Karen Kain School of the Arts Council

Karen Kain School of the Arts Council

Notes for January 16, 2012

Present:

Connie Freitas, Laura Steele, Susan Meyler, Helene Pfeiffer, Judy Diercks, Jennifer Fraser, Carl Gambacort, Debbie Wadsworth, Julie Bays, Carolyn Madonia, LindaMontgomery, Beatrice Raposo, Robynne Ostry, Giovanna Panzera, Emily Noble, David Meyler, Jocelyn Hamilton

Agenda:

1. Welcome and Introductions

Laura welcomed everyone and was so happy to see such a big turnout.

1. Declaration of Conflict of Interest

No conflicts were declared.

1. Approval of Minutes

Motion to approve Karen Kain School of the Arts Council Minutes from November 14, 2011, Connie. Laura seconded, carried.

4. Approval of Agenda

The order of the Agenda was revised to reflect that student report will move prior to the teacher’s report and both Ms. Panzera and Ms. Noble will speak under teacher’s report.

Motion to approve, Susan. Beatrice seconded, carried.

5. Business and Discussion Items

Masters Preparatory Workshop Report: A handout was provided (attached) on behalf of Alrx Campbell and Sunnie McFadden-Curtis and reviewed. 130 students participated and by all accounts each workshop was well received. Laura requested that someone needs to step forward to organize for next year. If anyone has any interest, please contact Laura.

Musical Mentors – Honorarium Increase?: Debbie explained the purpose of musical mentors to Council. $3000.00 was given to Frank, who headed up Musical Mentors, as an honorarium last year. Mark has taken the role and mentors 15 paying students this year and Debbie presented the idea of giving Mark an honorarium of $3500. This amount came out of a discussion with both Frank and Mark as to what an appropriate amount would be. At this point, Mark does not have any help. It was suggested that Mark or Debbie should contact

KKSA Grads who attend ESA to see if they have some interest in helping out. Council would like to see Mark receive some help with the program and deferred the amount of the honorarium until next meeting. Debbie agreed to verify with Frank any discussions around honorarium amounts and will speak to Mark about the idea of having grads come and help.

KKSA Principal Profile: Connie and Laura provided copies of this Profile (attached). This profile is to be reviewed annually. The following suggestions were made; putting into place opportunities for teacher collaboration and also collaborating decision making model; is supportive of student initiatives. Discussion to review wording around arts focused education – differentiated arts program from 1st page move to improving student achievement. This is very much a work in progress which will continue to be tweaked on a regular basis. This document went out on listserv on January 15th.

6.Student’s Report – Ally and Natalie

Ally, the Deputy Prime Minister and Natalie, the Minister of Communication reported the following:

• Successes – dance, candy grams raised 140.00
• Hot chocolate days – every second Wednesday – sell hot chocolate .50 with own cup.75 if need cup on Jan 25, Feb 8. Feb.22 and March 7
• February – planning valentine’s day dance on valentine’s day
• The Minister of Spirit, Raphaella reports that every second week on Friday’s there will be spirit days. Next Wednesday is crazy hair day.
• Talent show – auditions will be held for March 9’s talent show
• Asked about May Day and whether or not it could happen again –Susan responded to request suggesting that the event was very volunteer heavy, ended up costing us money – Mr. Gambacort will work with student parliament and come back to propose how this student centred day might look like – perhaps look at graduates to come back and help.
• Popcorn – Kernals – bring it back – looking into it

7. Teacher’s Report – Mr. Gambacourt, Ms. Noble and Ms. Panzera

The Grade 8 classes have been working on melodramas in their drama classes. Council viewed a melodrama created by kids in 8a. Parks Canada is running a contest where students can submit videos about one of Canada’s National Parks. Each class has submitted entries. The winning film will get the whole class a 4-day trip to Banff National Park. Ms. Thompson will be working on a blurb to go with each submission. Voting starts on February 1st and a link will be put on the web-site. One can vote once a day.

The Grade 7’s have been busy working on their environmental unit, the grade 5 road shows and the winter concert.

The Grade 8’s will be mentoring the Grade 6 and 7’s in the Math club.

The Girls World has started and is a self-directed self-esteem club.

Mr. Sanyal has started a Dungeons and Dragon.s club

Ms. Noble and Ms.Panzera presented an idea to Council which involves getting our kids involved in social activism – bridging the gaps by experiencing different cultures.

The choir will not be going to Massey Hall this year as they would like to find another venue where the kids can experience different cultures through shared experiences i.e. love of singing.

They have looked at different models that are out there –one program is called Songbridge in Labrador which bridges gaps between cultures – spend a week together – 1st nations groups. Ms. Noble has friend working in Newfoundland – 1st nations group – sing together for a week – 1st nations and not first nations coming together. One experience

Ms. Panzera presented an idea which would involve the Me to We– focused on international raising of money for Kenya

This year’s focus – other initiatives – knitting club – hand items to people in need – bigger initiative 1st nations (all students were interested)

Spoke about remote community in Nunavet and music program – coming together to play music – teach kids how to fiddle – raise money through community choirs, using music to bridge together common knowledge – how do we bring communities together.

Idea – raise awareness of issues – raise money – eventually go to communities – looking for Council’s support, money, grant proposals (youth exchanges program). This would be about experiencing something together. Airplane points, could help travel costs, any contacts…, final concert might include a benefit for this imitative – list of support

Need grant writers, silent action at end of year, research what grants are out there, talking to local businesses to see if there is sponsors out there, aeroplan points – donate them, open to suggestions, perhaps they could help with May Day.

This exchange would happen at the end of next school year. .

Open to choir members next year

Putting on listserv – Ms. Noble and Ms. Panzera will write something up to post on listserv.

8. Principal’s Report - Ms. Pfeiffer

There are 155 applications for entry into KKSA; 40 of them are from boys. 4 workshops will run on February 24th each with instructional leaders

$ 20 000 lead painting project – fortunately KKSA was a recipient for this and the painting is now done.

There are 64 participants in the ski club.

We had 2 coop students in the Fall who have completed their placements. One of the coop students is going to continue to come back weekly to teach dance on Tuesday mornings in exchange for TTC tickets.

8a interviews have started and a new teacher will be starting February 8.

As the Direct donation campaign did not generate as much we were hoping, the teacher’s have re prioritized their wish list. They have reduced it to $ 5500.00 ($ 3000.00 from QSP and $2900.00 from the direct donation).

9. KKSA Finances – $2900.00 from direct donation – will put out another email requesting donations for 2012. The Funscript programs have not t yet been successful. Pizza lunches have been popular – should have a $ 3500 profit by end of year . There are 92 kids annual users. In February, Robyn will be giving a paper copy to kids not using it to give them the option of signing up for the rest of the year.

TreasurerUpdate - Judy has had difficulty setting up the accounting program however now has it on her computer and will start to produce financial statements.

A motion was made to reimburse the software purchase of $ 112.00 for Judy’s computer. Jennifer moved, Debbie seconds, and motion carries.

10.New business

Susan moved to adjourn the meeting at ____. Judy seconds, and motion carries.

Next Meeting: Monday, February 13, 2012

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