Date:
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Present: Anne Belanger (Principal), Susan Brown, Jan Christen, Dan DiGravio (English Department), Nancy Elliott, Angela Hill (Co Chair), Kelly Iwamoto, Patty Luubert, Valerie Milligan, Sandy Moriaty (Treasurer), Barb Munro, Heela Omarkhail (Student Council), Sharron Regan, Deb Rhodes (Secretary), John Roberts (Guidance Department Representative), Rashmi Swarup (Vice Principal), Linda Valley,
Angela introduced herself and apologized for not being able to make the September meeting. The entire group introduced themselves.
The September minutes had been sent by e-mail to everyone, as will the October minutes. The minutes will also be posted on the school council website which can be linked through the school website. We will also post a list of the monthly speakers for council meetings.
Angela had forms for the picture retakes. The students must pay in advance. Picture re-take day is October 6.
There have been four student council meetings so far this year. The entire council is new and they are feeling their way through their new positions. There has been one spirit day this year – a pyjama day. There may be one or two more spirit days in October.
The grade nine
orientation day was September 29 at
For outreach
programs, the school has begun a food drive, will be raising money for
We also discussed the Commencement at LeParc on September 30. 200 students attended, 700 guests and 100 staff. Next year the commencement will be the Thursday before Thanksgiving.
Dan gave us an overview of the high school English program. Although four English credits are required in high school, there are many options available. Grade 11 and 12 in particular have a vast array of choices. Dan teaches the grade 12 Studies in Literature course which has an area of concentration in science fiction and fantasy. They read Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and A Brave New World.
The grade 10 Literacy test is in October and a large portion of the grade nine year is spent preparing for it.
The Canadian Mental Health Association has partnered with Markville to deliver a program with a social anxiety support group. Alexandra Beck from CMHA has surveyed all grade 9s and 10s to determine who would benefit from the group. Participation is voluntary.
The guidance department visits all grade nine classes to talk to the students about the function of the guidance department.
The guidance department is really busy right now with the college/university application process. Last year Markville had 382 grads and 322 were offered admission to university, we have not received our college acceptances as of yet.
The guidance
department also spends time visiting presentations from colleges /
universities. John had recently been to
a presentation put on by universities in the
The YRDSB has a Career Centre. Markville is permitted to send 4 students per month. The students will spend one day with a career counsellor discussing their interests,/strengths/ goals/ and a career education plan. It is located at Yonge and 16th.
We went downstairs to visit the best buddies program. Best buddies are special needs students paired with regular students for fun and friendship.
The grade 10 EQAO Literacy test will be October 27 and 28. 266 grade 10 students will be writing, 22 grade 11 and 12 students will be writing for the first time and 78 will be retaking the test. There are 3 sections of after school literacy classes which meet twice a week until the test.
October 27 and 28 will be late
start days for students. Students not
writing the test will begin classes at
The school has a literacy resource teacher for the first time.
October 14 is parents’ night. Parents must sign for interview with the teachers.
Tuesday October 19 there is a meeting for all school council executive members at Pierre Elliott Trudeau, sponsored by the YRDSB.
Last week the school had their Code Red Drill. The alarm was sounded, the classes were checked, the doors were locked and then the school was up and running again in 4 minutes.
The school raised $550 for the Terry Fox Run.
Adrienne Chong and Mark Melnyk were recognized in a ceremony at the board of education for having won the Governor-General’s Award of Excellence in Teaching Canadian History.
Anne feels that the students continue to be less stressed than last year. The absenteeism and suspensions are way down from last year.
The police will visit the school council in November.
The Safe School Committee will start up again later this year.
Angela and Sofia worked on the letter that will go to parents. It will be given out at the parent night on October 14.
Treasurer’s Report
There was $150 in the bank account in June and there is currently $231.89. We should receive $500 from the board at any time.
Valerie Milligan questioned whether the week off in November will be a vacation or would the students be receiving homework?
Anne said that the teachers have been repeatedly made aware that they are not to assign homework for the week. However, if the students have some outstanding work or studying to do, that would be a good time to get caught up.
The next
meeting will be Monday, November 8 at
· The police will be in attendance.
· Department Heads: Music and History
· It was also suggested that the South Asian Culture power point presentation that Rashmi helped some students put together be shown to the school council. It was prepared for the teachers, for them to be aware of cultural differences.