Markville Secondary School
Council
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Participants: |
Admin team: Stephen Bewcyk (Principal), Debbie
Linkewich (Vice-Principal), Linda DiMarco (Vice-Principal) Student Council : Linda Xia Parents: Arjan Samtani (Treasurer), Lee Carwana (Secretary), Joyce
Chan (Chair), Elaine Wilkes |
Minutes
7:15
p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Library
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Welcome & Introductions |
Joyce/Steve |
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Approval of previous meeting minutes
– Nov minutes
approved by Linda DiMarco and Elaine Wilkes |
Joyce/All |
Student
Council Report
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In
attendance: Linda Xia 1st
dance in Nov – very successful Monthly
competition between the grades – to showcase spirit; Dec theme
– dress up as something festive, like a present Jan 16
– comfy day (ie: pajamas), in prep for exam week Valentines
day – may do candygrams, theme is Òwould you still love me if I dressed
like this?Ó Feb –
Bright & bold day; leadership club planning a wake-a-thon Mar –
skate at Centennial – possibly for H&S Foundation Mar 26
– Semi-formal (open to all grades) – currently looking at halls,
securityÉ |
Department
Presentation
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Bert Duncan, Subject Head, Geography Small
department, with 2 teachers, both having a Masters degree Mr. Draper
writes geography textbooks for schools.
Mr. Duncan co-wrote the grade 10 course, as nothing was offered by the
ministry. 7 other schools now
offer this course. Grade 9
course is mandatory. The
calendar on the school website outlines every single day – very
informative for students and parents. 3 major
tests in grade 9: 1) Climate
change project; 2) Endangered Species project – done in powerpoint; 3)
Urban planning project – designing an urban community Final exam
and culminating activity: Pick a country and discuss issues they have, how
they resolve the issues, how Canada is involved in helping, list
organizations that help them. Grade 10
– Understanding Europe & Asia Grade 11
– choice of 2 courses; 1)
Physical
geography – discuss natural disasters 2)
Travel
& tourism – students pick different places to study Grade 12
– choice of 2 courses; 1)
Canadian
and World Issues - examining the global
challenges of creating a sustainable and equitable future 2)
Environment
& Resources Management – ecosystems, challenges
of environmental degradation and resource depletion Course may
not be as popular as others as many parents may possibly focus more on future
careers than on learning, and not encourage their kids to look at this
option. Should not forget to
look beyond the skills learned to become geography teachers or urban planners
(to name a few career options), but to look at the skills learned and apply
them to many other areas – like general skills in space planning. This course helps to build well
rounded, knowledgeable students. |
Focus:
Transition Planning
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In 2005,
the government started a Òstudent successÓ initiative to transition kids into
highschool There
are 5 deliverables: 1)
Share
info 2)
Orientation
activities scheduled (how to use the library, how to access ITÉ) 3)
At
risk kids have a designated adult to act as their advocate 4)
At
risk kids have a 1st semester timetable that reflects their interests/strengths 5)
A
monitoring program with a focus on the first 2 months of school Last year,
only 6 credits were failed in grade 9, out of 270 students There is a
shared responsibility between elementary and high schools Data shows
the more credits you earn in grade 9, the more likely you will graduate (8
credits earned in grade 9 has a 75% success rate) Cluster
Transition Plan -
Regular
meetings between principals and VPÕs -
Grade
8Õs to Markville day -
Guidance
day visit to each grade 8 class -
Evening
visit to each elementary school -
Open
house at Markville Feb 11 at 7pm -
Special
Ed and ELL departments visit all schools -
Grade
8 and 9 teachers meet and discuss -
Grade
8Õs come for a tour, go to classes, BBQ at lunch -
Drama
presentation for grade 7Õs -
Parent
engagement evening -
Student
focused meetings to share student strengths and needs -
Open
discussions on at risk kids |
Council
Report
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Chair
– review full year potential agenda items List put together of
items to discuss throughout the year Feb - Parent Engagement Evening
– sub-committee should be prepared for next meeting - Strategies for
increasing parent attendance May - review of the
Constitution – make sure everyone has copies and comes prepared to
discuss - recognition –
annual staff appreciation treats day June - Annual Report |
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Treasurers Report by Arjan Samtani Balance of
$500 |
Administration
Report (Admin team)
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Information Items: Letters
have gone home ref EQAO days Staffing: 2
new teachers will be joining for the 2nd semester Exam
schedule is out, and posted on the website Report
cards go out Feb 6th Teachers
will be calling home ref any failed credits, before the reports go home No
department presentation next month – will discuss Literacy The open
house is Feb 11th from 7 – 8:30 so our meeting will start at
6:30 on Feb 11th Will try to
have a council booth at the open house where email addresses can be collected
and info can be given out ref the school council. Most parents join council when their child is in grade 9
so this is the audience we should be addressing |
Action
items for next meeting
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Approval of
the January minutes |
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Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 6:30 p.m. – 8:00
p.m. School Library
Markville Secondary School Board
Trustee: Elizabeth Richardson
Email: elizabath.richardson@yrdsb.edu.on.ca
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