Ancaster High School Council
Minutes of Meeting held November 12, 2013
In Attendance:
Sherry Brown, Cheryl Stevens, Kim Breakey, Tena Bewsh, Jeremy Russell, Joanne Stephen, Alex
Johnstone, Randy Gallant
Regrets: Mai Souffian, Gail Arruda
1. Approval of the Agenda
 Cheryl Stevens made a motion to approve the agenda; Tena Bewsh seconded and all were in
favour.
 Agenda was approved.
2. School Trustee Alex Johnstone
 Parent information nights upcoming:
November 14, 7:00pm at Ryerson Middle School - Fostering Healthy Relationships with Our
Children by Gary Direnfield.
November 19, 6:00pm at Hamilton Spectator auditorium – Bullying and Mental Health
November 20, 7:00pm at Michaelangelo Events and Conference Centre – What Parents Can do
to Prevent Underage Drinking and How Alcohol Affects the Teenage Brain.

Scholarships available:
Toromont CAT Reach Your Destination Scholarship - $3000 for students in the GTA entering the
Motive Power Techniques and Heavy Equipment program at Fleming College and Centennial
College. Closes November 30 for Fleming College and June 30 2014 for Centennial College.
Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award – Closes December 1st
The Father Ted Colleton Scholarship Program – Closes December 1st

Committee Meetings
November 27, 7:30pm at Helen Detwiler School library – Special Education Advisory Committee
November 27, 7:00pm at Westdale Secondary Library – French Immersion Advisory Committee

Elementary School ARC public meetings – West Glanbrook (Bell-Stone and Mt. Hope)
Meeting 3 – Wed December 4, 6-9pm at Mt. Hope Elementary School
Meeting 4 – Wed January 22/14, 6-9pm at Bell-Stone Elementary School

Ms. Johnstone asked for the council`s input into changing the current school boundaries.
3. Student Council Report – Arjuna and Jason
 Football buyout for the entire school on October 24th. Food was sold, there was music.
 Halloween dance and haunted house-approx. 300 tickets sold. Praise from Mr. Gallant on a job
well done.
 Spirit wear-order forms are available and will be distributed in class. Orders taken until
November 29th. Company providing clothing is Promo Pays, a Mississauga based company.
 Healthy Action Team will be creating awareness about the dangers of chewing tobacco. There
will be a campaign on November 19th.
 The HOPE committee is planning various holiday activities: bake sale, photo with Santa, holiday
assembly.
 Student Price Cards (SPC) are $9 and provides discounts at participating stores.
 Thursday November 21st is “A Day in the Life” day. This is part of the Gr 8 introduction to the
school.
 Semi-formal dance is November 14th at Michaelangelo’s Banquet Centre. It is a sit down dinner,
tickets are $45 and approx. 250 have been sold. It is a Casino Royale theme.
 Discussed posting student activities on the school website not only for students but parents.
Suggested a Facebook page for students
 Future events: Healthy Action Team – Tobacco awareness
 November 14 is World Diabetes Day – wear blue. A photo will be taken of everyone wearing
blue.
4. Teacher’s Report – Mr. Jeremy Russell
 Midterms start November 21st. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teachers by
phone or email.
 Grade 12-Two college fairs have already taken place.
 For the Grade 8’s there will be a volleyball and floor ball tournament.
 On the same day as “Take your kid to work day”, the grade 8’s were at the school and chose
which class they wanted to participate in.
5. Principal’s Report – Mr. Randy Gallant
 Remembrance Day Assy was held on November 11th. The history and music departments
organized the assembly which focused on the Korean War as this year marks the 60th
anniversary. Sue Dunlop attended. The assembly was very well done.
 Positive School Climate – focused on developing strategies for safe schools, mental health,
equality & inclusion
 November 19 at 10am there will be a Lock Down drill. Parents will be notified by synervoice and
a notice will be posted on the school website.
 Tip Off is a board initiative. Students can text or call anonymously to speak to someone about
bullying, drugs, crime, etc. without fear of reprisal, judgement or discovery. The sender’s phone
number is scrambled for anonymity. The school will be notified immediately. More information
is available on the board website.
6. New Business/Correspondence/Announcements
 Building Blocks for School Councils – Sherry and Mr. Gallant have been invited to these sessions
on November 28, December 4 and January 16. A video will be shown at our January meeting for
everyone`s information.
 Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is November 18 – 22. The teachers will lead
classroom discussions based on guiding questions. There will be trivia questions and prizes.
7. AOB
 Tena – Communications: Discussing getting information out to the parents
 Bell schedule needed for assembly days
8. Updates:
 There will be no late bus as the ridership does not justify it.
 Last names in council correspondence – Mr. Gallant still investigating.
 Exam schedule with report card dates will be posted on the website
9. Adjournment
 7:20pm
 Next meeting is Tuesday January 14, 2014