Community Council Meeting03/11/08, Balfour CollegiatePage 1 of 4
Balfour Collegiate
Minutes of the Balfour Collegiate Community Council Meeting
Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 – 7:00 PM
Present:Tonia HauckChair
Sally BlenkinSecretary
Lois MillerVice-chair
Murray GreenwoodPrincipal
Sue BurnsLearning Leader
Greg BiramParent Representative
Lorna BrierleyParent Representative
Karla Kober CairnsParent Representative
Connie BenderParent Representative
Shelley SchoenthalerParent Representative
Cheryl StirrParent Representative
Greg StirrParent Representative
Bonnie YakeParent Representative
Denise WarkParent Representative
Daphne Wise-KleinParent Representative
Dawne ZahorskiParent Representative
- Welcome and Introductions
The Chair welcomed everyone to the March meeting of the Balfour Collegiate Community Council.
- Adoption of the Previous Meeting Minutes
Minutes from the February 5th, 2008 meeting were provided. There were no revisions. A motion to adopt the previous minutes was moved (Bender/Miller) and carried.
- Principal & Learning Leader’s Report
Speaker and Presentation Information
Murraycommented that he provided Tonia with a list of previous speakers and presentationsfrom the Board of Education. This can be reviewed at a later date to see if there is interest in bringing any of them back.
Pilot Project with MacKenzie
Pilot with MacKenzie has been completed. Many questions were answered and it appeared to be a very positive experience. The plan is to expand to other schools next year.
Mirrors for Dance Room
Mirrors, funded through a sponsor, have now been installed in the Dance Room.
Support for ShadValley Candidate
One of Balfour’s students has applied and been accepted to attend Shad Valley, a four week summer enrichment program for top well-rounded students currently completing grade 10, 11, or 12. Students accepted into the program will spend a month living in residence at one of the host university campuses across Canada. Focus includes the sciences, technology and entrepreneurship. The cost is $2500 and covers all program activities, accommodations and meals. It does not cover transportation. A request was made to the Balfour Collegiate Community Council to ask if they would provide any support towards the fees. It was agreed that the request would be tabled until the April meeting. In the interim parents were encouraged to review the ShadValley web site.
Calendar for 2008 – 2009 School Year
Sue Burns confirmed that there was still interest in pursuing a similar calendar format for the 2008 – 2009 school year as what was provided this school year. She has received the file back from the printer that originally produced it and will require Jim Lehrer’s assistance with revising. Suggestions from the group included adding the months of July and August, bigger boxes, and if possible all known school days off. Tonia Hauck and Dawne Zahorski volunteered to help Sue with the calendar.
Diversity Day – March 20th
The theme this year is ‘One Heart, One Beat’. Activities scheduled for this day include a fashion show, ethnic dancers, drummers from Jack MacKenzie, various foods will be available to purchase, and a video called Truth about Hate. If interested in helping out, let Tonia know.
- Treasurer’s Report
It was reported that the figures have not changed from the previous month. There is currently $2365.41in the Balfour School Community Council bank account. This amount does not include the $2,000to be received from the Regina School Board for the purpose of supporting the school which can include pursuing goals related to the Learning Improvement Plan. Clarification was provided that the $2,000 from the Regina School Board will be received each school year versus a one time allotment which had been our understanding. It was noted that the amount of $550 will be deducted from the total to cover the staff appreciation lunch which took place in February. It was suggested that the Chairperson check with the Balfour office administration staff to see if any more funding had been received from registrations.
- Old Business
Constitution
Murray provided a sample to be used for the Balfour Collegiate Community Council and asked that attendees review prior to the next meeting to see if it will meet our needs. This will be added as an agenda item under Old Business at the April meeting.
Community Contact List
Tonia met with the chairs of several school community councils to discuss how we can all work together. She will continue to collaborate with those that share the same ideas and objectives as Balfour. Regarding one of Tonia’s original goals which was to attempt to get a listing of chairs from other schools, this has proved to be somewhat difficult due to the Privacy Act. Murray and Tonia will work together to draft a letter to go to schools outlining our objective of collaboration and ask for contact information at that time.
- New Business
Balfour Tutorial Program
Denise Wark commented on the Balfour Tutorial Program and suggested that students and parents could benefit from hearing about the many successes. It was also asked as to what we could do to support this group and provide more awareness. Denise and Bonnie will work with Murray to add this topic to a future agenda (May?) where a presentation could be provided to parents for education and awareness purposes.
- Handouts/Information Items
Constitution for Balfour Collegiate Community Council, DRAFT 3 – dated October 2, 2007 was provided as a handout to all attendees.
Letter dated March 5, 2008 was received by the Balfour Collegiate Community Council Chair from Russ Marchuk, Regina Board of Education with an attached copy of Renewing Regina Public Schools: Report on Phase 4 Consultations. This document is also available online at
Letter dated March 6, 2008 was received by the Balfour Collegiate Community Council Chair from Don Hoium, Director of Education regarding Regina Public Schools – New Organizational Structure.
- Kudos (koo’doz’)
Definition – praise, credit or glory for exceptional act or achievement.
The following were recognized at the March meeting by one or several members in attendance:
The Balfour Dance Teamand Wrestling Team for their recent performances.
Cheryl Stirr, Lois Miller, Karla Kober Cairns and Dawne Zahorski who dedicated their time to organize and help out with the appreciation luncheon to recognize the staff.
Lorna Brierley, Tonia Hauck, Ron Haughey and Lois Miller who came out to represent the Balfour Collegiate Community Council and provide information and refreshments at the Balfour Open House.
- Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Balfour Parent Community Council is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 7:00 PM. If you have agenda items, please email them to Tonia at
- Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 PM.