelled due to weather on the day the grade 8s visited the school.  It will be replaced by Sack Attack on the first Friday afternoon after the summer.  There will be inflatables for jumping, games and the club sign up.

Mr. Corry has scheduled the grade nine classes for next year, and the grade 10, 11, and 12 are mostly done.  The staff will look at scheduling conflicts with students in June. 

The students have their exam timetables.

Grade nine math EQAO is this week.

The prom went well last Thursday night, with 270 students in attendance.

The character awards will be given at the assembly on June 28.  The exam feedback will be 8:20 to 10:45 and the assembly will then go to 12:15

Alex Corry will be a vice principal in Sutton in September and said goodbye to us.  Angela presented him with a card.

 

  1. Principal’s Report – Anne Belanger

Anne thanked the school council and gave everyone volunteer certificates.  She introduced Suzie Nunes to us, Mrs. Nunes will replace Alex Corry as our new V.P.  Mrs. Nunes comes from Stouffville.

The Athletic Banquet is Wednesday June 8 period 1 & 2.  They will have a special breakfast with the athletic awards.

The Music banquet is Wednesday evening.

The grad barbecue will be Friday June 10, last period.  The teachers cook and the teachers and students put on skits.

Markville will have a calculus AP course next year.

Markville will have 3 Swiss student teachers fro Sept. 12 to Oct. 9 in music, phys. ed. and history.

Commencement will be Oct. 6, the Thursday before Thanksgiving. 

There will be staffing changes in the fall, 2 teachers will be on maternity leave, 3 teachers will be on 4 for 5, 1 will be transferred to Keswick, 1 teacher will be on an education leave, and 2 teachers will be promoted to department heads at other schools.

Due to changes in the staffing formula, 12 teachers are needed to replace the 9 teachers leaving.  Almost all have been hired already.

 

  1. Other Business

Junk Food and Jazz was mentioned as a very successful event.

The York Region Board of Education invites all school council members to attend the June 16 board meeting.

The meningitis C clinic at Markville S.S. was not well attended.

Angela and Sofia will run the September school council meeting.  At that time we will discuss if we wish to remain the same format or if we would like to have grade representatives.