Minutes from Meeting of PSSC – Quispamsis Middle School
Date: Monday, January 19th, 2014
Attendees:
Frank Carey
Holly Ellis
Darren Ferguson (Chair)
Jeff Nelson (QMS Principal)
Paula Nicholson
Phillip Patterson
Angela Sanford (Secretary)
Steve Turnbull
Susan Wilson (Vice-Chair)
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: QMS Cafeteria
Absent:
Bonnie Hierlihy
Joanne Masson
Bridget Miller (PSSC Teacher Rep)
Roger Nesbitt (DEC Rep)
Stewart Pollard
Shawna Spinks (QMS Vice-Principal)
1) Welcome/Call to Order
2) Review Desired Outcomes / Approval of Agenda
Outcomes and agenda were reviewed and approved.
3) Review Previous Minutes
The previous minutes were approved with an amendment. It was determined that the remainder of the funds
of the PSSC budget are not required for updating the outside QMS signage so the remaining funds will instead
be used in the purchase of refreshments for our parent information sessions. This decision is in keeping with
the intended purpose of the funds to be used for communication.
4) Business Arising
1. Parent Café Follow Up
The first Parent Café took place on Monday, January 12th, 2015. Due to storm conditions, attendance was very
low. On a positive note, several new parents attended and received information on how to get more involved
in the school. It was a good opportunity for QMS parents to network with other parents as well as QMS
administration.
2. Video Monitors
The video monitors purchased with the PSSC funds have been installed and are running photos and
announcements. The students are enjoying watching for their school event photos to pop up on screen.
3. Budget
The subject of the budget has been addressed under the Review of Previous Minutes and Video Monitors. See
above.
4. A video screen has been installed in the cafeteria that can be used easily with a digital projector. The plan
is to have a projector mounted on the ceiling for use with this screen. An FM system will also be installed. This
makes the cafeteria a more functional space for groups and presentations.
5. There is a breakfast program being organized by Joanne Ferguson that will be available to all interested
QMS students in the tech. lab on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:45 – 8:30 a.m. A group from St. Augustine’s
Church has volunteered to help to run it. A need was identified in the TTFM surveys that showed only 20% of
the QMS student population eats breakfast.
6. QMS will be hosting May Madness again this year. Angela Sanford has volunteered to coordinate the event.
5) New Business
1. SIP and PLWEP
The focus of the school improvement plan during this PSSC meeting was the PLWEP, the positive
learning and working environment plan which is also in the district improvement plan. For more
information on PLWEP, please refer to Policy 703 on the Government of New Brunswick website. The
indicators of success in the area of PLWEP for QMS are improvements in the Tell Them From Me
surveys and decreases in WinSchool behavior and absenteeism reports.
Many initiatives are being planned to support the PLWEP in the QMS school improvement plan. These
initiatives include May Madness, Teacher Appreciation Week, Breakfast Club, and various evening
information sessions. Also, QMS staff and students are currently working on activities to promote
school pride. One of these activities is doing an acrostic for QMS and the word pride.
2. TTFM Survey Results
Tell Them From Me surveys were completed by 444 students out of a possible 504 which is 88% of the
student population at QMS.
3. New Parent Information Document
This topic will be tabled to the next meeting to give all of the PSSC members a chance to review and
give input on any necessary modifications to the document.
4. Upcoming Information Sessions
February 10, 2015 – Internet Safety Day – A representative from the KV Police will make a presentation
on internet safety in the QMS cafeteria from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
March 17th, 2015 – Teen Stress and Anxiety –Julie McNamee & Jane Perkins-Love will be presenting in
the QMS cafeteria from 6:30-8:00 pm.
6) Issues Identification
1. It was suggested that a sidewalk be constructed in the student drop off area. The students that
arrive other than by bus have no sidewalk to lead them to the school entrance. Currently the cars
pull up directly beside snow banks leaving the students to walk alongside the drop-off traffic, or in
the warmer months, the students have to traverse a very muddy green space.
7) Meeting Schedule
The next meeting is scheduled for Mar 23rd, 2015 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. in the QMS cafeteria.