North Park Secondary School Council
Next Meeting: Wednesday February 22, 2012 7:00pm
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North Park Secondary School
School Council Meeting
November 30, 2011
Minutes from North Park School Advisory Council Meeting,
Welcome:
J. Smith, P. Geale, C. Hough, S. Lacourciere< S. Sharma
Parents and new members for WWTW Centre connection
Suzanne began the session with a discussion of the academics programs offered at North Park SS, including the new High school specialist major program and IBT & numbers
Discussed the new North Park website - northparkss.peelschools.org
Introduced services provided by the Student Services Department and their use of the website including: many icons, links & work being done on the site
-Introduced “chicklets” i.e My Class, Angel, Making My Way and the general Peel Board site
-Discussed NPSS Agenda/use – advised how distributed this year only to Grade 9 students to assist in organization, planning, time management etc & the many other options open to Grade 10+ students – including school site, technological devices etc
-School Council: available outline, minutes, next meeting & notes re Agenda
-New site is operational & increasing in use
-Teachers have blogs from Vikings site, lessons, work, tests etc, Agenda, Angel, notes
-Advised Grade 10-11 challenges and need to get right courses/marks as may need for university/college entrance etc – mentioned differences between applied/academic courses & Pathway choice – discussed how critical it is to get the right pre-requisite
-Demonstrated the worksheet “Planning Guideline” and use of
-- discussed need to get a “plan” going – tick off as you complete using backward design
-Discussed college/university application process and the importance of seeing counsellor, planning, getting information to students re bursary, scholarships, process in general and keeping counsellor informed so that they in turn can spot any opportunities that might work for student & keep them promptly informed
-- sites discussed such as Making My Way: resources available/currency – clips, peer advice, university/college links
-Career Cruising site discussed (activate with 29040 password) career explorations quiz: suggestions given for use and parental involvement in process – also provides career resources, prospects, links to educational options – suggested students re-visit site in senior year
-Explained about websites on Guidance News section & useful for parents too
-Talked about OYAP and the website – registration for 16-24 yearolds & career possibilities
-Summer school, semester system, night school operations – used by students to achieve success, advance studies, Reach Ahead program
-My Blueprint: similar, but more post secondary school options (note: can do both with Portfolio) activate with “park north”
-Ministry/curriculum discussed – did quiz re Ministry requirements
-First day of school, preparation, use of computers, lunches, school schedule, class sizes, use of electronic devices
-Talked about the Chart Your Course information – coming out soon and the information sessions about it – also course selection process & online process
-Discussed Careers course in general & how career ideas gained there may assist in option selection for Grades11/12
-College: need 7-8 courses at college/university “M” level
-University bound: need package of 6 Grade 12 U or M courses
-Parents/students should know about the college/university grade requirements and discuss: some 70% some 80% range
-Talked about recent PIN# distribution & importance of discussion with counsellor
-Need to have solid package to apply –ie: marks, community service/involvement
-Explained the college options available to students( i.e. certificates, diplomas, pathway to university), agreements between university/college & how pathways are changing
-Mentioned good idea to attend open house sessions offered by college/universities & importance of going with student to see if institution is a “good fit” , look at transportation issues, class size, program offerings – suggested call institution in advance & perhaps arrange to attend a class etc
-Advised about the Ontario Student Assistant Program (OSAP) – loans available to finance education & application process – stressed the importance of retaining most recent tax form
-Explained many scholarship opportunities and bursaries and how Board site is helpful in obtaining up to date information, though arrangement is not in chronological order, but rather in order posted
-Advised about four main sites for scholarship information and advantages/disadvantages of each
-Suggested importance of community involvement in gaining scholarships
-Application season is September-December
-Parent/student conversation re financing their education is advisable
-Discussed volunteer hours & many advantages they give a student – Pat commented on how every year senior students scramble to complete the requirement
-Can see many opportunities available on the peelschools.org site
School Advisory Council minutes are available online & new website and many features including new items & upcoming events, notices from Peel Board, discussed immunization policy, number now down to 75 names and role of Peel Health
-Spoke about the Student Life: This week in pictures – monitors in Caf/Commons
-Discussed Peer tutoring & teacher assistance at lunch
-Highlighted results from 1st semester mid term – featuring 64 students over 90% average and 499 students over 80%
-IBT Information night hosted over 1600 people over the two nights & many student volunteer assisted
-Talked about how secondary school is now only four years now, but how many return to upgrade marks, add courses, gain maturity, gain career information via co-op etc
Discussed meeting date for next session – decided on Wed. Feb.22nd
-Suggested topics: report on Semester 1 student progress