Meeting Minutes

Springfield Collegiate Institute Parent Advisory Council Meeting

Conclusions/Recommendations from Meeting of December 9^th, 2005

RE: Student Registration, Course Selection and Timetabling

In Attendance:

Parents: Doraine Wachniak(Chair SCIPAC), Diane Duma(Secretary-Treasurer SCIPAC)

Gisele Parker(SCIPAC Member), Nikki Bertrand(SCIPAC Member).

Sunrise School Division Trustee: Karen Carey

SCI Staff: Mr. Pat Ilchena(Principal SCI), Ms. Janet Bergsgaard(SCI Guidance), Mr. Ken McCorkle(SCI Guidance), Ms. Suzanne Swan(SCI Resource)

Student Council: Ms. Sammy Low(SCI Student Council President)

Purpose of Meeting:

The purpose of this meeting is:

a) to share with administration and staff, concerns about the current process which exists at SCI regarding student registration, course selection and timetabling.

b) to get a better understanding of the issues which surround student registration, timetabling and course selection.

Parental Goal:

100% of SCI students timetabled for the first day of school in September with 100% student satisfaction in course selection.

Parental Concerns about the Current Process:

1. Length of time at the beginning of the school year when students are not in class and are still sorting out personal timetables.
2. The actual number of students requesting appointments with guidance to discuss courses and timetables. (approx. 500 for this school year)
3. Number of students not satisfied with their courses for the school year.
4. The compounding problems which arise as a result of not satisfying student course selections.
5. Actual start time of some courses.

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (TREVLAC):

a) On site, hands-on style Professional Development for staff of SCI. Attaining competency in all relevant areas of the system is crucial both in basic and advanced system capabilities.(eg pre-requisite checker)

b) There must be an expectation from the consumer (Division) that the supplier (Trevlac) invest in product development and timely consumer supports to address the needs of the school.

STAFFING:

a) Divisional ICT staff must be available to the staff of SCI to immediately troubleshoot technical problems identified by SCI staff during registration and timetabling periods which often fall outside of scheduled school days.

b) Skilled (skills to be specified by the school) secretarial support must be available to Guidance and Administration for peak times only.

c) Skilled (skills to be specified by the school) student management staff must be available to Guidance and Administration for peak times only.

d) SCI Guidance time allocation to deal with student failures in July as it relates to changes in timetabling and registration.

STUDENT SUPPORTS:

a) SCI Career Counselor.

b) Accommodate course changes in June for students who have identified that they require changes in courses. This may require staffing, to free up guidance who is typically involved with graduation responsibilities.

PARENTAL SUPPORTS:

a) Eye Catching notice to be put on cover of Registration Guide to invite parents out to a Registration Information Evening.

b) Use Synervoice and the SCI Website to remind and encourage parents to attend the Registration Information Evening.

c) SCIPAC can communicate to parents the importance of using the Registration Guide as resource when supporting students in course selection.

SPECIALTY COURSES:(eg On-Line Courses)

a) These courses should be treated no different than other courses with respect to start date. Start dates should be the first day of classes.

b) Specific specialty courses often require a high degree of student self motivation. Students and parents will require information identifying the kind of commitment, supervision and independent study skills necessary to successfully complete these courses.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS INCLUDED:

a) Current practices (ie meeting with senior 4 students individually, presentations to all feeder schools)

b) Barriers for the school to have a later registration deadline:

i) Hiring staff for the next school year.

ii) Time needed for data input and timetable development.

iii) Numbers required for the Budget Process.

c) The issue of students changing their minds about courses.

This issue did not have a decisive conclusion for reasons that are based on knowledge of the character of the student and the Need of the student to change courses as opposed to the Want of the student to change. What parameters should be considered as valid reasons for change? (A comment after the meeting by one parent was that in remote areas students may want to change because of geographic ability to be in with friends to work on projects and homework after school hours. The student may have valid educational reasons for requesting the change.)

d) Problems which may arise when requesting students come back in July if they

have failed a course.

e) Students who just don’t register.

f) Need to have the staff on board to consistently check students in their classes to be sure that they have the pre-requisites to be the particular class.

g) Brief discussion about independent study courses which require students to be working on their own.

