TSMS Council Meeting
In School Library
Monday September 22, 2014
Attending Councillors: Catherine Lord (Principal), Tanya Tymkiv (Vice Principal),
Anita Sayal , Marylynn Coe, Sandi Laing, Mohamed Radwan (co-chair), Behshad
Khatambakhsh (co-chair), Barbara Li, Mangalika Perera, Hurong Yu, Jill Sellar.
Regrets from councillors: Saeeda Shoukat (Community Rep).
Other parents/guardians attending: Jill Blackburn, Miro Banach, Lana Gill, Ghada
Nagaty, Bin Chen, Yanyang Feng, Kerry Hrinco, Nisrin Salem, Jeannie Ueno, Yanlin
Sun, Pam Shaver, Mrunal Ambardekar, Basem Hassan, Mahnaz Khatibar, Samàn
Odeh, Lurline Gicespie-Cornwal.
Welcome 6:30 p.m.
Election of Parent/Guardian Members:
All parents/guardians were encouraged to self-nominate so they could vote on council.
Election of other Members and Executive (Officers):
Chair: Brian Khatambakhsh and Mohammed Radwan
Secretary: Jill (this month only)
Treasurer: Barbara (for this month)
Future Meeting Dates:
October 20, 2014 (approved previously)
November 17, 2014
February 9, 2015
March 23, 2015
May 4, 2015
Motion to accept the meeting dates
Mover: Sandi, Seconder: Anita
Approval of Agenda, Minutes, Annual Report
Motion to accept the agenda as presented.
Mover: Mohommed, Seconder: Nasreen
Contact your council at thomasstms.council@peelsb.com, www.tsmscouncil.com
Motion to accept Annual Report and Minutes
Mover: Anita, Seconder: Sandi
Principal’s remarks
1. Welcome
2. School organization – projected 775; enrollment over 750 10-6s, 2 – 6FI 9-7s, 10-8s
we reorganized down 1 FI and had to make some changes due to the increase in
instrumental music
3. Reporting periods – for this year; progress reports go home Nov. 7st , interviews
14th and 15th ; First term report card – Feb 6th; Second term – June 25th
4. RAID program – grade 6 students will be working with Peel Police on the RAID
program starting in November. The program focuses on accurate information about
various drugs, developing self-esteem, identifying positive alternatives to drugs and
practicing effective decision making and refusal skills.
5. Hep B/HPV – Nov. 19th
6. Teams and music have started up, please make sure your children listen to
announcements. Announcements are also listed on the TSMS website.
7. Keep up to date with our website
http://schools.peelschools.org/1654/Pages/default.aspx and our twitter
@thunderwovles98
Public Question Period
1. What is the teacher/student ratio? Average is 24.52, largest class is 28.
2. Explain Integrated Classroom? Classes have one core teacher and less rotary.
Benefits are less time wasted moving to next classroom, core teachers get to
know the students better, they are a cohesive unit. It is working very well. There
is a lot of collaboration between the teachers so that language teachers are
comfortable teaching math now and vice versa. Students are looking at
connections between subjects. It will be a process this year that has been
planned since January 2014. JFSS students have only four teachers per
semester, just like TSMS.
3. What is school policy regarding playing devices? In classroom it is up to the
teacher. At lunchtime, devices are STRONGLY encouraged to be left in their
locker. Students should play outside and devices are less likely to be lost or
damaged if left in locker.
4. Explain flip class DDMH? Some teachers are trying this. Students are required
to watch a five minute video before or after the teacher’s lesson. It can be found
on Learn 360, students can pause and replay as necessary. This method is used
during staff meetings as well.
5. JFSS Advanced Placement (AP) program update? There is no prep at TSMS for
this. Flyers are out to grade 8’s, and someone will be in to speak to them. There
will also be an information night. Need information on this by October 2014
instead of the usual February 2015.
6. EQAO results? Overall school, reading 86, writing 91, math 66. Individual
results will be sent home soon, school does not have them yet.
Contact your council at thomasstms.council@peelsb.com, www.tsmscouncil.com
7. What is Prodigy? Math game like Zelda/Pokemon made by fourth year Waterloo
students. Complete up to grade 6, may still be working on grades 7&8. Mostly
done at home, but the teacher can monitor progress and add extra questions as
needed.
Major Fundraiser
Last year’s product fundraiser did not go well so will return to the one walkathon
fundraiser as usual. Currently have two Computer on Wheels (COW’s), but would like
to purchase two more for $18,000, and maybe some printers.
Special Speaker Plan for the Year
On March 25, 2015, Marion Small will come to speak about Ontario based math. Will
speak to teachers first, and then parents in the evening. Local schools are invited as
well.
Other Business
Trustee Meredith attended to share and celebrate JFSS math and literacy scores.
Since TSMS is the only feeder school, TSMS takes some credit for this.
Confirmation of EcoSchool, Character and Grade 8 Career Day
Grade 8 Career Day will try to present speakers that students would like to see from our
families and community. Previously we have been over represented by formal
professions. Will use all grade 8 classrooms and any other available rooms. Some
speakers can commit to a half day, others to the entire day.
New Business: none
Preliminary Agenda for the Next Meeting
Same as last except for the elections.
Add an update on the new French Immersion (FI) program.
Next meeting is Monday October 20, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.
Secretary: Jill Sellar
Contact your council at thomasstms.council@peelsb.com, www.tsmscouncil.com