ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting – Tuesday, October 23, 2012
ATTENDANCE:
Jason Boily (Vice-Principal)
Maria Borsato (Chaplain)
Maria Canning (teacher Rep.)
Dan Compagnon (Principal)
Sarah Donovan (Chairperson)
Michele Drenters (Secretary)
Leslie Marchand (Vice Principal)
Kathy McQuire (Vice Principal)
PARENTS:
Mirla Alvarado-Fenn
John Creighton
Gena DiGiovanni
Nicola Gibbs-Reilly
Lorraine Hoareau
Helen Kearney
Helen MacNeil
Valerie Peters
Anne Plunkett
Graciela Ransom
Dina Scheitzbach
Debra Tucker-Arango
REGRETS:
Julie Cromie
Toni DiFranco (Vice Principal)
Nadia Fiume
Anna Maria Foldhazi (Parish Rep.)
Rochelle Keil-Caspersz (Treasurer)
Donna Luciani
CALL TO ORDER Meeting began at 7:12 pm
OPENING PRAYER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve September 25, 2012 minutes made by Graciela Ransom, seconded by Lorraine Hoareau,
approved by council.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion to approve October 23, 2012 agenda made by Valerie Peters, seconded by Dina Scheitzbach,
approved by council.
STUDENT COUNCIL REPORT: Shawn Xaviour & Marcus Fichtinger
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Student Council members were not present at the meeting.
REPORT FROM THE TREASURER: Rochelle Keil-Caspersz
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$3228.74 current balance general account.
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$2000.00 current parent grant funds balance. ($500 Parent Involvement grant funds for grade 9
parent event should come out of this account – was reported as a debit on general account.)
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$1532.47 from general account is to go towards the Peace Garden in the spring.
REPORT FROM THE PARISH REP.: Michele Drenters on behalf of Anna Maria Foldhazi
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There will be a Youth Group retreat presented by Net Ministries entitled ‘Camouflaged’ on Saturday,
October 27th at St. Anthony of Padua Church.
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The parish has noted that Aquinas will be holding a RAP info session and open house on Thursday,
November 8th at 6:45 pm.
REPORT FROM THE DRAPCE REP.: Valerie Peters
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Valerie asked for those who are interested in receiving any DRAPCE communications to provide her
with an e-mail address.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR: Sarah Donovan
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Region of Peel water main construction projected to take 2 years could affect traffic flow into the
school.
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Recent Brampton Guardian articles on student obesity and mental health were discussed. Five nurses
have been hired by the Province for Peel School Boards.
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Aquinas has 3 Child Youth Workers, 2 Social Workers and 2 psychologists. This is more than the
average school in Peel has. This is a direct result of our Urban & Priorities grant funding.
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Sarah wanted clarification on who “should have” Police criminal reference checks. Dan advised that
he and staff determine who requires a criminal check based on their level of interaction with the
students.
REPORT FROM THE CHAPLAIN: Maria Borsato
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ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting – Tuesday, October 23, 2012
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Friday Night Lights at Chinguacousy park was a great success. Over 1500 attended to watch the 3
games (Girls flag football, Junior Boys football & Senior Boys football). There was a large demand for
spirit wear. Athletic council will be looking into this.
The 3rd annual HarvestFest will take place Friday, October 26th from 5:30 to 9pm. Tickets are $5 for
adults, $4 for students and $3 for children. Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween
costumes. The goals of the event are threefold:
1. To provide a safe environment for kids to Trick or Treat.
2. Further familiarize new students with the school, and
3. As a recruitment tool to influence the community.
The Terry Fox event went well and was a positive experience, despite the inclement weather. It was
a voluntary event during period 2. Approximately 800 students participated.
November 1st is All Souls Day. There will be an afternoon mass. Gene Odulio’s photograph will go up
in the chapel. The football team will attend the mass.
Remembrance day celebrations will take place on November 9th.
To celebrate father Tobin’s 50th anniversary as a priest, commemorative calendars will be sold for
$10 each. Father Tobin has asked that the money raised be used to commission a set of stations of
the cross for St. Marguerite D’Youville Church. Maria has a few calendars. They can also be
purchased at the church. On October 13, 2013 there will be a dance to celebrate Father’s
anniversary.
STAFF REPORT: Maria Canning
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The school year is off to a good start. There are lots of activities for students to partake in, both
athletic and otherwise.
REPORT FROM THE VICE PRINCIPALS: Leslie Marchand, Kathy McQuire & Jason Boily
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Vice Principal, Toni DiFranco has been off ill. She will be returning in a few weeks. The school board
does not provide supply staff to cover for administration staff. Aquinas’ administration staff have
been working together to cover Toni’s role in her absence.
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The RAP open house for grade 8 students is on November 8th at 6:45 pm. The evening will include
tours, class visits, presentations and demonstrations.
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The open house for grade 8 mainstream students will be on November 22nd.
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Aquinas has submitted an application to participate in Brampton’s Santa Claus Parade on November
17th. The theme will be “Red City” with 75 – 100 representatives from different groups in the school
wearing spirit wear participating as marchers and dancers. The decision will be made on October
26th.
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Parents Night was held on October 18th. There was a good turnout of parents.
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Mid term reports go out on November 15th. November 16th is a PA day.
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Exams start on January 23rd.
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November 6th is half term date for students with .5 credit courses i.e Civics.
REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL: Dan Compagnon
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Mid term reports come out in mid November. If a student has a poor mid term report it can be
salvaged as term work is worth 70% of the final term mark and the culminating activity is worth
30%. All course outlines are on the STA website.
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The ministry signed a contract with OECTA. They have used this a basis to legislate agreements with
other teachers unions.
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There will be 3 unpaid teaching days in the second year of the contract, this includes Administrators
as well as teachers. PA days will be used to fill those 3 days. This makes one question how much the
Ministry values the professional development of teachers.
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Teachers can use their judgement to select the assessment they want to use i.e. CASI.
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Teachers felt that data collection/testing was cutting into time for teaching students.
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At the secondary school level, EQAO and literacy tests are the only mandated assessments.
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With respect to fair hiring practices:
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Schools must look at the seniority of candidates for permanent or long-term contracts.
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The school board is in the process of redoing the list of occasional teachers available for placement in
schools and separating it into 2 sections. 1. Supply teachers and 2. Contract teachers.
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Criteria for teachers to make the list include having 2 reference letters from Principals, a current
pastoral reference letter, attending interviews held by the board on November 24th, submitting
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ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting – Tuesday, October 23, 2012
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applications for positions and meeting minimum standards with respect to amount of previous
teaching time.
Retirees previously were returning to teach up to 90 days per year. That has now been reduced to 50
days per year maximum.
OTHER BUSINESS
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A parent enquired about the status of the left turn lane at the intersection near the school. Time has
been added at both ends of the light sequence.
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There is an issue with truck traffic on Torbram Road. Several parents reported heavy trucks using
Torbram Road, which should be prohibited as per a City of Brampton bylaw. Sarah Donovan will look
into this.
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A parent enquired about fees for students taking part in extra-curricular activities/teams. Dan
advised that the coaches and the school’s Athletic Director manage the budget for athletics. The
school provides support towards clubs/teams and tries to keep funding proportional to the number of
students involved. Transportation continues to be a large part of the expenses.
20012 – 2013 SCHOOL COUNCIL FUTURE MEETINGS (7:00 p.m., Library)
November 27, 2012
February 12, 2013, preceded by literacy meeting at 6:30 pm
April 16, 2013
May 21, 2013
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was concluded at 8:26 p.m.
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