Parental Goal:

100% of SCI students timetabled for the first day of school in September with 100% student satisfaction in course selection.

Meeting Minutes

SCI Advisory Council for School Leadership

Meeting Minutes of Nov. 24, 2005 ( approved at Jan.12/06 mtg.)

Location: SCI Library Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Attendance: Lee Carlson ( University student guest), Sammy Low ( Student Council President),

Doraine Wachniak, Gisele Parker, Gladys Hayward Williams, Ingrid Wasylenko,

Diane Duma ( arrived 7:45), Karen Carey ( SSD Trustee), Pat Ilchena ( Principal),

Monica Biggar ( Vice Principal),

Marion McGurran- Scott ( regrets)

Meeting called to order at 7:06 p.m.

1. Approval of Agenda G. Hayward Williams, I. Wasylenko, carried

2. Approval of Minutes of Oct. 27/05, no changes G. Hayward Williams, I. Wasylenko, carried

3. Treasurer not present at this time, report for next meeting

4. Old Business:

i) Description of Vocational programming given by M. Biggar –

= A program that gives an additional certificate at time of graduation ( 8 credits) offered in

SCI, EDWARD SCHREYER , LAC du BONNET ( Business Education)

Vocational Review in Sunrise : History

= Report of the Vocational Review Committee presented to Sunrise Board in Nov, 2004

No motions were made following presentation

= Transportation is a key component

ACTION: To write a letter to Sunrise Board re clarification of the status and inquiry into the Vocational review Doraine will do

= Freedom of Information requests replies received by G. Hayward Williams re Shared Services Agreement and RETSD and SSD. ( for viewing)

Apprenticeship Program: Information

= started at SCI this year

= one student already active with more to follow, possibly 3 or 4 with the possibility of

more next year.

Discussion on the possibility of tours at Selkirk Regional High School and Red River College.

ii) Parent Council Student Registration /Course Selection mtg. rescheduled for Dec. 9 @10.am.

5. New Business

i) Ownership Linkage Committee ( Sunrise School Board Committee) has extended an invitation to parent councils to come to a mtg. on Feb. 16 ( see letter from Board). PAC will discuss agenda items at the Jan. 26 /06 meeting.

K. Carey gave a brief description of the Ownership Linkage Committee: purpose of the committee is to establish contact between board and groups to whom they are accountable, eg., students, parents, businesses, special needs, aboriginal, dept of education. Committee was established last year and will host one hours sessions with various groups. A questionnaire is sent out in advance.

ii) Principal Report:

Student Insurance coverage: question from school board re increasing school insurance coverage for students and what would parents think about the division covering this. Response from PAC was 1. needed more information about actual cost impact 2. how many families make use of the present insurance coverage presently

This query came from MAST to each school division.

Divisional Code of Conduct: Two ways to have input/ at school level and at divisional level. Which would parents prefer?

Safe Schools Code of Conduct meeting planned for week of Dec. 5. School will confirm with Marion and Diane for a suitable date that week.

School Planning Day: May 19, 2006 Friday ( it is a divisional PD day)

Trevlac: additional training on the program capabilities has helped improve functionality and school use. Ideal goal of course assignment would be to have students, at least for S1, taking 2 to 3 courses with same teacher. ( increasing teacher/student contact time and getting to know students better).

Synervoice: Working on being able to send home messages to families. Work in progress.

School Logo: As seen on website, proposed revision. Input welcome.

iii) Parent teacher interviews: Discussion about the snow days and possible confusion for parents as to whether the PT interviews would still be happening. They did take place. Suggestion that Synervoice would have been an opportunity to let parents know that PT interviews were still taking place and additionally an item on website would have been helpful.

iv) Budget considerations : bring ideas to Jan. meeting. Review past recommendations and if they have been followed up on.

