Meeting Minutes Jan 16

Springfield Collegiate Institute Advisory Council for School Leadership
January 16, 2007
Meeting Minutes

Attendance

Parent / Community Members: Joan Charles, Gladys Hayward Williams, Nikki Bertrand, and Roxanne Lapointe

Administration: Chris Szun

Administration Report

Chris had a positive report regarding the Preliminary Staffing Budget for 2007-08. One point in particular is increased funds for staffing because of the Level 2 and 3 students expected for 2007-08.
There is a staff communication team working on Website daily info. As well there will be additional Website training for staff.
Exams
- Grade 9 – 12, January 25 – February 1
- Provincial Pilot Math Practice Exams
- Provincial English Practice Exams (completed)

Financial Report: Balance of $962.98

Agenda Topics

Chris informed the group about the procedures in place regarding forms and notices for parents/guardians for sporting events (league and tournament) and field trips (day and extended). He will speak to Phys. Ed Coaches and staff regarding the procedures.

Roxanne expressed concerns that not all student marks were being posted on the Internet. Chris advised that the teachers will receive training in this area and then perhaps more marks would be accessible via the Internet.

As per Chris, Mr. Ilchena advised the Division Maintenance Supervisor that outdoor lighting would be a topic on the Agenda at the PAC meeting. Roxanne spoke with Andy Robak (Caretaker – Springfield Arena) regarding the outdoor lighting there and he in turn referred her to C & C Electric for prices on the work done at the Arena. No additional info at meeting time.

Status on Code of Conduct – Nikki will speak to Pat to find out more info on this issue.

WOW – Nikki received emailed info from Mr. Jacobs. Part of the email is as follows:
“We are a group of teachers that for the past two and a half years have been working towards improving the layout, organization and overall appearance of the school. Our mandate is to dream practically. We consider only the improvements that we as staff members and students could have control over. Although large capital expenditures such as improved hallway lighting, painting and new lockers have been part of our wishes, they are outside of our group’s mandate.”
Little Black Book” – received correspondence from Heather Stevenson, opposition for the NDP Party. According to Gladys the School Division will be discussing the book once it is delivered. SCI PAC is not in favor of the book being distributed to students and the Administration is aware of their concerns.

Open Forum

Nikki had info from Diane Duma regarding the Phys. Ed. Guest Speaker, Dr. Dean Kriellaars. Dianne will be contacting Dr. Kriellaars to arrange a time for him to speak at SCI. Excess funds from the amalgamation, that have been passed on to the SCI PAC, will be used to pay for this speaker. Other neighboring school PACs will be notified and invited to attend. Motion moved by Roxanne to sponsor this event / Nikki 2nd.

Public Budget Meeting – February 20th

Next Meeting tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, depending on arrangements made for the Guest Speaker.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Meeting Minutes

SCI Advisory Council for School Leadership

Summary of Meeting

November 16, 2006

Parents Attendance: Nikki Bertrand and Roxanne Lapointe

Administration Attendance: Pat Ilchena, Monica Biggar, and Chris Szun

Nikki was given a Budget Proposal Sheet for 2007/2008.

Discussion – Strategies to attract more Parents to the monthly SCIACSL meetings – decided that Nikki and Roxanne would setup a booth the night of Parent / Teacher.

Meeting ended at 7:45 pm.

