The parent fundraising initiative / popcorn sale brought in $2388.00. After we paid for the popcorn we were left with a net of $1150.50. There are still 30 cases of popcorn to sell and the rest will be profit. Last year we earned $2100. in donations so it would seem that this community prefers to donate. Last year the money trickled in for months, hopefully more will come in. The monies raised will go toward 2 miniature computer labs. We have not yet received the $500 from the board.
Anne spoke about the school budget. The school has received additional funds from the ministry that is earmarked for literacy. She is awaiting requests from staff on how to spend the money. The school budget is based on the student population at October 30. Funds are dispersed to the different departments, the phone, photocopying. There is also the cafeteria revenue, which is more discretionary and can be used on things that the students will enjoy – e.g., motivational speakers.
School Plan – Anne has just received the feedback forms from the staff and will report to us next month. We looked at the school plan. Elaine asked if there were any test taking strategies in place for students especially with regard to EQAO. Rashmi Swarup initiated a grade 10 literacy group last year and that helped the school’s results. Anne mentioned that the staff is looking at scheduling in a half credit course for grade nines in learning strategies for next year. Literacy is a board priority and the school plan reflects that. Everything we do at Markville is focused on the literate graduate.
The student council will meet tomorrow.
The school’s birthday will be celebrated Wednesday. The school is 15 years old, the students are to wear green, blue, and white and there will be cake.
I REALIZE campaign. The student council is selling rubber bracelets that say I REALIZE. Initially the profits were for the Kids Help Phone but with the recent death of Curtis McLaren, the funds will go to the memorial for Curtis and the remainder to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. For the memorial, the students will plant a tree, and put a stone with an engraved plate on it. The money from the movie night will go to the memorial as well.
The Wake-a-thon is not a student council initiative. Two students from the grade 12 politics class have organized this event for November 17th. The theme is to wake up to the world around you and the funds will go to Hurricane Katrina.
On the Friday before the break, there was a costume parade and a haunted house.
There is at Talent Show December 8th, tryouts will be in a couple weeks.
Rent-a-grad: To raise funds for the prom, students will bid to rent out a grade 12 student as a slave for the day.
In answer to a question about the semi-formal, Amalia answered that the semi-formal is for grades 9 to 12 and is usually in April. The prom is for grade 12 students and guests and is in June.
Anne filled in some remaining dates:
Eid and Divali will be celebrated tomorrow November 8th will cultural events at lunch.
Take our Kids to Work Day is Wednesday, November 9.
The Remembrance Day Assembly is this Friday, November 11. Markville will have 4 twenty-five minute assemblies. There will be a play performed by students as well as a video started by Curtis McLaren and finished by his brother.
The Quest Conference is November 16, 17, and 18. Elaine will attend on the 16th. Four students, five staff and three administrators will attend on the other days.
Grade photos will begin November 28th for several days.
On November 29th is the Fireball Show. It is geared to grade 10 students to get them interested in science and engineering.
December 1st is National Aids Awareness Day and the school population is to wear red.
December 2nd is a P.A. Day for all in York Region.
The school has already booked the Premier Banquet Hall for commencement on Thursday, October 5th, 2006.
Grade 9 – Elaine spoke about the self-defence in phys. ed. and what a good idea it was. Deb mentioned that the geography classes will go to the Niagara Escarpment tomorrow.
Grade 10 – Judy’s son was on the languages trip in Europe on the November break. He enjoyed it and will go on the history trip next year.
Nancy’s son received the grade 10 literacy package. Students will use it in class and at home. Nancy mentioned how much last week’s break was appreciated.
Grade 11 – Patty L. mentioned that the music department sends trumpet players to different schools to play Taps for Remembrance Day Assemblies.
Grade 12 – Valerie complimented the school for how well it handled the situation around Curtis’ death. There were counsellors from the hospice here right away, and there were buses to take students to the funeral. Grade 12s are busy and stressed about university and college applications. The universities come to Markville for presentations during the day. Valerie also thanked the school for staggering the grade 12 assignments better than in previous years.
Elaine sent a sympathy card to the family of Curtis McLaren. At the funeral, the family requested that in lieu of flowers, that donations be sent to four charities, one of which is Markville S.S. A yearly $500 technology scholarship has been set up in Curtis’ honour. Other monies will go toward a piece of technology equipment.
We looked at the School Council Annual Report from last year. The role of the school council is to: - advise
- support student success
- communicate with students, school, board
- be informed (learn about school)
- learn about programs
- fundraising
- attend conferences and workshops
- bring in guest speakers to council (teachers, police, etc.)
- act as a link to community
Elaine attended the York Region Board Meeting on October 27th. The first half was giving awards to students and the second half was for school council representatives. The York Region is doing very well in their school council initiative.
The Board’s Bridges Newsletter was shared.
Anne and Elaine completed the annual People for Education survey on our behalf.
Elaine will come to school to do some pruning of the shrubs out front and Nancy volunteered to join her. The school has put a railing out front to steer the students out of the shrubs near the smoking corner. New planters and picnic tables have been added this year and the lights in the parking lot have been fixed.
There was a discussion about whether or not we would send out another letter requesting donations from parents. It was agreed that we would and that we should include it with the mid-term reports, which go home on the 16th of November.
Next meeting
is Monday, December 5th at 7:15 in the library.