6. Correspondence

RECEIVED:

Oct. 28,2005 Ownership Linkage Chairperson, SSD, notice of meeting

Nov. 15, 2005 Minister of Education response to our letter of Sept. 20, 2005 re safe schools charter and code of conduct consultation process.

Nov. 2005 Superintendent of RETSD re shared services with SSD.

OTHER discussion:

Hampers: compliments on the way they were done last year. C. Harasymec ( teacher) is in charge this year. Gladys suggested an article in the paper about the good work done. Possibly Diane to do.

Springfield Youth Parliament dates: Mar 17 & 18, 2006

PAC meets with Student council on November 29, noon.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Minutes recorded by G. Hayward Williams and D. Duma

Minutes typed by D. Duma

Minutes approved January 12, 2006

Meeting Minutes

SCI Advisory Council for School Leadership

Meeting Minutes for October 27, 2005 (approved Nov.24/05mtg)

Location: SCI LIBRARY Time: 7:00-9:10 pm.

Attendance:

Doraine Wachniak, Gladys Hayward Williams, Karen Carey, Nikki Bertrand, Marian McGurran Scott, Diane Duma, Donna Glasgow, Gisele Parker, Ingrid Wasylenko

Sammy Low ( Student Council President)

Dana Gougnen ( U of W Education Student), Joey Park ( U of W Education Student)

Lawrence Hamm ( SCI Vice Principal), Pat Ilchena ( SCI Principal) regrets.

1. Agenda approved with the following changes: add 6(d) computer lab, 8(e) Code of Conduct letter from SSD, additional mail to be sent around the table for perusal and recorded in minutes as received.

Gladys H., Karen C., Carried.

2. Minutes of Sept.22/05 approved as written.

Marian M., Karen C., Carried.

3. Financial Report ( Diane D.): Chequing Acct. Balance of $625.76

4. Student Council ( Sammy L.):

· Reported on Student Leadership Conference held at SCI Sept 15-16. Sammy was the MC for the event. Positive feedback from students and especially popular was the speaker Craig Keilburger.

· Reported on her participation at the Canadian Student Conference held in Alberta- also very positive feedback, full schedule of activities and learning opportunities.

- Ingrid also mentioned a Student Conference that was hosted by the United Way and held at the Canadinn this fall. Attendance was free and feedback was that it was a worthwhile and positive event.

· Student Council fundraiser: Magazine subscriptions, prizes awarded for top seller ( 4 prizes- one per day as incentive). Last collection date is November 7. Usually raises approximately $6-7,000. The only fundraiser in the year and it supports the Student council initiatives.

· Tentative meeting date for Student Council with SCI PAC – Nov.22 or 29. Meeting dates are Tuesdays at lunch. Sammy and Doraine will confirm.

5. Old Business:

a) Safe Schools Committee: Information given to Pat previously by Doraine.

Pat has received the names of Marian and Diane with Doraine and Ingrid

as backup if one of them cannot attend. We would prefer to have two

parents attend. No meeting is set to date.

SCI PAC meeting minutes of Oct.27/05 pg. 2 of 4

b) Communication Strategy:

· Discussion about school newsletter ( mailed in

Sept.), student newsletter ( brought home by students), PAC newsletter ( mailed with course schedules). Lots of information/ very positive. Also website contains updated information regularly. Newsletter deadline for SCI PAC is Nov.4 to have draft to Pat. Report cards go out on Nov. 9. Ask Safe Grad Chair if they have anything to submit and ask Springfield Parents for the Performing Arts Chair if they would like to submit anything. ( Diane will do).

· Meet the Teacher format was changed this year- what did parents think about it? Comments: some enjoyed the ability to mingle, others would have preferred the opportunity to visit the classrooms like last year. Discussion about trying a combination of both. Use of name tags very helpful. Compliments on signage. Compliments on healthy food assortment and having food available.

