ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting – Tuesday, April 16, 2013
ATTENDANCE:
Jason Boily (Vice Principal)
Dan Compagnon (Principal)
Sarah Donovan (Chairperson)
Michele Drenters (Secretary)
Leslie Marchand (Vice Principal)
Lindsay McMahon (Staff Advisor)
PARENTS:
John Creighton
Gena DiGiovanni
Chitwan Gulati
Lorraine Hoareau
Valerie Peters
Dina Scheitzbach
REGRETS:
Kristina Burns
Maria Borsato (Chaplain)
Donna Luciani
Anna Maria Foldhazi (Parish Rep.)
Rochelle Keil-Caspersz (Treasurer)
Shawn Xaviour (Student Council)
CALL TO ORDER Meeting began at 7:03 pm
OPENING PRAYER
Based on a prayer from Education for Justice, the prayer was a reflection on the recent tragedy in Boston.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve February 12, 2012 minutes made by John Creighton, seconded by Lorraine Hoareau, approved by council.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion to approve February 12, 2013 agenda made by Valerie Peters, seconded by Dina Scheitzbach, approved by council.
REPORT FROM THE STUDENT COUNCIL: Shawn Xaviour & Julia Giraudi
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This week is Spirit week. Student Council is selling stuffed cardinals for $10 each. There will be a contest to ‘name the cardi’.
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Multicultural day is May 14 th . There will be activities during the school day and evening shows for the school community. All are welcome. Info will be on the school web site and go out via the telephone message system. Ticket prices to be confirmed. 10 countries represented so far.
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Tentative Carnival date is June 4 th . 150 tickets have be sold so far. Ms. McMahon is the advisor to the students.
REPORT FROM THE TREASURER: Dan Compagnon on behalf of Rochelle Keil-Caspersz
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$1,548.47 balance in general account.
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$2,180.27 balance in Parent Involvement grant account.
Part of this funding can be applied to supporting council members is attending certain events.
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$700.00 PRO Grant – to be used for Funny Money presentation for parents on May 7th.
REPORT FROM THE DRAPCE REP.: Valerie Peters
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DRAPCE PRO Grant event – Saturday, May 4 th , 8:30 am – 12pm at St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary
School. Keynote speaker will be Michael Reist on Raising Children with Character in the 21 st Century.
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OAPCE Conference & AGM – Will take place on May 24 th & 25 th in Peterborough. Keynote Speaker will be Michael Reist on ‘How to get involved. How to stay involved. Why our schools need parents.’
There will also be 14 other engaging workshops.
REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL: Dan Compagnon
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Memo of understanding signed with OECTA. OSSTF and elementary school teachers unions have signed agreements. There are not a lot of details at this time. Dan will share details as they become available.
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Renovations to room 202, a classroom formerly used to teach printing, are being discussed.
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There are 80 surplus teachers board-wide at the secondary school level. Aquinas will be getting 3 new teachers from the surplus list. Ms. Hawkins has a new role, Mr. Martin and Ms. McQuire are retiring.
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Timetabling for the 2013-2014 school year has started. The staffing level for 2013-2014 is 2,050.
Current staffing level is for 2,039 students. STA needs 2051 students to prevent shuffling of students and classes mid year. The goal is to have 2070 students.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting – Tuesday, April 16, 2013
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5 Year students are limited to 34 credits maximum. The Ministry does not fund students with over 34 credits.
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Recognition of Math Improvement video featured Aquinas and resulted in increased attention for the school.
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Dan attended the Ontario Leadership Congress last Wednesday. All Principals and Superintendents province-wide were there. The initiatives that St. Thomas Aquinas have implemented to gain improvements in measurable categories was highlighted at the event.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR: Sarah Donovan
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The Funny Money PRO grant evening presentation will take place on May 7 th . Posters were circulated for those in attendance to take with them to put up around their communities. Sarah asked for volunteers to help with the event.
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PRO grant applications for 2013-2014 must be submitted before the end of May. Council is in need of suggestions/ideas for the application.
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The Peace Garden will be funded using Parent Involvement grant account funds.
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School Council will host Grade 9 orientation for parents once again this year. Date for the event is
Thursday, August 29 th .
REPORT FROM STAFF:
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April 6, Aquinas participated in the Brampton Arts in Bloom festival at the Rose Theatre. Grade 9 drama students did a Holy Thursday presentation.
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Godspell performances run May 1 st - 3 rd
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West Side Story runs May 23rd – 25 dinner theatre.
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RAP Awards will be on May 28 th . th
in the Cafetorium. in the Brian Dunn Theatre. Thursday’s performance will be a
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Just Dance, the Spring dance showcase, will be on June 6 th .
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At the Sears Festival in February, Aquinas won 3 awards (2 for acting, 1 for writing).
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Connections event for incoming grade 9 students will take place on May 29
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Student trustee elections will take place on Thursday, April 18
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There will be a lockdown drill on Thursday during lunch.
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School Climate Survey for staff is open now. Parent and student surveys have already been completed. th th .
. 2 students are running for election.
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The Sports Specialist High Skills Major course has been unofficially approved. STA now has 3 SHSMs including Film & Theatre and Graphics.
REPORT FROM THE CHAPLAIN: Dan Compagnon on behalf of Maria Borsato
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The Lenten plan was a success.
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There was a day of sacrifice 1 day each week during Lent. Students refrained from gossiping, texting, swearing, junk food, etc. for a day.
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There was a pilgrimage to St. Anthony’s church. Over 200 students participated in carrying the cross.
Father Mullins said mass. Drama teacher, Mr. Mike Ferro, organized a theatrical depiction of the crucifixion.
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May 9 & 10 will be the March for Life in Ottawa. 40 – 50 students will be participating.
REPORT FROM VICE PRINCIPALS: Jason Boily
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Shop teachers have committed class time from June 4 th – 7 th for working on the Peace Garden.
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Need to provide teachers with the budget and any ideas we have for the garden.
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They will provide a draft of the plan in May. 14, 13 Garden is to be located near the PIP classroom area. Sarah Donovan will refer to minutes to confirm the amount Council has committed for this project.
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The Ontario Secondary Schools Literacy Test (OSSLT) was cancelled in Dufferin-Peel because of the weather. The test will be rescheduled later this Spring. Date to be confirmed. An alternate test will be used as some students in the province have already written the test. Assistive technology will be permitted for IEP students. Any graduating students who need to have pass confirmation of the test will be marked first as they need this to graduate.
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Instrumental and music students will be going to Philadelphia from Friday to Monday for the Rhythms
Music festival.
2012 – 2013 SCHOOL COUNCIL FUTURE MEETINGS (7:00 p.m., Library)

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting – Tuesday, April 16, 2013
May 21, 2013
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was concluded at 8:33 p.m.