Northern Secondary School Council – Annual General Meeting
Thursday September 10, 2015 – Library
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Prepared by: Adam Gordon 416 423-3241
Agenda Item / Decision/Action Taken / Person ResponsibleWelcome & Introductions / · Call to order at 6:50p.m.
· About 25 people attended, introductions and welcome by the co-chairs / Co-Chairs Dr. Tai, Ms Dhira Bery
Approval of Minutes / · Minutes of June 02, 2015 were approved. / Moved by:
Bettina Hoar,
2nd by: Margaret Postlethwaite
CARRIED
Co-chairs report / · Ms Bery outlined her experience on the board over the past 6 years and how worthwhile it has been.
· The primary role of the council is to support the principal and teachers and as a voice advocating for students.
· Dr Tai and Ms Bery attended the teacher’s June Jubilee, the teachers very much appreciated the council’s sponsorship in lieu of a teachers' lunch.
· School registration went well, the council has received donations which are still to be tabulated, last year we raised about $18,000.
· The council has already received 2 funding requests to date, more can be expected once the student clubs begin to form.
· Our children need us to be informed to help them succeed, is a key message to parents.
Principal’s report / · Mr Felsen presented the NSS website and teachers’ home pages, these will increasingly be important as a source of information.
· Email is the best way to reach most teachers, rather than phone, although a few teachers still prefer phone.
· This is 4th year of declining enrollment across the TDSB (secondary level only), therefore the number of teaching positions continues to shrink, and approximately 185 teachers were terminated in TDSB secondary system on Aug 31, 2015.
· Although NSS as a school is not shrinking it is affected by ‘bumping’, seniority and qualifications are the main criteria for determining teacher placement.
· 3 teachers retired and 14 teachers were bumped during summer, 3 have returned and 11 new teachers joined NSS.
· Thursday Sept 17th is “Meet the Teacher Night” starting at 6pm, parents will have 7-8 minutes with each teacher. Prior to this at 5pm is a ribbon cutting event for the landscaping of the front lawn.
· There is a new school resource officer (police officer) his name is Chris Spencer, it is a 2 year appointment.
· Approximately 40 to 50 schools across the TSDB now have in-school police officers.
· A lunch was held for the 52 new students to the school in grades 10, 11 and 12.
· Facilities update: stairwells were painted during summer and hot water system has been temporarily repaired but will be replaced in November.
· TDSB legal department has now mandated that school parking lots will be chained after school at night and on weekends unless there is a permit event being held at school, this will create some disruption.
· The PSAB financial report is currently overdue and is pending submission of Council treasurer.
· There will be some class adjustments to meet the collective agreement as NSS is about 100 students over capacity but it is not as bad as last year.
· VP’s did not attend but will attend future council meetings to explain their role.
· Delisle counsellor (Dale) will remain as part of the school
· The automated attendance system does not distinguish between lates and absences. Parents should inform school beforehand or acknowledge legitimate absences because unauthorised absences may affect grades or makeup tests or ability to attend extra-curricular activities.
· Parent-teachers interviews will be in November.
· When students turn 18 years old, parents are not informed of absences unless student grants TDSB permission to inform parents
· There are approximately 500 new grade 9 students.
Teacher’s report / · Ms Moulton thanked council for their contribution to teacher’s June Jubilee celebration, more teachers are able to attend than a lunch.
· Extra-curriculars are underway, NSS has about 120 clubs students can join.
· A club fair will be held soon so students can see what clubs are available. Students can start their own club if they wish – forms are available on the 3rd floor outside of Dale’s office.
· Grade 9’s are encouraged to get involved via:
o checking school calendar
o twitter account: @NSSannoucements, (no “n”)
o sign up for emails
· Nov 12th there will be a social media workshop for parents and students
· Reminder, extracurricular activities are a privilege not a right / Lori Moulton, French teacher
Student report / · NSS has 75 buddies, Katarina thanked the council for funding for Buddies retreat at lake St George
· Once elections are held, a parent council student senator will be appointed.
· Student Affairs Council’s (SAC) oversees the club budgets
· Students should follow SAC on twitter
· Club fair will be in October 15-16 at lunch time
· Sept 18th is freshman’s barbecue
· is their email / Katarina , VP Buddies
Review of Council Executives / · Ms Hoar explained the role of the council and the ways parents can and are encouraged to contribute to the school. More parent involvement leads to greater success is the message.
· There are 19 parent members of the School Council, including 6 executive positions: 2 co-chairs, 2 co-treasurers, 2 co-secretaries.
· Anyone can volunteer or join one of the Committees
· If you are interested in Volunteering, joining a Committee or the School Council, please sign the “Expression of Interest” form that will be available on the website and sent out by Principal Felsen.
· All parents are always welcome at School Council meetings, even if they aren’t members.
· The constitution has been revised to align with TDSB policies
· The goal is more parent involvement and more parent education this year.
· Depending upon the number of candidates, elections may need to be held in October for Parent Members. Officer positions will be chosen as the first order of business of the next School Council meeting from among the Parent Members.
· Principal Felsen sends weekly emails, but if you’d like to receive reminders about events or additional information from the School Council, please email with permission to add you to the mailing list. / Bettina Hoar
NSS Foundation (NSSF) / · Ms Hamlin introduced the foundation and explained its role.
· It provides grants and scholarships to students, teachers and staff for worthwhile projects.
· Student clubs will approach the SAC first, and NSSF next for funding, before approaching the School Council
· There are grants and scholarships at all grade levels for students.
· Next meeting Sept 29th, 630pm in the Heritage room.
· Website: www.nssf.ca / Cynthia Hamlin
Question & Answers / · High school teachers have a tentative agreement with province, ratification vote Sept 16th, no agreement yet with TDSB.
· Support staff started work to rule campaign, impact uncertain.
· Parents are represented at the TDSB level through a variety of advisory committees, including PIAC (Parent Involvement Advisory Committee), SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee) and others. For a full list of available TDSB Committees that parents can join, see here:http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Community/HowtoGetInvolved/CommunityAdvisoryCommittees.aspx. If parents are approaching PIAC or other Community Advisory Committees with an issue it is important to bring background research. Our school is fortunate that our local PIAC representative is actually a parent at NSS. Her name is Rania Saleh and she can be reached
· Parents should also get on trustee Shelley Laskin’s mailing list by sending an email request to . Ms. Laskin organizes Ward Forums as well, that parents are welcome to attend.
· Mr Felsen was asked to clarify policies around e-books and paper books as different classes doing things differently. / attendees
Adjournment / · No new business, meeting adjourned 830pm
· Next meeting Oct 20th, 6:30pm
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