6. New Business:

a) Initiatives to support athletes and their sports at SCI:

Use of Clipper, web site, and announcements to students daily. Is there

coverage of all sports groups in our school?

Question: re sports bussing and students driving students on field or sports

trips? Students being paid $5 does not cover gas costs. Also question

about parent notification, do parents assume their student is driven by a

teacher? Are the same students doing most of the driving? Equity?

Some discussion about the need for more answers: extracurricular and

sport competitions that require drivers, phys ed courses that require drivers,

and information about costs to students, and what is covered by school.

Some ideas raised such as establishing a driver pool or purchasing a school

Van.

Springfield Collegiate requested to stay within KPAC for interschool sports

as those schools were more similar in population to SCI and closer. The rest

of Sunrise is not in KPAC. Students also wanted to stay in KPAC.

More questions can be forwarded to Doraine.

Action: Doraine and Donna will communicate re questions and then

Donna will bring questions to Teacher. Follow up at next meeting.

b) Student Registration:

PAC has forwarded request to Pat. Request to have an Ad Hoc committee with parents, school trustee ( Karen), guidance counselor and student rep. Goal of committee is to tabulate parent concerns and present them to school with the possibility of consideration in school budget requests.

SCI PAC meeting minutes of Oct. 27/05 pg. 3 of 4

c) Budget Considerations:

Tabled for next meeting. In the meantime, review notes and information about what was accomplished from last year’s budget.

d) Computer Labs:

All labs are up and running. Question: Is there a schedule for computer room usage? Yes, teachers do one monthly.

Parent question/comment: There are more students taking internet courses this year and taking spares because they could not get into courses they requested. Do students that are taking classes via the internet have enough computer time available? Are the computers being used to their full potential? With the removal of the (6hr) Teaching Assistant in the computer lab , has this effected computer use and supervision? SCI PAC would like to consider usage data and look at this in budget requests.

7. Principal Report

a) Parking Lot: new visitor parking providing 10 spots.

b) Synervoice: The computerized synervoice system is not functional yet as

there may be issues around privacy and system access to phone numbers

and student information. Issues around the technology still need to be

resolved.

c) Remembrance Day Assembly Nov. 9 @ 10:30 am. All Welcome.

8. Correspondence Received

“HOLD ON TO YOUR KIDS – Why Parents Matter” Evening for Parents, presented by the Family Centre, guest speaker: Dr. Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D NOVEMBER 7 7-9pm, $10 at door ( Wpg. ArtGallery, 300 Memorial Blvd.)

SCHOLAR STREET- Red Deer Alberta- on line educational resources , fees outlined.

S’COOL LIFE FUND- information about their site on the web , www.schoollifefund.ca

Cc of COMPLIMENTARY LETTER FROM DEEP RIVER SCIENCE ACADEMY to Mr. Kitching re student Dana Bailey & participation in summer program.

MAPC MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL LETTER- increased annual fee to $60.

MEMO FROM SUNRISE S.D. Social Worker: Colleen Boomer re SUICIDE Awareness Forum NOV. 4 8:30 am- 4:00 pm at Lac du Bonnet Community Club. $20 includes lunch.

SCI PAC Meeting Minutes of Oct. 27/05 pg. 4 of 4

METRO WINNIPEG COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN- Invitation to participate in a Transitions program forum- 3 evenings to choose from: Nov. 9, Nov. 16 or Jan. 25 Information about post school choices, day programs.

ROTARY CLUBS OF WINNIPEG notice of the 2006 Rotary Career Symposium March 22-23/06 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

EDUCATION MANITOBA October 05 Newsletter ( from Manitoba Education Citizenship and Youth) Also available on the website www.edu.gov.mb.ca/ks4/newsletter/

FROM SUNRISE S.D. L. Boitson Dated Oct. 19/05 To D. Wachniak re response to SCI PAC letter of Sept. 20/05 about SSD Divisonal Code of Conduct and Response to Threats Document. Letter circulated.

