Parent Council Meeting Minutes Thursday September 18/2014 Library In Attendance: Heather Cross, Ian Mason, Leslie Rye, Cheryl Balking, Kathryn Sleves, Steve Dodge, Donna Dodge, Norah Carere, Sarah Casey, Barbara Anderson, Aniko Biro, Lori Furfaro, Ian Main and Stephen Gayfer. Item Information Person Welcome and Introductions Stephen welcomed all new members of the parent council. Stephen Gayfer Everyone introduced themselves. Hold and Secure A hold and secure took place on Wednesday Sept 17. It was Ian Main police directed. This means that the school is locked so that no one can enter. Students were kept in their period 3 class until all was clear at 3pm. Students were not allowed to rotate to their period 4 classes as we have portables and did not want students outside. Teachers can call the office if a student needs to use the washroom. Parents concerned about bus transportation if the situation lasted past 3:15. The police would have ensured that the students would be able to board their buses. Parents would be notified if there was a transportation issue. It is important to ensure that students understand the situation so they do not panic. School Improvement plan This is a 3 year plan that is driven by the Board’s Stephen Gayfer improvement plan as well as the governments goals for education. We are focusing on literacy, numeracy, public confidence in education, community and culture, school equity. We want to encourage students to reach a high level of achievement. Students that achieve a level 1 or 2 are less “continued” likely to be successful that following year. CHSS has Stephen Gayfer Direction of Parent Council consistently scored higher in applied math EQAO in grade nine than any other school. We want to enhance the public’s confidence in the education system. We promote healthy eating and life style. School equity and creating a safe environment are also being achieved. With the work of Albert Boutin we are making connections with Centennial to create more of a community between the schools. A large cleanup effort for the surrounding area was done with our schools’ students and a community barbeque was held. We want to close the gap between girls and boys. Girls seem to have a higher success rate. We have a Board of Directors that help to make connections within the community for our students. We have intramurals at lunch. Parents concerned as to how the students find out about this. They are posted outside the gym and we have announcements. Parents suggested having an announcement board and also putting it on the monitor in the office. Parents talked about having an area on our website where students can find volunteer work. Parents suggested giving them more notice about upcoming events instead of the day before. Make sure the venue is posted on the website not just the event. The question was raised as to why there is not data on the success of our school to work students. Information Parents wanted to know what they can do to support students with the literacy exam. Parents are invited to e‐
mail Stephen with any suggestions. Hoping to have guest speakers in at parent council meetings. Can bring in the English heads to speak and answer any questions that the Person Stephen and All parents may have. It was suggested that we have a student present at council to give a brief report. Asked if we had a student council and were told we have leadership students instead. Parents were invited to join the PIC committee. Parents willing to help with any fund raising ideas. Nora Carere volunteered to be the secretary and Kathryn Selves and Sarah Casey have agreed to co‐chair. Next meeting is scheduled for October 16 at 6:30 in the library. The focus for this evening will be Literacy Test – information, preparation and supports for parents.