Markville School Council Minutes

Monday, May 2, 2005

 

1. Introductions and Welcome

Angela welcomed everyone and introductions were made. 

Angela and Sofia came to the fashion show put on by the students and were very impressed with the professionalism of the show. 

Angela attended (late) the Youth Crime Prevention Meeting in Newmarket in April.  Alex Cory was there representing Markville S.S.

Sofia sent information by e-mail about the anti-bullying forum, but no one in attendance had gone.  Sofia will try to go to the School Council Forum on Wed. May 11.

The April minutes were approved.

 

2. Head of the Geography department – Mr. Graham Draper

The purpose of the grade 9 course is to create good Canadian citizens.  The course covers the physical, human, and economic geography of Canada with an emphasis on the environment.  There is a project on the Oak Ridges Moraine.

There is no geography course in grade 10.

There are 2 courses in grade 11, Travel & Tourism (open), and Natural Disasters (univ./coll). 

There are 3 grade 12 courses: Canada and World Issues (univ), Environmental Management (univ/coll), and Geomatics-Geotechnologies (univ/coll).

Geography is a dynamic subject and initiatives by the students in the past have included collecting old cell phones and raising money for Rwanda.  The grade 11 courses are not pre-requisites for grade 12 courses.

 

3. Student Council Representative- Heela was absent

 

4.  Treasurer’s Report - Sandy

We have recently received another $70 from the parent initiative, giving us a total of $761.  Anne has ordered a new lighting board at the cost of $10,000 and our $761 will go toward that.

 

5.  V.P. Report – Rashmi Swarup

Rashmi sent the mid-term marks by e-mail, she is learning some of Alex Cory’s job.

270 tickets have been sold already for the Thursday, June 2^nd prom.  350 is the target.

The fashion show was well-received and all proceeds will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

May 2 – 6 is Education Week, the theme is “Read to Succeed”.  The teachers have revealed their favourite book and there is a contest to match the teacher to the favourite book title.  On Wed. morning, period 2, students write the names of their favourite books, the lists will be posted in the main hall, giving good reading suggestions to other students.

On May 16 there will be a Fusion Conference on multiculturalism, some grade 10 students will be going.

Last week some students attended the Gay/Straight Alliance Conference.  Some representatives from the Gay/Straight Alliance will speak to the staff and we may possibly start a club at the school.

There was also a 2 day Character Education meeting in April.  Students attended and 2 mayors spoke.

The EQAO office phoned and chose Markville as one of 18 schools to feature on their website.  The official results will be released May 5, but Markville’s remarkable improved performance sparked the interest.  92% of first time students passed.  There was a phone interview and then they phoned back and said they wished to do a video feature.  The video will be on their website and on television as well.  Rashmi ran 3 after school sessions for students, encouraged literacy across the curriculum, and created a focus the week before the test. Rashmi has also been asked to sit on a committee to look at the cultural sensitivity of the test.  Next year the grade 10 literacy test will be in March and will be shortened to 2 ½ hours from 4.

May is South Asian Heritage Month.  Many activities are in the planning stages including cricket and a fashion show.

 

6. Principal’s Report – Anne Belanger

A number of Markville teachers have received awards this month.

Chris Hilmer was short-listed as a teacher of the year for York Region.

Sheila Coleman won the Unsung Hero Award.  She was nominated by the Markville staff for her hard work and quiet dedication.

Sandy Cole won a board award for outstanding service.

Two students won the Alliance of Black Educators award.

The senior students who created the anti-racism video were presented with a plaque and a pin from the board at a ceremony.  The video has aired on t.v.

Markville S.S. will not have to declare any teachers surplus and will be hiring some. Due to the federal funding 2 extra literacy teachers will be hired.

Jeff Wrigglesworth has been promoted to the head of music at Unionville High School.  Congratulations to him.

The History Heritage Fair is May 19.

The Justin Sherwood Run will be first period on May 27.  Justin was a senior student tragically killed in a car accident some years ago.  200 – 300 students will pay $2 to run with the proceeds going to a scholarship fund.

Drama Night will be May 26^th and 27^th.

The students decorated boxes with the character education themes and the boxes have gone to Markville Mall for the Mayor’s Youth Task Force Week.

The school received a $15,000 Learning Opportunities Grant.  Markville paired 10 male students with 10 male primary students from Central Park.  Books were purchased for the boys to read.  An African drumming group will come to the school and workshops will be held.  There will be a grade 9 boys reading group and a grade 10 girls reading group.

May 24 will be grade 8 day.  Senior students will put on a carnival and a bbq.

Alex Cory will be a V.P at Sutton H.S. next year.  Sadeshna Dutta has been hired from the Toronto board to be our V.P next year.

Anne was looking for input from the parents.  The Dr. Albert Rose Bursary Program will award a maximum of $300 to students living in rent to income geared housing or co-op housing.  The student can be headed to university / college/ or trades.  The name of an eligible grade 12 student must be submitted by July 8.

 

7.  The last meeting of the year will be Monday, June 6 at 6:30.