MOTION TO PAY $60.00 for MAPC Membership renewal

Gladys, Marian, carried

Action: Diane to send cheque

9. Correspondence Sent:

a) Letter to WOW committee c/o R. Cielen re motion of Sept. 22/05 ( read out)

b) Letter to Head Custodian, John McDonald re motion of Sept. 22/05 ( read out)

c) Freedom of Information Requests as per minutes of June 20/05

ACTION: Doraine will call Minister of Education re Safe schools committee and the government’s lack of urgency in responding to our letter. ( No response received to date). Their actions contradict the Safe Schools legislation.

10. Items for next agenda
Request to parents to read the article on Sunrise SD website from K. Friesen and give feedback.

Budget considerations.

11. Meeting adjourned at 9:10 Motioned by D. Wachniak

Minutes recorded and typed by D. Duma

Minutes approved at meeting of November 24, 2005

Meeting Minutes

SCI Advisory Council for School Leadership

Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 22, 2005

Location: SCI LIBRARY Time: 6:45pm to 9:00pm

Attendance: Doraine Wachniak, Gladys Hayward Williams, Sammy Low(SCI Student Council Pres.), Sally Boulding, Jack Boughen, BJ Kuzmack, Joan Charles, Nikki Bertrand, Gisele Parker, Colleen Ammeter, Ingrid Wasylenko, Mr. Pat Ilchena (SCI Principal), Mr. Lawrence Hamm (SCI

Vice Principal), Mrs. Monica Biggar (SCI Vice Principal), Mr. Randy Cielen (SCI Teacher)

Tour of School Lead by Mr. Pat Ilchena. (6:45pm to 7:30pm)

WOW Committee Presentation by Mr. Randy Cielen The current status of the 10 Top Beautification Initiatives were presented.

10. Hall of Fame (not finished) 9.Picture Frames( dramatic price increase so on hold)

8. Gymnasium (Painted) 7. Wall Calendar (Completed) 6. Plexiglas for Bulletin Boards (all purchased) 5. Locker renumbering (incomplete) 4. Signage (Parking and Welcome in place still more to be done in the school) 3. Re-number Classrooms (completed) 2. Outdoor Plexiglas signage (incomplete) 1. Paint (Good start but not yet complete)

Motion: to write a letter to the members of the WOW committee recognizing the effect that their initiatives have had on the school and as well recognizing that parents appreciate that these activities go above and beyond their expected responsibilities as teachers in our school.

Gladys Hayward Williams, Colleen Ammeter Carried

Action: Doraine W. will write a letter and direct it to Randy Cielen who will bring it to the WOW committee.

---

Introduction of those in attendance.

During the introductions Mrs. Sally Boulding took the opportunity to share with the group her involvement with SCI Parents for the Performing Arts. Mrs. Boulding is currently the president of the group. She shared some of the activities that they participate in as well as encouraged parents to be actively involved in programs which develop student’s artistic skills.

Accept Agenda as Presented

Add Invite Parents from Grade 8 to attend SCIPAC

BJ Kuzmack, Nikki Bertrand Carried

Accept Minutes of May 16^th, 2005 Gladys Hayward Williams, Nikki Bertrand Carried

Accept Minutes of June 20^th, 2005

Two corrections: under Attendance: add BJ Kuzmack, under 7. MERN: change “Concerns about PowerPoint” to “Concerns about one slide of the PowerPoint presentation”

Colleen Ammeter, Ingrid Wasylenko Carried

Suggestion by BJ Kuzmack to invite Grade 8 parents of the feeder schools to the SCI PAC meetings. BJ will speak to Mr. Deneka.

Nomination for vacant position on Council: Position filled at end of meeting by Mrs. Gisele Parker.

Financial Statement:

No official statement given as the Treasurer, Mrs. Duma, is away. Estimated bank balance is $500.00 with no expenses to pay.