Meeting Minutes

SCI Advisory Council for School Leadership
October 19, 2006
Meeting Minutes

Parent Attendance: Doraine Wachniak, Nikki Bertrand, Gladys Hayward Williams, Roxanne Lapointe, Diane Duma
Administration Attendance: Monica Biggar, Chris Szun
Meeting called to order at 7 p.m.
1. Acceptance of agenda G. Hayward Williams, N. Bertrand, carried
2. Acceptance of Minutes of May 4, 2006
G. Hayward Williams, N. Bertrand, carried
3. Acceptance of Minutes of Sept. 21, 2006 with changes to attendance, add in
Mary Matthewman
D. Duma, G. Hayward Williams, carried
4. a) Nutrition Initiative :
Question: Ministry of Education / Ministry of Healthy Living have
recommended schools develop nutrition policies, what initiatives has our school
taken?
Answer:
• food menu in cafeteria has been varied, includes wraps, tortellinis and veggie trays, as examples
• possibility of future development of a nutrition course
• drink machine selections of water and juices
• no formal policy being developed at present
Question: Use of cafeteria; is there a record kept of numbers of orders or
customers?
Answer:
No, but might be possible to gather data from receipts and then compare
types of purchases over the year.
Additional comments:
Water bottles are allowed in class
Profit from cafeteria goes to school purchases
b) Desks and student numbers:
Larger population this year, more desks were ordered. Concerns about safety
or class size were raised. Administration would like parents to speak to
teacher first and then if needed to administration.
c) Availability of graphic calculators for students:
Cost of these calculators ranges $130-150. Requirement for applied math
class. Teachers may have 5-10 that are available for student to sign out if
needed. NOTE for parents/students who have calculators that they do not
need anymore and may want to sell as second hand. Please call one of the
SCI ACSL meeting minutes of October 19, 2006 page 2 of 2
two teachers who teach the applied math.
(d) Little Black Book:
Questions about process of book development and parental access were
answered by D. Wachniak.
Draft presented for perusal.
At present, if books arrive at schools - not to be distributed; memo from
Superintendent.
5. Old Business
(a) Physical Education Guest: Dr. Dean Krehler would be available to present
on physical activity and increased fitness. Has done research at U of M.
D. Duma will contact local pacs to see if there would be interest in
participating for an evening presentation.
Additional comments:
SCI has made arrangements with local fitness facility in Oak Bank to support
students taking training time there as credit toward phys ed.
(b) Status of code of conduct:
Was started last year with involvement of two parents, student council
president and principal. Did not complete it. Will need to ask student
council for a participant for this year. Put on hold for now.
6. Financial
(a) $25.00 payment to Diane for plants/ soil for garden
Gladys, Nikki, carried
(b) Balance as of Sept./06 Chequing acct $541.60
(c) Itemized expenses 05/06 included in letter written to R. Hardman
requesting $125.00 for PAC
Discussion:
• Lighting in parking lot- question about concerns from neighbours about lights and if they may create a problem for their backyard privacy. May pursue this as lack of good lighting in parking lot is still a big concern.
• Suggestion to have concern protocol sent to parents.
• Suggestion to have options for fundraising available to parents so that parents could send a cheque donation instead of being involved in actual fundraising.
7. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Minutes typed & recorded by D. Duma
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Meeting Minutes

Springfield Collegiate Institute Advisory Council for School Leadership

September 21, 2006

Meeting Minutes

Parents Attendance: Doraine Wachniak, Gladys Hayward Williams, Roxanne Lapointe, Cindy Lacroix, Jim and Mary Matthewman, Sheila Bauer, Lorna Verschoore, Nikki Bertrand, Joan Charles, Diane Duma, Kayla Heselwood (U of W student)

Regrets: Ingrid Wasylenko

Administration Attendance: Mr. Pat Ilchena(Principal), Mrs. Monica Biggar(Vice-Principal), Mr. Chris Szun(Vice-Principal)

Tour of School

Discussions focused on changes to the physical site, synervoice(some parents have not received their messages they were directed to call the office and speak with Diane Van Damme), computer upgrades and use.

Introductions

Accept Agenda

School Plan:

There was a sharing of information about what the School Plan is and how parents are involved in the event. Parents, students and staff participate annually to discuss their priorities for the school. Mr. Ilchena mentioned that the school staff would be looking at the details of the school plan during the professional development day scheduled for Sept. 22, 2006. School Plans are submitted to the Division. Details about the 2006-07 SCI School Plan can be made available at the next meeting.

Student Registration/Course Selection:

There was a sharing of information with parents about concerns raised on the council last fall (05) regarding the large number of students(over 550) requesting course changes. Mr. Ilchena reported that this year that number was down by about 100. A number of strategies were implemented last spring, summer and fall to address the issue. The unofficial student number as of this date is 715 and Mr. Ilchena shared with the parents a number of factors which play into the scheduling challenge. One parent expressed an interest in knowing why her child would be scheduled for a course that they had not requested. There was no definitive answer to that question.

Walk-a-thon:

There was a discussion which focused on the purpose, notification and the need for the school to follow the divisional policy on field trips by acquiring parental consent around this type of event. Concerns were generally focused on the lack of notification. Mr. Ilchena agreed that the school did not adequately notify parents and that he would need to examine this event further to address the future of the walk-a-thon at SCI.

MOTION:

Parents expect that there be reasonable notice given about the Walk-a-thon, this notice should include all pertinent information such as the purpose, time, and intended use of the funds raised. It should also follow the Division’s policy as it relates to parental consent for field trips.

Doraine Wachniak 2^nd Nikki Bertrand Carried Unanimously

Additional comments about the event included:

• Event was to help build relationships across grade levels and between staff and students. One comment suggested that the purpose of the event was a good one but was there ways that this could be accomplished other than the walk-a-thon.
• This event was started 33 years ago with a population of 200 and some odd students maybe it is time to consider modification to such an event now that the school population is over 700.

Parent Council Representation:

The council requires someone to step in to take lead of agendas and chairing of meetings. With many new faces there was a hope that someone would come forward to take these responsibilities. Council meetings were set for the following dates;

October 19^th, November 16^th, January 18^th, February 15^th, March 15^th, April 19^th, May 17^th (General Elections) (December and June are months that there is not usually a parent council meeting.)

Diane Duma will fill out a school usage form.

Financial Update Tabled.

Physical Education Guest Tabled

Nutrition Initiative Tabled

Adjourned 8:20 pm Min. Recorded by Doraine Wachniak

Min. Approved 19/10/06