Markville School Council Minutes “Pending Approval”

Monday, October 3, 2005

 

  1. Welcome and Introductions – Elaine Wilkes

Elaine had made name tags for everyone and it was agreed that they were a terrific idea.  Elaine thanked Sofia Alim and Anne Belanger for all their help and guidance in the past month as she learned the chair’s job.

Sandy Moriarty agreed to be treasurer again this year.

Amalia, our student council representative was introduced.  She is a grade 12 student, and is the secretary of student council as well as the liaison between the 2 councils.

There was a discussion about the minutes.  They were not put on the website this month and were not sent to members.  We discussed whether or not they should be put on the website if they had not been approved.  It was decided that they could be posted with a “pending approval” warning, in order to keep the parents up to date.

 

2.      Student Council Representative – Amalia

The September events were planned in June.  The student council began with SAC Attack (formerly Markville Mayhem).  School ended early for the day and there were inflatable games to play and the club and team sign ups took place at the same time.  The car wash had to be postponed until September 30.  The funds raised were for the grad committee and prom. 

The dance on September 22 was a big success.  There were a couple problems with guests and school council is investigating more security or no guests for the dance next year.

The grade 9 orientation day at Camp Robin Hood was considered to be a huge success.  They also had the grade 9 speeches for student council on this day.

October

4 – Mascot tryouts The Markville mascot is a giant horse (Maverick)

6 – Commencement

12 – Leafs day – come dressed as a fall leaf or a Maple Leaf

28 – Halloween day – come to school dressed up.  Pictures will be taken and sold in the student store

In the works- Scary Movie Night

Charity Event – student council will be selling rubber “I REALIZE” bracelets to raise money for Kids’ Help Phone

 

3.      Treasurer’s Report – Sandy Moriarty

There are currently no funds in our account.

 

4.  Fundraising – Tim Armstrong and Elaine Wilkes

We will be holding a popcorn drive at the Parents Night October 19 to raise funds for computers for the business department and the history department.  The computers have arrived and we need to pay for wiring.  Perhaps the popcorn drive could be advertised on the weekly Markville e-mail.  Elaine and Tim will make signs to advertise popcorn at Parents’ Night.  We’ll sell the popcorn from the store.  Elaine will wait until after we have been assigned our interview times to ask us to volunteer at the store.  Perhaps we could sell the popcorn at the scary movie night.  Unopened boxes must be sent back 2 weeks after they arrive.  We’ll send a follow up letter home if we have popcorn leftover with a tear-off section for donating money to the school.  Cheques should be mad to Markville S.S.  Donations of more than $25 will be issued a receipt from the board.

 

5.       Grade Representatives

Grade 9 – Joyce and Raj heard very positive reports about Camp Robin Hood.  The kids were questioning the popcorn fundraiser.  One student thought that the band at the dance was to loud.  There were positive reports about SAC Attack.

There was a question about why Markville goes to Camp Robin Hood instead of an overnight camp.  Anne said the cost was too prohibitive to go overnight.

Grade 10 – Nancy and Judy also reported a negative reaction to the popcorn fundraiser but we’re targeting parents, not kids.  There is a trip through the Modern Languages department to Paris, Provence, and Barcelona for the first week of November.

Grade 11 – no report

Grade 12 – Deb spoke about the York Region Music Camp at Camp Wahanowin from September 21 to 25th.  It was open to all music students in York Region.  There was a performance on the Sunday afternoon for the parents and it was amazing.

A parent questioned the purpose of the vacation in November.  Another parent responded that the students are under a great deal of stress at that time, absences are up, suspensions are up, but the first week off in November seems to alleviate that stress.  The school found the week to be very successful last year.

 

6.      Principal’s Report – Anne Belanger

There will be a motivational speaker in the school on October 19, periods one and two for grades 9 and 10. 

Parent’s night is Wednesday, October 19th from 6 to 8 p.m.  The students should be bringing home sheets for parents and teachers to sign in the next week.

Responding to a question about the all year math / phys.ed., Anne reported that the phys.ed department is pleased.  We will see the fitness testing results from the fall and the spring.  Also, the students will be able to participate in all the seasonal sports.  The school is curious to see how the grade 9 EQAO math results will be affected.  All grade 9s will write the math EQAO in June.

Anne handed out the results of the safety audit.  In the past, all visitors to the school were to report to the office and wear a VISITOR badge.  Unfortunately, the visitors often left with the badge.  It was suggested that the school hand out sticky labels with the school stamp instead.  The school did a lockdown drill on September 27th.  At this time it was realized that the school needs outside speakers and another two way radio.

Some Markville students have been trained in peer mediation.  These students are trained to deal with conflicts involving other students.  It has been suggested that these students go to the elementary schools and teach the grade 8s how to peer mediate.

The Quest conference is Wednesday, November 16.  Anne asked if any parents would consider attending the first day of the conference which has a community focus.  It is at the Sheraton Parkway.  Elaine and Tim will check their calendars and get back to Anne.

 

7.      Communication – Tim

Tim suggested that we have a Christmas themed coffee/cake/social hour at the December school council meeting and invite lots of parents to ask about the success of the first term.

He also suggested that we get a representative from either Queens Park / Markham Council to speak at the January meeting.

 

8.      Vice Principal’s Report – Rashmi Swarup

Rashmi spoke about the e-mail issues.  Parents who have given the office their e-mail addresses should get a Friday e-mail about attendance and upcoming events.  Sometimes we won’t get an e-mail about attendance if attendance has been perfect.  This is a monumental task and Rashmi is working through the kinks.

 

Next meeting – Monday, November 7, 2005