………2

SCI PAC Meeting Minutes Sept. 22, 2005 Page 2

Cleanliness and Maintenance Update:

Improvements to the school continue. Over the summer much progress has been made and it is obvious that the custodial staff have worked hard to prepare our school for the 2005-06 year.

Concerns about the holes in the washroom flooring, now that the new stalls are in place, was shared during the tour. Regulations may be such that the holes will need patching or new flooring will be required.

Motion: to write a letter to the school custodial supervisor, Mr. John MacDonald, to express our appreciation to the custodial staff of SCI for the obvious hard work that has gone into preparing our high school for the September return of our staff and students.

Gladys Hayward Williams, Sally Boulding Carried

Action: Doraine W. will write a letter to Mr. MacDonald on behalf of the SCI PAC.

---

SCI School Code of Conduct/Safe Schools Advisory Committee (S.S.A.C.):

Mr. Ilchena expects to begin the process of setting up an S.S.A.C. in the month of October. Doraine W. invited parents to come forth to volunteer for the Committee. Two letters have been written; one to the Division (see June 20^th,2005 minutes) and one to the Minister of Education(see June 20^th, 2005 minutes) regarding the Divisional Code of Conduct, Response to Threats Document, and Safe Schools Legislation.

School Plan Document:

The content of the School Plan was shared with parents by Mr. Ilchena.

Motion: to accept the 2005-06 SCI School Plan as presented by Mr. P. Ilchena.

Colleen Ammeter, Joan Charles Carried

Discussion as part of the School Plan included:

Bird’s Hill Walk-A-Thon: This year there was an increase in both student and staff participation.

Senior One Orientation: Well received with a focus on student relationship building with each other and with SCI staff.

Where there is an increase in staff participation there is so much more hype about the event and so the students become excited and supportive too.

Hazing; only one report of water balloons in a vehicle and otherwise it has been quiet to date. Mr. Ilchena spoke about the impact of education along side consequences rather than consequences based on fear alone.

Communication: School newsletter being sent to parents, students in Desktop publishing are going to be creating a newsletter; as well Mr. Ilchena is still hopeful that he will be able to initiate electronic communication to parents as well. The cost to post the newsletter to parents was approx. $800 which is about 60% of the total postage budget.

…….3

SCI Meeting Minutes of Sept. 22, 2005 page 3

Principal’s Report:

1. Sunrise PD Day being held at SCI tomorrow. There will be approximately 700 staff at the school tomorrow morning. Mr. Brothers will begin with a keynote address following this there will be breakout sessions at the three different schools in the complex.
2. Parking Lot Update: There will be an increase in the number of stalls as well as a visitor parking area on the east side of the building. Work is to begin next week.
3. Staff increase is 1.2 Full Time Equivalent. Class size is less or equal to 30 students.

Goal is to deal more effectively with learning challenges. The 0.2 position has been dedicated to Talent Development at SCI . The Artspeak program is a Divisional program.

4. Technology: Network room in library has been funded for $53,000 with the intention to

wire and network the school.

5. Cameras: Six inside and One outside school as a result of the vandalism events of last

year. Brief discussion about whether the school needs to have surveillance camera signage as you enter the building. Sounds as though it is not necessary.

6. This year is the first year that we have a part time(0.4) Addictions Foundation of Manitoba member on staff.
7. Population is 710.

Nominations for Council;

Ingrid Wasylenko (Parent at Large), Diane Duma (Treasurer/Secretary), Nikkie Bertrand (Parent at Large), Gladys Hayward Williams (Past Co-Chair), Marian McGurran-Scott ( Vice Chair), Doraine Wachniak (Chair), Gisele Parker (Parent at Large), Karen Carey (Parent at Large)

Parents wrote down topics of interest for future meetings and submitted them to Doraine W.

Suggestion to prepare ideas for Budget Requests.

Meeting Adjourn 8:55 pm