Markville Secondary School Council Meeting

Tuesday, October 3, 2006

 

  1. Elaine welcomed everyone and introduced the principal and the vice principal.

 

  1. The minutes from the September meeting were approved.  Elaine thanked Mark Melnyk for so promptly putting the minutes onto to web site each month.  The survey results have also been posted.

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report – Nancy Elliott

$135 from popcorn sales was deposited into the account in June.  Our balance is currently $431.29.  We have yet to receive the ministry funds for  06/07.

  

  1. Student Council Report – Allison was unable to attend so Debbie Linkewich read the report.  Markville has a foster child, Darmo, in Ethiopia.  Student Council is planning a fundraiser for our foster child.  Ten for ten day will be October 10th and the students will be asked to bring and donate dimes.  Student council is also looking at an adopt-an-animal program with the World Wildlife Fund.

October 10 - -athletic buy for soccer

November 21 – student council buy in - School Rocks – concert in gym

November 30 – 1st dance

The school is allowed 2 buy ins per semester, one athletic and one for school council.  The students pay to miss their last class to attend the event.

 

5.  Technology Department – Ryan Weinberg   Ryan shared information about the tech department.  He also informed us about what the tech department is doing to promote literacy.  The students write journals, work logs, and the department also has an electronic Jeopardy game.  The teacher can program questions into the game and the students have fun learning and demonstrating their knowledge.  We had a game demonstration.  It can be used for new material or to review, and it can be used for other subject areas.  Jeopardy is interactive, usually played in teams involving cooperative learning.

Courses: Communication Technology – Univ/college

               Tech Design – Univ/college

                Manufacturing, Engineering technology – high end, large scale items made

                Integrated Tech- combo of all 3 disciplines in 1 course @ 6 wk interval with 3 different teachers expert in subject area.

If a student takes 6 courses in tech, they can receive a Certificate in Technology Education at commencement.

 

  1.  Markfest 2006 – Camp Robin Hood for grade nine – Debbie Linkewich

On September 27, 249 grade nine students went for their orientation day at Camp Robin Hood with 15 staff and 41 senior students as mentors.  The objective was to build relationships, work through conflict, team building, and problem solve.  In addition to cooperative learning games, there was archery, high ropes, tennis, volleyball, basketball and wall climbing.  Student council speeches were held for the grade nine rep. 

 

  1. Chair’s Report – Elaine Wilkes
    1. Elaine thanked Joyce Chan for stepping forward to be the new vice chair for our council this year.
    2. Follow up to the Teacher Surveys – we did a group activity and Elaine will collate the results.
    3. We discussed ideas for the April 2nd Parent Engagement Evening.  Jan suggested the police could come and talk about drugs.  She also suggested that someone come and do a technology workshop ie. blogs, web sites etc.  Steve Bewcyk made a comment about cyber bullying.  Jan, Connie, and Mathiny agreed to work with Elaine to plan the April Engagement meeting.
    4. To publicize the November parent engagement evening Gerry Fitzsimmons suggested that a separate e-mail be sent, it should not be attached to the weekly newsletter.

 

  1. Parent Grade Reps

9 –

10 – York Region Music Camp was last week in Orillia

-         a comment was made about the prices not being displayed in the Markville cafeteria

                                    11 – a request was made to change the morning music

                                    12 – the history trip to Europe is coming up

      Markville is having a mini university and college fair on the evening of October 26.  Parents suggested that grade 11s be encouraged to go. 

 

9. Administrator’s Report – Steve Bewcyk

Steve suggested that next year perhaps some school council meetings could be on a Wednesday night.

Wednesday October 18 Parent’s Night – parents must sign up for interviews the week before

Monday October 16 – School Council Forum and dinner at P.E.Trudeau S.S. for admin. and 2 council members.  Nancy thought that she could attend and perhaps Joyce Chan could as well.

Steve foresees that field trips will be an issue by the end of the year due to teacher supervision responsibilities at school.  He is looking for parents who would be willing to accompany students and another teacher on future field trips.

Interim reports were sent home yesterday and today for grade nines and tens.  Interim reports are only sent home to grade 11 and 12s if they are at risk.  Mid term reports are later.

Safety week is coming up.  The students will receive brochures on bullying, and safe and supportive schools. 

October 27 and December 1 are new P.A.Days

There will be a Code Red Drill tomorrow.  EQAO math results are in and will be sent home soon.